A Holiday Message from Clay Nelson

ByMatt Gohlke November 26, 2014August 13, 2026 Gohlke Pools Blog Reading Time: 3 minutes

claynelsonlifebalance.com

Family togetherness during the holiday season is something we look forward to, and often dread all at the same time. Ask 100 people why that is, and you will probably get 100 different answers that can all be wrapped up into one core thought, which is: Expectations! We each have our own expectation of what the holidays will bring to us and what they should look like. Yet, your picture-perfect expectations are not the same as other’s expectations, and you can end up in this sort of mess of unspoken worry and make-wrongs. So, would you like to give all-of-this up, and embrace the holidays for what they are meant to be? Following is some advice in how to do so:

#1: Get grounded in what it is you love about your family and the time you spend together.

Yes, even those we love most can get on our last nerve, which means we have to get present to what it is we love about our family and embrace them for who they are, not for what we wish they would be. You often have to look for the gold and the fun in everything. You may have to dig, but it’s there!

#2: Communicate fully and completely… which includes listening.

You never know what you may learn!

#3: Let go of your ego.

Are you still holding a 10-year old grudge? Have you been judgmental of someone else and need to let it go? If you want to be accepted no matter what, then you have to be the same for others!

#4: Keep it simple!

Spending time with our families is not about whose child is dressed the best or the most well behaved…

Spending time with our families is not about who has the loudest pipes on their Harley…

Spending time with our families is not about who makes the best chocolate cake! Let go of the feeling that everything must be perfect, so when it isn’t you won’t be disappointed!

Family; we can’t live with them and we can’t live without ‘em! It is one of those things we wrestle with when it comes to balancing who we are and what we need versus what the family needs. And in truth, we all need a sense of “family.” Family bonds go a long way in providing us with a sense of well-being and belonging! So, in this upcoming season of frantic “family” togetherness, remember this quote from George Moore:

“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.”

Matt Gohlke

Matt has been around the pool business since he was born. When he graduated college in 1984, he joined the family business working for Gohlke Pool Supply. The following year Matt and his father formed a partnership, Gohlke Custom Pools, and started offering pool construction.

Gohlke Pools Blog

Pump Settings to Reduce Electricity Costs
ByMatt Gohlke June 27, 2013

5 Ways to Dial in Your Swimming Pool Pump to Reduce Electricity Costs Run your pump long enough to achieve at least one full turnover per day. Depending on the horsepower of your pump and the size of your pool you can figure out what the bare minimum of pump run time would be (all numbers are estimated): ¾ HP pump – turns 4,000 gallons per hour, 1 HP pump – turns 4,500 gallons per hour, 1.5 HP pump – turns 4,750 gallons per hour, 2 HP pump – turns 5,250 gallons per hour, Variable speed pump – varies depending on set speed Since electricity is still cheaper than algaecide, you need to run the pump when the sun is directly above the pool. If…

Read More Pump Settings to Reduce Electricity Costs
Gohlke Pools Blog

Eye & Skin Irritation
ByMatt Gohlke August 18, 2011

What causes this eye & skin irritation? We have been raised hearing the phrase “too much chlorine”. This is not usually the cause of eye or skin irritation in swimming pools. Most often eye and skin irritation is caused by one of the following: Insufficient sanitizer levels – Although swimmers often complain that the chlorine is burning their eyes or irritating their skin, it is, in fact, usually a sign that there is not enough chlorine in the pool. When nitrogen and hypochlorous acid combine, chloramines (spent chlorine) are formed. The chloramines no longer kill bacteria and the water smells bad, giving off a chlorine-like smell. These chloramines also tend to irritate the eyes. When this occurs, the chloramines must be oxidized by the use…

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Gohlke Pools Blog

The Pool at Graceland
ByMatt Gohlke January 23, 2011

I went to Washington, D.C. this past week for a swimming pool conference. When I was in one of my meetings, the conversation turned to the history of swimming pools at the White House. More about that pool next week. But the conversation reminded me of a vacation that my family and I took when my kids were younger. I never thought that I would do it. I had often laughed about it when other people talked about it. A few years ago my wife, my two young sons, and I found ourselves with 4 hours to kill in Memphis, Tennessee. My wife suggested that we visit Graceland—the home of Elvis Presley. In a weak moment, I cratered. I agreed to go under one condition—no…

Read More The Pool at Graceland
Gohlke Pools Blog

5 Tips to Help You Get Your Pool Ready
ByGohlke Pools March 19, 2026June 1, 2026

The weather has really warmed up recently and it appears that the cold weather is now behind us. We can almost be assured that we have had the last freeze of winter 2025/2026, as our average last freeze is on March 12th, and there does not appear to be any cold weather in the long-range forecast. What does this mean to pool owners? It means that now is the time to begin preparing your swimming pool for the summer. Algae grows best between pH levels of 7 and 9 and algae growth really begins to increase at water temperatures of 60 degrees. With pool water pH levels being in that pH range, and with pool water temperatures in the Denton area in the mid 60’s,…

Read More 5 Tips to Help You Get Your Pool Ready
Gohlke Pools Blog

Upcoming Pool Schools
ByMatt Gohlke May 23, 2019

As a service to pool owners in the DFW area, we provide the following seminars. Pool School This is a great opportunity for you to learn how to properly maintain your pool saving you time and money. Topics include: Basic Pool Operation and Terminology Basic Equipment Maintenance Water Chemistry Algae Prevention Basic Troubleshooting Upcoming seminar dates: June 8th, July 13th, August 10th, September 14th, & November 16th. (All are Saturdays and all are at 10am) Length of seminar: approximately one hour Registration required: call (940) 384-7665 Basic POLARIS POOL cleaner repairs Having Polaris Pool Cleaner problems and want to learn how to make repairs to it? This one hour class will help you solve the common Polaris problems such as: Not cleaning the entire pool…

Read More Upcoming Pool Schools
Articles | Gohlke Pools Blog

Pool Heaters: Heat that Cool Water!
ByMatt Gohlke October 19, 2022

The weather has been wonderful as of late—we have had our share of warm days, but it is starting to cool down considerably, as has pool water. We certainly do not know what the future holds as far as weather goes, but rest assured that 85-degree pool water is over for this year. Average pool water temperatures in the Denton area are now in the high 60’s to low 70’s—of course this depends on if the pool is shaded, if it has a dark surface, etc. According to the National Oceanographic Data Center, 70-78 degrees is where most people feel comfortable swimming. I am not sure who “most people” are, but from what I have observed, 70-78 degrees is a bit cold for most of…

Read More Pool Heaters: Heat that Cool Water!

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