Hello all,
I've been slowly building an above ground pool and now that winter is around the corner I'm desperately rushing to complete everything. I'll post updates in here and tons of pictures. I'm not going to ask any questions, but if you see me doing something awful please say something before I ruin all of my work! The goal of this project - how many features can we cram into an above ground pool at a reasonable price? Unfortunately, labor rates sort of destroyed the reasonable price goal.
The pool is a 24' round Saltwater Aurora. It'll be semi-buried halfway down per the manufacturer's warranty. It'll have a 6' deep area thanks to a 25 Gauge Expandable Overlap All Swirl Liner (ordered as an upgrade with the pool). I calculate that it will hold about 16,500-17,000 gallons with the deep end factored in. I added the Gladon XL Round Peel N' Stick Foam Pool Cove to the order.
The pump is a CircuPool SmartFlo Variable Speed (1.5 HP).
The filter is a CircuPool CJ-2750 Cartridge Filter. Purchased as part of a bundle with the pump. It is actually a Waterco Opal XL that CircuPool resells.
The saltwater cell is a CircuPool RJ-30 Plus Salt Chlorine Generator. (Please don't buy from this link, instead go to the RJ-20 and click the "Add RJ-30 for $10 promo" which I'm pretty sure never actually expires. It is just a game they play on the store website.)
The heat pump is a Raypak Crosswind 65-I. I did originally try to go through a local authorized reseller/installer but they were incredibly rude to me over the phone and told me that Raypak only made heaters for below ground pools. It is admittedly undersized, but due to my unique install location under a deck (YES, I know! More on that later) I absolutely required a side discharge design. I will also be insulating the pool walls and floor, as well as using a clear Sun2Solar 1200-Series Solar Cover. Next year I may also add a solar heating system to assist the heat pump. I wanted to keep the bills as low as possible.
Since the heat pump cannot handle the maximum GPM of the 2" loop/pump, having a proper flow meter was essential. I've purchased two H2 Flow Controls FV-C Control FlowVis which double as a a check valve. I highly recommend these units but they are a bit more pricey then even buying a flow meter and check valve separately.
My sacrificial anode is a CMP Pool Defender which also doubles as a proper pool bond!
Finally, my valves are all 2 and 3 way Pentair lube-free valves. I really like the Pentair brand, and if I ever do a below ground pool for my next house I'll probably go with Pentair. I especially think their UltraTemp ETi Hybrid Heaters look really cool, but that has nothing to do with this pool project.
The winter pool cover is a Robelle Olympus (which I've already ordered due to long lead times).
The pool steps are Confer's 4-Step Curved Grand Entry Stair w/Add On Steps (but the extremely small deck I'm planning to build for them to attach to probably won't be finished until next year).
Oh yeah, I'm also mounting a Philips Hue Lily XL Outdoor Spotlight on my deck close by to shine down into the pool for a lighting effect. Originally I explored the remote controlled battery powered aquatic lights, but I couldn't find any made by a reputable brand with good reviews. I gave up after a few hours of searching. I also use Philips Hue everywhere else in the house.
Excavation was done by Elk Heights Excavation - they normally do MUCH larger jobs but are happy to assist homeowners when they have a gap in their schedule.
Rough Expense List:
Pool: $5,500.00.
Heat Pump: $2,500.00.
Water Pump, Filter, and Salt Cell: $2,500.00
Excavation of 110,000 pounds of dirt + Polymorphic Sand: $6,000.00
Stairs: $500.00.
Concrete pad installed via construction company, help installing pool support Pavers, recycled concrete delivery, trash hauling, mechanical area Pavers (installed myself): $2,500.00.
Pentair Valves (3x): $120.00
CMP Pool Defender: $70.00
H2 FlowVis (2x): $130.00
Electrical (six circuits including another project): $2,000.00
Sidewall Insulation: Not Yet Ordered
Floor Insulation: Not Yet Ordered
Current Total: $21,820.00
I'm reasonably hopeful this is still less than what a 17,000 gallon underground pool in the Seattle area would have cost me.
I've been slowly building an above ground pool and now that winter is around the corner I'm desperately rushing to complete everything. I'll post updates in here and tons of pictures. I'm not going to ask any questions, but if you see me doing something awful please say something before I ruin all of my work! The goal of this project - how many features can we cram into an above ground pool at a reasonable price? Unfortunately, labor rates sort of destroyed the reasonable price goal.
The pool is a 24' round Saltwater Aurora. It'll be semi-buried halfway down per the manufacturer's warranty. It'll have a 6' deep area thanks to a 25 Gauge Expandable Overlap All Swirl Liner (ordered as an upgrade with the pool). I calculate that it will hold about 16,500-17,000 gallons with the deep end factored in. I added the Gladon XL Round Peel N' Stick Foam Pool Cove to the order.
The pump is a CircuPool SmartFlo Variable Speed (1.5 HP).
The filter is a CircuPool CJ-2750 Cartridge Filter. Purchased as part of a bundle with the pump. It is actually a Waterco Opal XL that CircuPool resells.
The saltwater cell is a CircuPool RJ-30 Plus Salt Chlorine Generator. (Please don't buy from this link, instead go to the RJ-20 and click the "Add RJ-30 for $10 promo" which I'm pretty sure never actually expires. It is just a game they play on the store website.)
The heat pump is a Raypak Crosswind 65-I. I did originally try to go through a local authorized reseller/installer but they were incredibly rude to me over the phone and told me that Raypak only made heaters for below ground pools. It is admittedly undersized, but due to my unique install location under a deck (YES, I know! More on that later) I absolutely required a side discharge design. I will also be insulating the pool walls and floor, as well as using a clear Sun2Solar 1200-Series Solar Cover. Next year I may also add a solar heating system to assist the heat pump. I wanted to keep the bills as low as possible.
Since the heat pump cannot handle the maximum GPM of the 2" loop/pump, having a proper flow meter was essential. I've purchased two H2 Flow Controls FV-C Control FlowVis which double as a a check valve. I highly recommend these units but they are a bit more pricey then even buying a flow meter and check valve separately.
My sacrificial anode is a CMP Pool Defender which also doubles as a proper pool bond!
Finally, my valves are all 2 and 3 way Pentair lube-free valves. I really like the Pentair brand, and if I ever do a below ground pool for my next house I'll probably go with Pentair. I especially think their UltraTemp ETi Hybrid Heaters look really cool, but that has nothing to do with this pool project.
The winter pool cover is a Robelle Olympus (which I've already ordered due to long lead times).
The pool steps are Confer's 4-Step Curved Grand Entry Stair w/Add On Steps (but the extremely small deck I'm planning to build for them to attach to probably won't be finished until next year).
Oh yeah, I'm also mounting a Philips Hue Lily XL Outdoor Spotlight on my deck close by to shine down into the pool for a lighting effect. Originally I explored the remote controlled battery powered aquatic lights, but I couldn't find any made by a reputable brand with good reviews. I gave up after a few hours of searching. I also use Philips Hue everywhere else in the house.
Excavation was done by Elk Heights Excavation - they normally do MUCH larger jobs but are happy to assist homeowners when they have a gap in their schedule.
Rough Expense List:
Pool: $5,500.00.
Heat Pump: $2,500.00.
Water Pump, Filter, and Salt Cell: $2,500.00
Excavation of 110,000 pounds of dirt + Polymorphic Sand: $6,000.00
Stairs: $500.00.
Concrete pad installed via construction company, help installing pool support Pavers, recycled concrete delivery, trash hauling, mechanical area Pavers (installed myself): $2,500.00.
Pentair Valves (3x): $120.00
CMP Pool Defender: $70.00
H2 FlowVis (2x): $130.00
Electrical (six circuits including another project): $2,000.00
Sidewall Insulation: Not Yet Ordered
Floor Insulation: Not Yet Ordered
Current Total: $21,820.00
I'm reasonably hopeful this is still less than what a 17,000 gallon underground pool in the Seattle area would have cost me.
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