In episode # 304 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and Zac "The Pool Boy" Nicholas sit down with Jeremy Young and Orlando Gadea from Fluidra to reveal one of the biggest pool industry technology launches in years: the all-new AquaLink Edge platform.

This isn't just another automation panel. Fluidra shares how AquaLink Edge is built around edge computing, smarter equipment communication, local processing, enhanced homeowner experiences, and a future ecosystem designed to help pool professionals run more efficient and profitable businesses.

The conversation dives deep into automation, connected equipment, wireless communication, AI-driven pool management, smarter service operations, and how Tracker IO is helping transform the way pool companies manage routes, inventory, service calls, and customer experiences.

Whether you're a pool service professional, builder, repair technician, retailer, or industry leader, this episode provides an exclusive first look at where pool technology is heading and how it will impact your business over the next decade.

00:00 Introduction & Welcome

02:00 Meet Fluidra's Jeremy Young & Orlando Gadella

06:00 Heritage Pro Service Academy & Pool Pro Challenge Updates

08:00 Jeremy's Journey: From Pool Construction to Fluidra Innovation

15:00 Why Education & Training Matter in the Pool Industry

24:00 Orlando's Background in Digital Technology & Why He Joined Fluidra

27:00 The Official AquaLink Edge Reveal

28:00 Edge Computing vs Cloud Computing Explained

30:00 Creating Better Pool Owner Experiences

32:00 New In-Can Display & Home Display Features

35:00 Why Pool Automation Must Work Without Internet

40:00 Built-In Flow Monitoring & Smarter Equipment Control

43:00 Five Years of Development Behind AquaLink Edge

47:00 Easier Setup, Faster Installation & Wireless Communication

52:00 Personalized Access for Homeowners, Service Pros & Airbnb Properties

56:00 Service Mode Improvements & Smart Notifications

01:03:00 Wireless Equipment Discovery & Future Product Ecosystem

01:08:00 Customer Experience vs Traditional Automation

01:15:00 The Future of Connected Pool Equipment

01:19:00 Tracker IO & The Future of Pool Service Management

01:27:00 How Data Will Transform Pool Businesses

01:32:00 Future Integration Between Pool Builders & Service Companies

01:35:00 AquaLink Edge Release Timeline & Launch Plans

01:37:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

A special thank you to our Visionary Partners for supporting Pool Nation and helping us elevate the pool industry through education, training, and community:

• The SPPA
• BluRay XL
• AquaStar Pool Products
• Natural Chemistry
• Raypak
• Heritage Pool Supply Group
• Hayward Pool Products
• Poolside Tech
• Pool Brain
• Nidec / US Motors
• Encore Brands
• OnCore Filtration

Your commitment to pool professionals helps us continue delivering world-class education and content to the industry.

Episode 302 of the Pool Nation Podcast

What if your pool business has been warning you about bigger problems... and you just haven’t been listening?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John “JJ Flawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” Nicholas dive deep into one of the most important business conversations pool pros can have: the signals your business sends you every single day.

From burnout and busy work to growth plateaus, employee problems, customer issues, and financial blind spots, the guys break down why so many pool companies mistake movement for progress. This episode sets the stage for a powerful multi-part conversation on how to recognize the warning signs before they become major business problems.

They also discuss: → The illusion of success in the pool industry → Why growth without systems creates chaos → The importance of listening to your numbers and team → How experienced business owners identify patterns before disasters happen → Why “one pool at a time” thinking can limit long-term growth → Pool Nation Boot Camps and the $25,000 Pool Pro Challenge → Encore Filtration’s Dirty Filter Contest → The Heritage Pro Service Academy in Van Nuys, California

If you’re a pool service professional trying to scale your company, improve profitability, build a stronger team, or simply avoid burnout, this episode is packed with real talk and business insight from three pool pros who have lived it.

00:00 – Pool Nation Podcast Intro 01:00 – Zac gets Edgar sick 03:00 – John talks family, graduation season & podcast studio plans 07:30 – International Swimming Hall of Fame experience 12:00 – The hidden importance of pool pros in the swimming industry 16:30 – Heritage Pro Service Academy announcement 18:00 – $25,000 Pool Pro Challenge qualifiers 20:00 – Pool Nation Awards updates & category changes 21:00 – Encore Filtration Dirty Filter Contest 24:00 – Edgar’s AI-generated “Smokey and the Bandit” John photo 29:30 – Sponsor break 34:30 – Zac discusses rebuilding and refining The Pool Boys brand 36:30 – Why successful businesses never stop evolving 39:00 – Your business is talking to you every day 41:00 – Listening to the warning signs in your company 44:00 – Fixing problems vs solving root causes 49:00 – The illusion of success in pool service businesses 52:00 – Why busy does not equal productive 54:00 – The danger of comparing your business to others 56:00 – Scaling too fast and losing control 57:00 – Final thoughts on business growth and self-awareness 01:07:00 – Closing remarks

A huge thank you to our sponsors and partners who continue supporting the pool industry and Pool Nation:

→ SPPA → BlueRay XL → AquaStar Pool Products → Natural Chemistry → Raypak → Heritage Pool Supply → Hayward Pool Products → Poolside Tech → Pool Brain → Nidec / US Motors → OnCore Filtration → Encore Brands

Your continued support helps us educate, inspire, and elevate pool professionals everywhere.

Join us in Van Nuys, California for the Heritage Pro Service Academy powered by Pool Nation.

Hands-on training includes: → Heater installation & troubleshooting → Automation setup → Variable speed motor training → Pump installation → Cool deck application → Live Pool Pro Challenge qualifiers

Registration is FREE thanks to the Heritage Education Fund.

Visit PoolNation.com to register today.

Think you’ve found the dirtiest pool filter in the industry?

Submit your worst filter photos and videos for a chance to win cash and prizes from Encore Filtration.

In Episode 301 of the Pool Nation Podcast, we bring you a special “Best Of Pool Nation” compilation featuring some of the most impactful conversations, emotional moments, business lessons, and industry insights from the podcast.

From pool business growth strategies and operational efficiency to powerful conversations about water safety, leadership, and industry innovation, this episode highlights why Pool Nation continues to be the leading voice for pool professionals across the country.

You’ll hear incredible discussions with industry leaders from Heritage Pool Supply, AquaStar Pool Products, Terry Arko, Steve Barnes, and more as we dive into topics that every pool pro, service company owner, repair technician, and industry professional can relate to.

This episode covers: → Pool route efficiency and operational growth → Building stronger pool businesses → Leadership and mentorship in the pool industry → Water safety awareness and Every Child A Swimmer → Pool industry innovation and training → Pool Nation Hall of Fame stories → Business systems, scaling, and profitability → The future of pool industry education

If you're a pool service company owner, pool technician, builder, retailer, or manufacturer looking to grow your business and stay connected to the pulse of the swimming pool industry, this episode is packed with valuable insight and inspiration.

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:00 – Heritage Pool Supply leadership and behind-the-counter perspectives 10:00 – Transitioning into the pool industry and learning the business 18:00 – Retail management, distribution, and customer relationships 24:00 – AquaStar partnership and Every Child A Swimmer initiative 42:00 – Casey’s emotional water safety story and drowning prevention awareness 52:00 – AquaStar’s mission and pool safety innovation 58:00 – Pool Nation Hall of Fame special segment with Terry Arko & Steve Barnes 1:10:00 – Industry recognition, education, and legacy building 1:24:00 – Pool business operational efficiency discussion 1:33:00 – Route optimization and maximizing profitability 1:41:00 – Time management and scaling a pool service business 1:44:00 – Closing thoughts and Pool Nation community updates

A huge thank you to all of our incredible sponsors and visionary partners who continue to support Pool Nation, pool industry education, and the growth of pool professionals across the country. Your partnership helps us continue building the #1 platform for swimming pool service, repair, business, and leadership education.

→ Heritage Pool Supply Group → AquaStar Pool Products → Raypak → Natural Chemistry → BlueRay XL → Hayward Pool Products → US Motors → SPPA → Poolside Tech → Pool Brain → OnCore Filtration → Encore Brands

In Episode 300 of the Pool Nation Podcast Edgar and John sit down with Mike from Quick Shop Pools and Bellafina Outdoors to talk about the future of pool construction, pool design, and pool business mentorship. If you are a pool service pro, pool builder, or pool business owner looking to grow, this is the pool podcast episode you cannot miss.

Mike spent 20 years in law enforcement working federal fugitive task forces, including the team that helped apprehend Whitey Bulger, before going all in on the pool industry. Today, he runs one of the most innovative pool construction companies and pool design showrooms in the country out of Huntington Beach, California. Pool pros who have walked through Bellafina Outdoors are calling it the Disneyland of pool design.

We also welcome Luz, Director of Operations at Bellafina, who brings over 20 years of brand and marketing experience into the pool industry, plus Thomas from PAL Lighting and Michelle from Heritage Pool Supply for a full Pool Nation studio conversation on pool builder education, customer experience, and elevating the pool trade for the next generation of pool pros.

IN THIS POOL NATION PODCAST EPISODE: - How Mike built a pool construction business from the ground up - The real story behind the Whitey Bulger fugitive apprehension - How the 2008 crash shaped a new vision for the pool industry - Why pool builder mentorship is the missing piece in pool construction - The Bellafina Pro Academy and the future of pool builder education - How to deliver a true pool design experience to homeowners - Why collaboration beats competition in the pool industry - Heritage Pool Supply's quarterly open house partnership with Bellafina

POOL NATION PODCAST TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 02:00 Thank you to our Pool Nation sponsors and partners 08:30 Meet Mike from Quick Shop Pools and Bellafina Outdoors 10:30 Heritage Pro Service Academy pool boot camp June 6 in Van Nuys 14:30 From law enforcement to the pool industry 16:30 The Whitey Bulger story behind one of America's biggest fugitive captures 21:30 Surviving the 2008 crash and launching a new pool design model 25:00 Why mentorship for younger pool builders matters 30:00 Inside the Disneyland of pool design showrooms 38:00 Why healthy competition makes the entire pool industry stronger 46:00 Industry tea: big changes coming to the pool industry 47:30 Luz on bringing fresh marketing talent into the pool world 58:00 Thomas from PAL Lighting on pool and landscape lighting design 01:08:00 The Outdoor Plus partnership and the tower of fire bowls 01:13:00 Introducing the Bellafina Pro Academy for pool builders 01:17:30 Heritage Pool Supply quarterly open house at Bellafina 01:24:30 Final thoughts for pool pros

THANK YOU TO OUR POOL NATION PODCAST SPONSORS: SPPA, Blueray XL, AquaStar Pool Products, Natural Chemistry, Raypak, Hayward Pool Products, EnCore Brands Heritage Pool Supply Group, Pool Brain, Poolside Tech, Nidec OnCore Filtration

In Episode 299 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar, John “JJ Flawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” break down one of the most important conversations every pool pro needs to hear — the signals your business is sending you every single day.

From pricing mistakes and route inefficiencies to hiring too late and chasing the wrong growth, this episode dives deep into the real challenges pool service companies face — and how to fix them.

But that’s not all…

🚨 BIG NEWS: The Pool Pro Challenge just leveled up — now officially a $20,000+ competition (and pushing toward $25K) thanks to industry partners like BioLab and ProGuard.

If you’re serious about scaling your pool business, increasing profitability, and building something sustainable — this episode is a must-listen.

• Why more pools doesn’t always mean more profit
• The hidden cost of poor route density and wasted drive time
• How growth exposes every weak system in your business
• When to hire (and why waiting can cost you thousands)
• How to build additional revenue streams right in your customers’ backyards
• Why branding builds trust — not just recognition
• The real reason most pool businesses plateau
• How top pool pros are scaling to hundreds (even thousands) of pools

• The Pool Pro Challenge Prize Pool jumps to $20K+ (on the way to $25K)
• Upcoming Heritage Pro Service Academy hands-on training event
• Launch of Pool Nation certifications
• New Pool Nation Spotlights featuring real pool pros scaling their businesses

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:00 – What your business is really telling you 02:30 – AI, technology, and adapting in today’s world 05:00 – Real talk: health, burnout, and the grind 12:30 – Heritage Pro Service Academy announcement 15:00 – Creating new revenue streams (cool deck, services, upsells) 19:00 – 🚨 Pool Pro Challenge hits $20K+ 23:00 – Why this prize money is a game changer 31:00 – Pool Nation Spotlights: real growth stories 45:00 – Top 10 lessons from successful pool pros 54:00 – Route density and profitability breakdown 57:00 – Hiring mistakes and the cost of bad employees 01:00:00 – Scaling vs staying small: choosing your path 01:05:00 – Final thoughts and key takeaways 01:17:00 – Outro

A huge thank you to our incredible partners who make this podcast possible:

• SPPA
• BlueRay XL
• AquaStar Pool Products
• Natural Chemistry
• Raypak
• Heritage Pool Supply
• ONCore
• Hayward Pool Products
• Poolside Tech
• Pool Brain
• Neodeck
• Encore Filtration

👉 Want to grow your business faster? Visit PoolNation.com and get plugged into training, events, and the community that’s changing the industry.

In Episode 298 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar and Zac are joined by industry experts Robbie Walker and Michael Viegas from Solenis to break down one of the most misunderstood areas in the pool industry — spa, hot tub, and cold plunge water chemistry.

If you’ve ever treated a spa like a pool… this episode will change everything.

We dive deep into:

• Why hot water chemistry behaves completely differently
• The truth about biofilm, bacteria, and “human juice” in spas
• The real differences between chlorine, bromine, and biguanide systems
• How aeration, temperature, and bather load destroy your chemistry
• Why your sanitizer disappears overnight
• The rise of cold plunges and wellness systems
• And how pool pros can turn spas into a profitable service category

This is a must-listen for pool service pros, repair techs, and anyone looking to level up their understanding of water chemistry — especially in smaller bodies of water like spas and hot tubs.

👉 Bottom line: If you're not treating spas differently, you're doing it wrong.

00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Pool Nation Podcast 02:30 – Meet the Guests: Robbie Walker & Michael Viegas (Solenis) 06:45 – Why Spa Chemistry is NOT Pool Chemistry 10:20 – History of Spas: From Romans to Modern Hot Tubs 15:30 – The Rise of Cold Plunges & Wellness Trends 20:10 – The 3 Biggest Differences in Spa Water Chemistry 25:40 – Bather Load: The Truth About “Human Juice” 30:15 – Chlorine vs Bromine vs Biguanide (What Actually Works Best) 38:20 – Why Your Sanitizer Disappears in Hot Water 42:10 – Aeration, Jets & pH Drift Explained 47:30 – Shocking & Oxidation: What You SHOULD Be Doing 52:45 – Biofilm: The Hidden Problem in Every Spa 58:10 – Drain, Purge & Refill: The Right Maintenance Schedule 1:03:20 – Enzymes, Borates & Supplements (What’s Worth It?) 1:08:15 – Ozone, UV & Mineral Systems (Do They Replace Chlorine?) 1:12:30 – Final Thoughts: The Future of Spa & Wellness Industry

A huge thank you to our Visionary Partners for supporting the Pool Nation Podcast:

• The SPPA
• Blu-Ray XL
• AquaStar Pool Products
• Natural Chemistry
• Raypak
• Heritage Pool Supply
• Hayward Pool Products
• Poolside Tech
• Pool Brain
• Nidec
• OnCore Filtration
• EnCore Brands

We appreciate your continued support in helping us grow the pool industry and build a nation of pool pros.

In Episode 297 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John “JJFlawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” sit down with Jose Perez, founder of Encore Filtration also now officially known as The Duke of Dirty Filters.

This episode goes deep into one of the most overlooked yet critical components of pool service: filtration and why it directly impacts water quality, efficiency, customer trust, and profitability.

Jose shares his journey from air filtration into the pool industry, why most pool pros are losing money on filters without realizing it, and how innovation, pricing strategy, and protecting the service professional are reshaping the industry.

This isn’t just a product conversation it’s a business conversation about margins, competition from online retailers, and what it really takes to build a sustainable pool service company.

If you’re a pool pro, service company owner, or industry professional this episode will change how you think about filtration, pricing, and long-term growth.

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:30 – Introducing Jose Perez (Encore Filtration) 04:15 – Why filtration is overlooked in the pool industry 08:20 – Jose’s background: From air filtration to pool innovation 13:45 – Taking the leap into entrepreneurship (no customers, no guarantees) 18:30 – The biggest gaps in the pool filtration market 23:10 – The real problem: Online pricing vs. service profitability 29:40 – Why protecting pool pros matters (and why most manufacturers don’t) 36:15 – The truth about margins, pricing, and customer trust 42:00 – Innovation beyond the product: thinking differently 48:20 – The FIT Kit concept (solving real field problems) 54:10 – How to build loyalty through customer experience 59:30 – The future of filtration & industry standards 1:05:20 – Technology center & raising the bar in testing 1:10:45 – Why “good is not good enough” in business 1:15:30 – Final thoughts & lessons for pool pros 1:18:00 – The birth of “The Duke of Dirty Filters”

• Filtration isn’t just maintenance it’s a profit center
• Competing with online pricing is one of the biggest threats to pool pros
• Innovation isn’t just products it’s customer experience + business strategy
• The companies that win will be the ones that protect the trade
• If you’re not improving, you’re falling behind good is not good enough

We want to thank our amazing Pool Nation Visionary Partners for making this podcast possible:

• The SPPA
• Blu-Ray XL
• AquaStar Pool Products
• Natural Chemistry
• Raypak EnCore Brands
• Heritage Pool Supply
• Hayward Pool Products
• Poolside Tech
• Pool Brain
• Nidec
• Encore Filtration

Follow us for more content, training, and industry insights:

• Website: PoolNation.com
• Instagram: @PoolNationPodcast
• Podcast: Pool Nation Podcast