Greetings to all, I'm new in here.
I bought a house with an old formed-concrete in-ground 25k gal. in the backyard. It has been let go for years but appears to have potential for returning into use.
I've been researching for a while now, and want to make this pool my "dream pool."
My dream pool would be something between a pool and spa, have a nice waterfall/diving platform, and will sparkle like the best and no smell of chlorine. Chlorine-free would be great, but from what I have read, a very difficult (if not impossible) task. I'm Zone 6 temp, USA, and would like to extend my swimming season with an effective water heating method (if possible). I would also like to do something imaginative with LED lighting. Perhaps a recessed strip lighting around the pool stone edge.
Obviously, I have a budget, but am capable of doing most of the nasty work myself and not afraid to make a reasonable investment. I'll be using blue/white quartz flagstone right up/over the pool, and will use this stone for my waterfall.
My dream pool is presently dug up on 3 sides to accommodate new plumbing.
My current ideas include:
1. pouring a concrete bench along the back wall of the shallow end and installing 4 spa-like wall jets for a nice water massage feature.
2. pouring a concrete foundation along the back wall of the deep end to build the waterfall/diving platform on. Perhaps I could make this 3-sided with stone, and install a service door on the back and keep my pump/mechanicals inside.
3. drill new supply lines into the pool and add one more skimmer at the opposite end of the pool, because it is on the north end (downwind). I have plenty of 2" schedule 80 PVC to use for plumbing.
4. add a good size variable-speed Pentair pump to handle all my pump needs with one pump. (good idea or bad?)
5. for sanitation, I was leaning towards a Pentair SWG. I was thinking to go with a sand filter using Diamond Kleen media to enhance filtering. I want to add the EasyTouch system so I can control/monitor everything through my iPad.
I've had several above ground pools over the years. In my experience, the best investment for any pool is to have as much circulation as possible. Water in motion helps for filtering and keeping water "well stirred." It will be easier for me to achieve and maintain my sparkly dream if I over-size my circulation needs (my philosophy).
As a final idea, I'd like to run some kind of metal piping manifold into a large, deep fire pit, running it also through a pump, to be my own version of a water heater. I'm curious if it could have an impact, or would it just be a bad idea. Anyone with experience here.... please advise.
Question 1#? Is SWG the way to go? I know most people in here are skeptical about ozone generators... but since I can custom-build my plumbing, is ozone viable? My thinking is the side effects of chlorine won't be an issue if I have a good circulation/filtration system because organic material will be at a minimum.
Question 2#? Can someone recommend a sanitation layout (pump size, # of supply lines, filter type/size, SWG size)?
Question 3#? Is there any merit to my "hillbilly heating" idea? I know I would want to be careful choosing metal pipe... nothing too corrosive with salt/chlorine.
Any general advice is heavily appreciated. I am in the middle of "pool school"... Can't know enough! Thanks to all who keep this site going!
I bought a house with an old formed-concrete in-ground 25k gal. in the backyard. It has been let go for years but appears to have potential for returning into use.
I've been researching for a while now, and want to make this pool my "dream pool."
My dream pool would be something between a pool and spa, have a nice waterfall/diving platform, and will sparkle like the best and no smell of chlorine. Chlorine-free would be great, but from what I have read, a very difficult (if not impossible) task. I'm Zone 6 temp, USA, and would like to extend my swimming season with an effective water heating method (if possible). I would also like to do something imaginative with LED lighting. Perhaps a recessed strip lighting around the pool stone edge.
Obviously, I have a budget, but am capable of doing most of the nasty work myself and not afraid to make a reasonable investment. I'll be using blue/white quartz flagstone right up/over the pool, and will use this stone for my waterfall.
My dream pool is presently dug up on 3 sides to accommodate new plumbing.
My current ideas include:
1. pouring a concrete bench along the back wall of the shallow end and installing 4 spa-like wall jets for a nice water massage feature.
2. pouring a concrete foundation along the back wall of the deep end to build the waterfall/diving platform on. Perhaps I could make this 3-sided with stone, and install a service door on the back and keep my pump/mechanicals inside.
3. drill new supply lines into the pool and add one more skimmer at the opposite end of the pool, because it is on the north end (downwind). I have plenty of 2" schedule 80 PVC to use for plumbing.
4. add a good size variable-speed Pentair pump to handle all my pump needs with one pump. (good idea or bad?)
5. for sanitation, I was leaning towards a Pentair SWG. I was thinking to go with a sand filter using Diamond Kleen media to enhance filtering. I want to add the EasyTouch system so I can control/monitor everything through my iPad.
I've had several above ground pools over the years. In my experience, the best investment for any pool is to have as much circulation as possible. Water in motion helps for filtering and keeping water "well stirred." It will be easier for me to achieve and maintain my sparkly dream if I over-size my circulation needs (my philosophy).
As a final idea, I'd like to run some kind of metal piping manifold into a large, deep fire pit, running it also through a pump, to be my own version of a water heater. I'm curious if it could have an impact, or would it just be a bad idea. Anyone with experience here.... please advise.
Question 1#? Is SWG the way to go? I know most people in here are skeptical about ozone generators... but since I can custom-build my plumbing, is ozone viable? My thinking is the side effects of chlorine won't be an issue if I have a good circulation/filtration system because organic material will be at a minimum.
Question 2#? Can someone recommend a sanitation layout (pump size, # of supply lines, filter type/size, SWG size)?
Question 3#? Is there any merit to my "hillbilly heating" idea? I know I would want to be careful choosing metal pipe... nothing too corrosive with salt/chlorine.
Any general advice is heavily appreciated. I am in the middle of "pool school"... Can't know enough! Thanks to all who keep this site going!