Hey guys and gals. we are finally ready to take the plunge (pun intended)!
we have started to get some quotes from pool builders for a 20 x 40 vinyl liner pool. most of these quotes i have noticed do not detail exact product models, so i started digging and doing research. please look below. if you were installing a new pool for yourself or replacing equipment, what would you use?
FILTER.so i think i want a cartridge filter, bigger is probably better for lower system pressure and time between filter cleanings. i notice that many manufacturers have several model lines of cartridge filter. for those of you with experience with these cartridge filters, are there some that you would recommend over others. any reasons why?
PUMP. most quotes just include a standard one speed 1.5hp pump. i am a bit of an energy natzi, and have read about variable speed pumps. the intelliflo family looks amazing, but i have heard that motor replacement parts are not available and some people are having failures just out of the 1 year warranty period. I see jandy has a variable speed pump and then there is ikeric and hybrid pumps. does anyone suggest one of these above the others?
SALTWATER or UV. two of the poob builders are pushing the UV system from Delta pretty hard, another suggests the Zodiac saltwater system. from some quick research, there is a lot of positive comments on AutoPilot salt water systems. What do you think of these options? any others you suggest?
LIGHTING. i really want to do this pool on the cheap, but i am aware that a lighting system is most easily included when the pool is built. is the hayward led system worth looking at? i believe they have a couple of of systems colorlogic 2.5 and 4.0. are these worth considering or is there a better system?
COVER. i plan to heat the pool with a home built solar system (and it will heat my shop in the winter...but that's a different story). i know that covering the pool saves a lot of heat. i wanted an automatic cover, but at $8k plus....yeeeeeeouch! and a solar reel at the shallow end (planning on a diving board in the deep end) would look horrendous. does anyone have any experience with the EZ cover from Aqua matic? it is basically an automatic cover without the automation. you use two poles, much like a ski machine. supposedly it takes 50-70 seconds to put the cover on or take it off. i really like the look of this system since it can be placed below deck...and therefore under the diving board and basically hidden from site. any comments or similar systems that are worth taking a look at.
POOL KITS walls/liners. I may just purchase a kit and contract the work out. i do have a friend who works for a pool builder, so this is a strong possibliity. are there any steel wall kits or internet sites that you recommend or are they basically all the same?
is 2" plumbing the best size to get the best efficiency?
are main drains worth installing?
what is a good automatic pool cleaner? the choices seem endless?