In-ground pool owners...

steveinaz

We're finally going to pull the trigger on a built-in pool. I have some questions for those of you who have experience with this stuff. I not totally "pool dumb" as I used to care for peoples pools as a teen, but I'm no expert, and I'm sure technology has changed.

Some specs:

16' x 30' Master pool, kidney bean shaped
3.5' shallow end tapering quickly to 6'
Plaster
No heater
Cartridge filtration

I'm looking at the following option, let me know your thoughts and opinions as wether it's a worthwhile option:

1. Built-in "pop-ups" for cleaning the pool floor in-leiu of a creepy crawly

Are these worth it? ($2500). Anything I should be concerned about? Please make other comments/suggestions as well...ESPECIALLY comments about something you wish you had done with hindsight.

Demiurge

I know where the next Polk Fest is going to be.

Good luck with the new digs.

steveinaz

We're pretty excited. We've been discussing a pool for 5 years, after this hell-hot summer, we're ready.

schwarcw

Congrats on the new pool Steve!:) Just hold th Polk Fest in the Winter. It's too damn hot there in the Summer!:D

My brother always used the crawler. His pool was always very clean.

nadams

Don't get a sand-based filter... they're a huge pain in the ****. Get one of the newer DE filters. They work much better and maintain a cleaner pool to begin with.

My brother started out with a sand filter in his above ground, and he could never keep the PH levels right, he always had to shock it, and it was never really clean. After replacing the sand filter with a DE filter he's had absolutely no problems.

Holydoc

Have you considered SALT water as compared to Chlorine base system? A couple of my friends went salt over chlorine just for the costs. Since this is their first season with the pools, I cannot tell you whether it was easier or harder maintenace.

read-alot

20x40- Sand Filter about 200 bucks a year on Chlorine and other upkeep---NO Problems going on 20 years now. Kreepy Crawly works great.

amulford

I don't know about these pop ups, but we use an auto job the runs right off the filter pump. Does a damn good job.

I'd make sure you can cascade your return water. Your gonna need it.

DE all the way.

Plan on a replaster every ten years. It's not a big deal.

If the design calls for a 1 1/2 hp pump, get a 2 hp. It won't work as hard, and it'll keep it cleaner. Same same for the filter size.

Ther is an internet company called In the Swim. Delivered to the door, all kinds of specials. Can't beat it.

Don't allow plantings near the mechanicals. I'm regretting that one now, can you say blowtorch??? OH yeah, if you want privacy, get a privacy fence. DON'T plant bushes around the fence, (can you say I'm gonna rip those mother f#ckers out of the f.....) Same thing for trees....Mr Tree, say hello to my litlte friend....

Make sure you have an extra 30 or 40 amps of electric, unless the pool will be right close to the house. It's easier to go from that box than to bring another feed all the way from....

If you are going to deck it out, whether concrete or pavers, PLAN PLAN PLAN. Make sure you get everthing in the ground first, and do it to last a thousand years. You wouldn't beleive what a pain in the **** it is to go back...

They can be a pain in the ****, sometime. But I have to admit the benefits outweigh the problems. Had ours for, oh hell I don't even know how old it is.

szhleppy

Just had a pool put in last year Steve. I was deadset on the "pop-up" cleaners, but EVERYONE told me to stay away from them...especially those who had them. They will clean if you give them enough time, but primarily just blow the **** around on the bottom of the pool. I settled on a Polaris ATV and it works great.

A couple of other things to keep in mind:

1. Pentair equipment is consistently regarded as some of the best stuff out there.
2. I went with an Ozone water purifier...although pessimistic at first, I have been really pleased with it.

I'll look through the pool file later and add anything else that I found helpful last year...I spent quite a bit of time researching this before I settled.

polrbehr

I'd go with a Crawler -type cleaner. $300 ->$1000 around here, depending on type and mfr.
Also, run your filter (DE preferred!) mostly at night, and spend the money and put the thing on a timer. We go 6 hrs. / day, 1 1/2HP pump. Clear as a bell.
+1 to what amulford says re: trees and plantings.
Good luck with your project.

steveinaz

Thanks fellas. here are more stats:

1. Cartridge filter system
2. Ozonator

There won't be any tree(s) near it, and no plantings.

- Anthony, what do you mean by "cascade?" There are "oversizing" the pump adquately. Thanks for the URL.
- Courtney, appreciate the assistance
- Holydoc, the salt water systems are very intriguing...I'm still researching this.

As far as layout; our yard is small, so it will be simple. We're gonna do "cool deck" and have extra poured for a chair area an access to the patio.

Thanks everyone...if you can think of any other pitfalls, suggestions, etc, please share.

disneyjoe7

Steve,

I would do SALT system cost about $1200 // skip the built in cleaner thing. creepy crawly is OK cool, the salt system will same you chlorine and other pool stuff.

joeparaski

Holydoc wrote:

Have you considered SALT water as compared to Chlorine base system? A couple of my friends went salt over chlorine just for the costs. Since this is their first season with the pools, I cannot tell you whether it was easier or harder maintenace.

We put in a new 27' above ground pool this year and I went with the salt system.....so far so good. The system is available for above and in-ground pools. This is the model I got....http://goldlinecontrols.com/

With the salt water system, my skin feels more "refreshed", my eyes don't burn, the bathing suits don't get the white chlorine lines in them, it doesn't affect colored hair (not that I have any hair to worry about) and the pool is pretty much maintenance free and crystal clear.

I balked at the $1000 cost, but so far, I'm very happy with it.

I know someone who uses this system in his in-ground pool, he also runs a heater and he actually has salt-water fish in his pool. So if you like to swim with colorful fishies, this is the way to go.

Joe

shepx2

I have a good friend who swears by her saltwater system. While I have never used it, she says that everyone who has used it loved it. Apparantly it's no where near as salty as ocean water, which is what alot of people (myself included) think of when told about it.

She figured it paid for itself in just a couple years, over the chlorine type.

steveinaz

Thats what I've read. It's barely at the threshold of human taste. Supposedly your PH remains balanced as well.

wingnut4772

If I end up keeping my house:eek: someday I would like to get a salt water filter. They are supposed to be better on the pool and the people.

joeparaski

Yes I suppose I should have mentioned that it's not like you're in the oceon or anything like that. You just barely taste it. I really haven't found anything negative to say about it. The read-out on the control box gives you the ppm reading, and a little know allows you to dial-in more or less chorine production. You still need to test your water as usual.

szhleppy

My pool is roughly the same size you are looking at Steve. A couple more things:

1. Make sure you define where you want sleeves on the master drawing. I have 1 - bball, 2 - volleyball, and 1 - umbrella sleeve in the sitting area of the pool.
2. I went with Ultra-Poz on the interior, which is much smoother than even Pebbletec's Pebblesheen product, and is a great color.
3. I have a 2HP pump for the pool, and added an extra 1HP for the water feature. This is probably unnecessary, and I was told it was, but did it anyways.
4. I have a remote for the pool light and water feature. Definitely spring for this.
5. I was determined to go with salt initially, but went with an Ozonator after talking to a lot of people that have owned both types. If you go this direction, do not install a Del brand (they don't hold up well in the summer heat...I've already had mine replaced under warranty). Apparently, Water Standard makes a solid product that lasts forever.
6. The acrylic decking was just as expensive as pavers, and I don't think it looks as nice as pavers would have. The advantage to acrylic is that it stays a couple of degrees cooler, and is designed so that only a minimal part of your foot is in contact with the surface when you walk on it (at least that is the **** story I got).
7. Take a lot of pictures during the construction process! It's fun to look back and remember how pissed off you were when your yard was torn to ****.

I'm going to have the landscaping done this fall, and this will be installed in most of the backyard along with some "pool friendly" trees and plants:
http://www.k9grass.com/

Have fun...and keep in mind that this is a major construction project.

brettw22

steveinaz wrote:

Thats what I've read. It's barely at the threshold of human taste. Supposedly your PH remains balanced as well.

Friend of mine in AZ had the saltwater and I had never heard of it before I saw his. It's cool and you can open your eyes under water and no problem (saline basically)......

He had the blowers and he loves them. They sweep everything to the bottom vent and it all gets sucked in after that. I didn't talk to him much about them other than what are those things doin blah blah.....

disneyjoe7

Some other things to consider since I've 2 pools built. Salt is easier to maintain to pool doesn't get off balance as easy vs. a non salt pool. Pump size is important but this will effect electric bill so 1.5hp is fine 1hp is to small and a 2hp is to large. Plumping size is important 2" piping all around is more important then a larger pump. Filter size is important also so 100gpm+, so a large pump / small piping / small filter will rise head pressure electric bill and not move the water for filtering.

BTW I can run my salt an unbelievable 6hr a day vs. 10 or 12hr day in my non salt pool. You could flip a coin on filter types cartage or DE your choice here.

Paul in Canada

We decided to get one this spring as well. We had been talking about it for several years and saving some money. Haven't saved as much money as I would have liked to but I had a couple of people tell me to get the pool now while your children are still young so I said F' it lets get a pool. We decided to get an inground 18 x 36 with the salt water system. I'm still waiting for them to come and install it, should be in the middle of August. We might get a month to swim in it before we have to close it up for the winter but it will be there next spring (no waiting next year). Good luck with your pool, post some pics when it is done.

steveinaz

Thanks all. I appreciate the advice..I'm really sold on this salt water idea, everything I'm reading about it is positive.

read-alot

I would like to switch over to the salt but its got a 40,000 gallon max volume.Mine is at 46k.

It would be nice not to worry about the golden retriever drinking the chlorinated water.

steveinaz

Holy smokes 46k gallons! Ours calculates out to about 13,200.

venomclan

Steve,
I too recommend the salt system. We bought a house last year that had a pool. I had to use clorine at first and it was a pain keeping the levels high. The clorine is also expensive. The salt system is expensive at first to put in but is really cheap after that.

My father works for a pool company and has many years experience with pools. He also installs pool equipment on the side. He talked me into a salt system and put it in himself. He uses one too. The pop-up system you describe sounds like a Caretaker system. If so, it is an older technology. My pool had that system when I bought the house and when we re-did the pool, we eliminated that system becuase my father said it was not that good and is a pain. We now use the creepy-crawler (barracude G3) like he does. Be sure to put a vaccum line in the middle of the pool so the creepy can get around better.

I get all my pool stuff wholesale through the company he works for and installation free so I do not mind getting the better stuff. Good luck and send some pics when it is done.
Venom

BIZILL

READ-ALOT must have a commercial or olympic-sized pool. pool party?

steve, stay away from the pop-up blowers. only one person i know of has ones that still work. mine have been de-commissioned as a kreepy-krualy was utilized before i bought the house. most take the poppers out and that leaves a bunch of huge holes all around the bottom. toe death traps. and whoever's bright idea it was to have a bunch of citrus trees in mine and neighbors' backyards should be shot.

also, i loathe chlorine, and it's what i've got. as well, sell your motorcycles and use the money to intall a built-in jacuzzi to compliment the pool. you can thank me later.:cool:

BIZILL

how are you getting in the smaller back-hoes? i don't remember if you had large gates that allow entry into the backyard.

steveinaz

We've got an RV gate on the right side of the house. I will have to remove 1 small tree, thankfully it was only 40 bucks.

BIZILL

steve, how's 'bout them storms saturday and last night? geez, i got my first roof leak over my master shower stall.

Skynut

We are getting a pool put in right now.

I did not get the salt system and in fact never evne heard of it. (something to look into now)

We are adding tiles to the steps and benches. we thought of it after all the paperwork was done and they wanted to charge us a change fee. They didn't.

The tiles match the waterline tile and are just to make the steps and benches more noticeable so nobody dives onto a step.

We also got an aucapulco step; this is a big flat level about 18" deep for a second step. This is a place for the dogs to stand or a small lounge chair to sit.

If I did it again I would have put another aucapulco entrance just off the deep end.

When they did the initial dig they put the plumbing too close to the side fence (where the shed will go) and too far away from the back fence. (too close to the middle of the yard) I made them re-locate them after many arguements.

They also sold me on an additional future water feature, $250.00. They said it could not be added after construction.
B.S.
When all was said and done all they did was add a pipe. (like I was going to do) So when we complained they upgraded our pump to a 2 hp unit and will plumb the additional feature for me. (I was supposed to add a pump later)

Make sure everything is right before you sign, once you sign they want money to change anything.
Make sure the pump and any other features are right where you want them on the print. If not they may be in the way later when you go to finnish the yard.

Good luck

BIZILL

if you do eventually decide to add a kreepy or barracuda or what not, be sure to plan the steps so as to allow for the machine to not get STUCK!!!:mad: