Hello from Tampa... building a new pool

[fp22]

Hi everyone!!

I have been reading on TFP for the past month or so as we are finalizing the details of our pool and lanai. This will be the second pool I have contracted to build and I am very excited as I believe this will be the last pool I will build and really want to get it right. My first pool build (15 years ago) had a very tight budget and was not the dream pool I wanted but was a very nice pool none the less. It was a lighter color marcite that was easy to see the young kids swim in and everyone loved. Kids are grown now so I'm considering the darker pool of my dreams.

When I was younger I had a job cleaning pools (ages 17-20) where I got to take care of some seriously fancy pools. I believe this is why I have always had a dream pool in mind and I'm hoping this build will come close to that. So one of my favorite pools was a dark black lagoon like pool. It was around 1990 so not sure if it was Pebble Tec or something similar but it was certainly pebble aggregate. What I really liked about this pool was it was like a swimming hole as it was a compact size pool.

Our pool will be set inside a bronze pool screen cage. Vegetation will be mostly lower plants with one larger tree. Main pool will be 10' x 26' not counting the steps, spa and sun shelf.

My first choice on pool color was Black Pearl (Pebble Tec) or Black Onyx (Pebble Sheen). My PB asked me to consider Tahoe Blue (Pebble Tec) or Blue Granite/French Gray (Pebble Sheen) as they will be lower cost and lower maintenance due to less issues with calcium scale with dark pools.

I do like Blue Granite and Tahoe Blue a lot too so I am considering this choice. Will I have a harder time with calcium scale in Florida than the pool in NJ? I trust my PB's opinion a lot and who doesn't like to save money. I know there are a lot of discussions online on what color pool is best. I would love to hear from those that went one way or the other. My PB personally prefers Pebble Tec because he likes the big pebbles but I'm open to both. I have been slightly leaning towards the sheen after reading others online. So, anyone decide between Black Onyx and Blue Granite/French Gray????

Thanks for reading!!!
FP

I'll start a thread for the pool build after they start. Pool dig starts middle of May 2019

 

[kimkats]

Hi and THANKS! I need a new pool to help build!!! AND you are in FLORIDA

I will tell you I LOVE the darker plasters BUT it is SO important your installers are top, tippy toe top shelf installers. A dark plaster can show every little swirl mark and tend to show mottling more.

The claim of "have a harder time with calcium scale in FL" is not true. It all depends on how well YOU care for your pool in making sure the water gets and stays well balanced. I invite you to read this: ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry - Trouble Free Pool Then look in my siggy for the recommend levels and chemicals.

I also have a set of links I put together that all talk about what to do BEFORE the plaster goes in to make sure your plaster job is the best it can be:
Ten Guidelines for Quality Pool Plaster Best one of all
Not All Color Pigments are Good for Pools How to pick a good color for plaster.
All Plaster Finishes Should Last 20 Years
Trouble Free Pool
Trouble Free Pool

I am hoping this info will give you food for thought and things to talk to your PB about.

Kim

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome!

 

[fp22]

Kim,

Thanks for the info and links... I will be doing some reading. When using a brand specific I was under the impression the PB would be obligated to use a precise plaster to get the advertised look of the color you choose, i.e. "French Gray." I will have to ask more questions as this will be my first PebbleTec pool.

FP

Hi and THANKS! I need a new pool to help build!!! AND you are in FLORIDA

I will tell you I LOVE the darker plasters BUT it is SO important your installers are top, tippy toe top shelf installers. A dark plaster can show every little swirl mark and tend to show mottling more.

The claim of "have a harder time with calcium scale in FL" is not true. It all depends on how well YOU care for your pool in making sure the water gets and stays well balanced. I invite you to read this: ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry - Trouble Free Pool Then look in my siggy for the recommend levels and chemicals.

I also have a set of links I put together that all talk about what to do BEFORE the plaster goes in to make sure your plaster job is the best it can be:
Ten Guidelines for Quality Pool Plaster Best one of all
Not All Color Pigments are Good for Pools How to pick a good color for plaster.
All Plaster Finishes Should Last 20 Years
Trouble Free Pool
Trouble Free Pool

I am hoping this info will give you food for thought and things to talk to your PB about.

Kim

 

[kimkats]

Each "brand" has their own color names. Most of them are very close in color so it is all good. Find the color you like then see what that company calls it!

Kim

 

[fp22]

Thanks, I have read through those links and really want to know my pool well so I think mastering the pool chemicals is worth it to keep the darker pool I want. So, the pool color is still in discussion mode Having a warmer pool is also very important so another reason I'm leaning to the darker pool but the more I think about the more modern rectangle shape I really am not creating a lagoon water hole so I have some more things to think about with pool bottom color. Luckily I do love all the colors for different reasons.

Hi and THANKS! I need a new pool to help build!!! AND you are in FLORIDA

I will tell you I LOVE the darker plasters BUT it is SO important your installers are top, tippy toe top shelf installers. A dark plaster can show every little swirl mark and tend to show mottling more.

The claim of "have a harder time with calcium scale in FL" is not true. It all depends on how well YOU care for your pool in making sure the water gets and stays well balanced. I invite you to read this: ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry - Trouble Free Pool Then look in my siggy for the recommend levels and chemicals.

I also have a set of links I put together that all talk about what to do BEFORE the plaster goes in to make sure your plaster job is the best it can be:
Ten Guidelines for Quality Pool Plaster Best one of all
Not All Color Pigments are Good for Pools How to pick a good color for plaster.
All Plaster Finishes Should Last 20 Years
Trouble Free Pool
Trouble Free Pool

I am hoping this info will give you food for thought and things to talk to your PB about.

Kim

 

[mnm4ever]

I am in Tampa too, welcome. We are nearing the end of our build, its been going great. I have one opinion and one question....

First, I would be wary of such a dark pool in this area. We have snakes and critters that like pools. I would not like such a dark pool as it's hard to see what is in it. The "lighter but still dark" colors your PB recommended will give you the same look without it being so... black.

Second, does your pool builder offer Pebble Tec, or one of the other brands?

 

[fp22]

Congrats on finishing up your pool. Sorry for the late reply... been a busy few weeks for me. I appreciate your feedback on the pool color. We ended up taking the recommendation of yours and the pool builder and selected Blue Granite Pebble Sheen. We went and looked at a pool he did with Blue Granite and believe it will be dark enough while still seeing snakes.

Dig will start within the next week. I'm excited to finally see it start up. Hope yours has worked out well and you are happy with it!

I am in Tampa too, welcome. We are nearing the end of our build, its been going great. I have one opinion and one question....

First, I would be wary of such a dark pool in this area. We have snakes and critters that like pools. I would not like such a dark pool as it's hard to see what is in it. The "lighter but still dark" colors your PB recommended will give you the same look without it being so... black.

Second, does your pool builder offer Pebble Tec, or one of the other brands?