fiann1

I have been installing fiberglass pools for 25 years. In order to give you a decent recommendation on who to choose for a manufacturer it all depends on what area you live in. I live in northern NJ. If you have any recommendations I would greatly appreciate it. Also, I am thinking of going "heat pump" rather then a gas heater. Do you recommend any manufacturer over another? Oh and as long as were talking pools - how about the salt water filters? The salt water chlorine generators work very well. The only down side to them is that once the water temperature gets below about 58 degrees they don't work. Heat pumps work out OK as long as you have a decent amount of humidity in the air. They are more expensive up front and I don't believe that they are as energy efficient as the natural gas or propane heaters. In regards to recommendations for manufacturers in your area:Aloha, Viking, Leisure, San Juan, CPC, and Waterworld are among the major manufacturers of quality fiberglass swimming pools in this country. Every one of them will tell you why their pool is better than others and how their gel coat, ultra granicote ceramic core etc. etc. is by far superior to anything else on the market. The truth of it is that they are all good quality products but the most important key to all is to have the right person install your pool. If the pool is not leveled correctly or back filled properly your going to have trouble. The manufacturer may say they warranty the pool for lifetime or for 25 years but the warranty only covers defects due to manufacturing and there is really no warranty on the installation of the shell. So a fiberglass pool is only as good as the person installing the pool. Don't get in a rush to make a decision, it's still a little cold in your part of the country. Ask every salesman that comes to your house to provide you with at least 10 local references from customers they built pools for during the last year. Call the people, go see their pools and get a feel for how they were treated and if they were happy with the final result. Take a good look at the person that comes out to sell you the pool. If you are real lucky the same guy that sells you the pool is the same guy that's going to put the pool in for you and he knows what he is talking about and gives you straight answers to your questions. Once again the most important thing that you can do to try and make the right decision is to talk to people that recently had these companies build their pool. I wish I would've read your post BEFORE I hired the hack that installed my San Juan pool. It's 1 1/2" off level and that irritates the heck out of me. He said he'd shoot a level on it before he back filled it. Apparently not. In the 'beach entry area" he didn't sufficiently back fill it and it sounds and feels hollow when you step into the pool. There's no backfill under it. Another irritation. THEN, the .5" distance between the bottom of the bullnose coping and the top of the tile line, he squirted grey silicone sealer. It's peeling off now. VERY ametuerish. I could've done a better job. I should've taken his suggestion that I do it myself when he suggessted it. Apparently he knew that this was his first pool....or so it seemed.

I have a San Juan pool. The only reason why I have fading, is because I slowed the pump down (dumb idea.....first pool - learning) and left town - result?? Algae that was a real chore to take off. I had to use a chemical (don't remember the name) to get it off. It's all good now, but I actually incited this thing myself. I don't know where you are, but if you're in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles and choose a San Juan (good product) DON'T use Hippo Pools to install it. I am beyond unhappy with this hack.

where do you live?

First off....I have a Goldline system. A LITTLE more salt.....I got mine at about 3000ppm. You're in the window. Stir it....don't let it lay still down there. Your chlorinator will make chlorine. NOW adjust the ph. Small bits at a time, you don't want to be having to adjust down. Your alk is fine...should be between 80-120. THE ALK will stablize the ph. Get to it. THEN, check the chl and the cyna acid. Get a test kit. When you have that all dialed in, (literally) you'll be good to go.

Did you dump the salt just below the skimmer? Did you stir it up a bit? Don't let that pile of salt just lay there on the gunite (or whatever) until it disolves.....I don't know - I'm not sure that it laying there is such a good thing. Anyhow. How does it look today? (Sunday) Before you set your Ph, test and STABLIZE YOUR ALKALINITY. Once done, then your Ph should be adjusted. DON'T do Ph then Alk....you'll be "chasing a rabbit."