New pool build with contemporary grotto

[JamesW]

The waterfall will need about 56 to 70 GPM.

The head loss should be very low if the plumbing is correct.

What are the pipe sizes for the suction and return lines for the water feature?

The AFP-150 should work if the plumbing is correct.

The suction and return lines should be at least 2.5".

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/water-features/magicfalls-water-effects/magicfalls-water-effects-brochure-english.pdf

 

[JamesW]

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/pumps/pentair-doe-single-speed-pumps-superflo-whisperflo/superflo-whisperflo-single-speed-pump-brochure.pdf

 

[JamesW]

Plumbing head: 3.3 x 2 = 6.6 ft.
Static head: 6 ft.
Fixture head: 6 ft.
Total head = 18.6 feet.

 

[JamesW]

Why are there 3 return lines for the water feature?

 

[JamesW]

It might work with the single speed WhisperFlo, but it will probably be noisy and the water will probably seem weak.

I would try it first to see how well it works before asking for a different pump.

If the lines are 2", that puts

Plumbing head: 7.8 x 2 = 15.6 ft.
Static head: 6 ft.
Fixture head: 6 ft.
Total head = 27.6 feet.

Most likely, the WhisperFlo will do about 75 GPM, so it might work OK.

A water feature pump or Intelliflo with 2.5" lines would be able to run at 1725 rpm vs. 3450 rpm which is a lot quieter and it uses less power.

An IntelliFlo would also allow you to adjust the flow, which is nice to get the exact effect you want.

 

[ttonn]

Thanks for the replies. Got the pool up and running and have been brushing it daily. Leaving the pool pump and robot cleaner on 24/7 to help get some of the plaster dust.

As far as the lines for the grotto rainfall pump, it is plumbed in a loop as well as a discharge back into the pool. I guess another way to control the amount of flow to the rainfall descent without a variable speed pump.

 

[JamesW]

Are you happy with the rain effect?

Is the pump loud?

To me, a solid sheet would have been better.

 

[kimkats]

@JamesW and I was coming in to say I LOVED the rain effect instead of the sheet of water!

Kim

 

[HermanTX]

Thanks for the replies. Got the pool up and running and have been brushing it daily. Leaving the pool pump and robot cleaner on 24/7 to help get some of the plaster dust.

Looks Great!! Show us some wider shots of whole pool. Enjoy it!!

 

[JamesW]

The rain is nice, but a sheer curtain would give more privacy.

 

[ttonn]

Yes we are happy with the rain descent, that's what we were expecting going into it.

Waterfall pump is louder than the VS Pump but not too loud. The sound of the rainfall is much louder than the pump itself.

Spray decking completed today, to be painted Still. Some palms to be planted tomorrow.

 

[ttonn]

Trees installed today and decking to be painted as well

 

[ttonn]

Decking painted. Not a drastic change from spray decking color but a bit darker

 

[kimkats]

LOVE everything about that!! WOWZER!

 

[HermanTX]

Trees installed today and decking to be painted as well

Sorry to be negative - but you will hate those palms so close to your pool when the seed pods fall off. They make a mess. I had 3 trees - planted by a previous owner, and I cut them down. When they are young (and small) they are somewhat manageable but as they grow it becomes a real mess.

 

[Gladius Nova]

Nice palms. We want to get some palms with our new build but scared another freeze here in San Antonio will kill them off.

 

[ttonn]

Sorry to be negative - but you will hate those palms so close to your pool when the seed pods fall off. They make a mess. I had 3 trees - planted by a previous owner, and I cut them down. When they are young (and small) they are somewhat manageable but as they grow it becomes a real mess.

I like the palms too much and the added privacy from the golf course I will deal with the seeds if it becomes an issue but duly noted.

 

[ttonn]

Nice palms. We want to get some palms with our new build but scared another freeze here in San Antonio will kill them off.

The kind I got, pindo palm and canary island date palm, are both very cold/freeze tolerant. May suffer some frond damage during hard freezes but they should bounce back. May want to look into them, both are very slow growers though.

 

[ttonn]

Moved 3 cubic yards of stone around the pool and equipment pad today...going to sleep good tonight

 

[kimkats]

I feel for your back and shoulders and just about your whole, poor body! Hope you have some adult drink in the house to help relax you poor body.