New pool ordered !

[shaneymack]

Just happened upon this site and it's amazing!!!
My wife and I just purchased a new inground pool. Its vinyl 36' long, 23' wide in shallow end and 20' wide in deep end. Shallow end goes from 4' to 5' deep over 16 feet then drops to 8 ft in deep end.
Pump is a Hayward tristar Vs 1.85 hp with Hayward aquarite SWG. Second 1hp pump to run 4 deck jets. 2 floor drains, 1 skimmer, 5 returns, 3 led lights. 140k btu Hayward heatpump. I think that's all the details?
What has come included with the pool is a 24" with 1.5" inlet Hayward sand filter. Seems kinda small for a pretty big pool. Will that be ok for this pool?

Installation is in around 5-6 weeks so I have time to do a little research. Designer will be here Tuesday then its on to surveyor and city. Attached a pic of the shape of pool. It's the bigger one.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[Flying Tivo]

2 skimmers would be better and 3 floor returns(dont know if possible with vinyl) for your heat pump. Maybe you can go for a single higher HP VS pump to do all the work but you would need some automation.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! To a point, the bigger the filter the better for less frequent cleanings. A 24" may meet basic standards, but might require a bit more backwashing. I would think something in the 27-30" might serve you better, but at a certain point you're talking about a BIG vessel. So your pad has to accommodate it as well. At this point, I'll call on the assistance of a couple experts who know their sand quite well: @JohnT and @Bama Rambler. Congrats on the new pool!

 

[Uncle Salty]

Sounds like you’re going all Hayward, have you considered going with the AquaPlus as it gives you Automation and includes the SWG. I might also consider going with a larger gas heater vs a heat pump in your climate. Also would bump it up to two skimmers and a larger sand filter.

Salty

 

[JohnT]

I would go with a little larger filter with that pool volume.

Chances are the designer will propose a fairly small pool deck which will look and sound good on paper but might not be enough when you start using it. Post when you have the design.

 

[shaneymack]

Also would bump it up to two skimmers and a larger sand filter.

little larger filter

I went to see the owner of the store today about this. I asked him for a bigger filter and he looked at me like I had two heads. He said he installs the 24'' on every inground they install and have never had a problem. He does not want to put a bigger filter because he says I will lose water pressure?? Anyways, these guys have been doing pools successfully in the area for 30 years and do between 100 and 200 ingrounds a year depending on the year. I think this is a case of ignorance and wanting to stick with what he knows works and doesnt want any issues. He is actually the fifth ingound pool installer we went to in our area and every one quoted the 24''. Does anyone have any idea what the heck he is talking about regarding losing water pressure??
Funny thing is, I have been building high end custom homes for 15 years and referring our clients to them and everyone LOVES them and has zero complaints. I guess im asking too many questions LOL.

 

[Flying Tivo]

Its your money and its your pool!

 

[Bama Rambler]

He does not want to put a bigger filter because he says I will lose water pressure?? ... Does anyone have any idea what the heck he is talking about regarding losing water pressure??

Technically he's correct, but his reasoning is totally wrong. You will lose less pressure through the filter, which is a very good thing. Because you will gain flow through the system. A lot of people (builders included) don't understand water hydraulics. Less pressure loss in the filter is a good thing.

As others have said, going with a larger filter will be a good thing for that size pool.

Do you have any fill water issues? (i.e. Hard water, water restrictions, high mineral content [iron, etc.] high water costs, etc.)
I ask because if you have any issues you may want to consider something besides sand. Not trying to talk you out of it, just want you to consider everything.

 

[shaneymack]

Technically he's correct, but his reasoning is totally wrong. You will lose less pressure through the filter, which is a very good thing. Because you will gain flow through the system. A lot of people (builders included) don't understand water hydraulics. Less pressure loss in the filter is a good thing.

As others have said, going with a larger filter will be a good thing for that size pool.

Do you have any fill water issues? (i.e. Hard water, water restrictions, high mineral content [iron, etc.] high water costs, etc.)
I ask because if you have any issues you may want to consider something besides sand. Not trying to talk you out of it, just want you to consider everything.

We are on a well but will be trucking in potable water. I figure the water will be way nicer and the pool will be filled same day as opposed to waiting 2 weeks for my weeny hose to fill it.

 

[Bama Rambler]

Since you're on a well, I'd recommend considering changing to a cartridge filter. It will use less water overall due to not having to backwash it. Backwashing a sand filter uses a lot of water that you'll have to replace from your well. If your well has iron or other minerals in it, that's another good reason to switch to a cartridge.

 

[shaneymack]

Since you're on a well, I'd recommend considering changing to a cartridge filter. It will use less water overall due to not having to backwash it. Backwashing a sand filter uses a lot of water that you'll have to replace from your well. If your well has iron or other minerals in it, that's another good reason to switch to a cartridge.

In 2005 I had a 27' above ground installed and it had cartridge filter. I absolutely hated that thing. After a couple years I had it swapped out for a sand filter. I found it much easier to maintain than the cartridge. Have cartridge filters changed at all since then?
I hear you about the downsides to refilling with well water but i think the well water here is pretty decent. Our neighbours have the same size inground pool as we are getting and we are on the same community well and his water is always super nice.

 

[Bama Rambler]

Depending on which filter you had and what issues you had with it, there are some nice filters out there now. I have a Waterway 200 sqft cartridge filter now and like it better than the sand filter that it replaced. The top is easy to remove and replace and I don't mind cleaning the cartridge at all. But to each their own. If you like sand better there's absolutely nothing wrong with them.

 

[shaneymack]

Here is the final design. For some reason the designers plans show the pool as 19x22x36. I inquired at the pool store and its actually not exactly 20x23x36 like we thought. The exact measurements are 19'10" wide in deep end, 22'5" wide in shallow and 36' 2" long. Our implantation plan should be complete tomorrow and then it's off for the permit.

 

[bmoreswim]

I'm guessing your cartridge filter was just too small, which is why you hated it (needed to clean it often). If properly oversized, some can get away with only a season-ending filter rinse in northern climates. Ours could be larger, but I rinse it around July 4th (1 1/2 hours max start to finish) and at season end. We swim a lot at night with lights and I enjoy the lack of floaties. Though I've never had sand so it may be quite close in it's lack of floaties also.

Either works fine. In a algae bloom, sand can take a long time to clear the final cloudiness. Cartridge on the other hand must be opened and rinsed frequently but it clears faster. But that's an easy one, don't let your pool get green!

Plan looks great! Let 'er rip.

 

[shaneymack]

I'm guessing your cartridge filter was just too small, which is why you hated it (needed to clean it often). If properly oversized, some can get away with only a season-ending filter rinse in northern climates. Ours could be larger, but I rinse it around July 4th (1 1/2 hours max start to finish) and at season end. We swim a lot at night with lights and I enjoy the lack of floaties. Though I've never had sand so it may be quite close in it's lack of floaties also.

Either works fine. In a algae bloom, sand can take a long time to clear the final cloudiness. Cartridge on the other hand must be opened and rinsed frequently but it clears faster. But that's an easy one, don't let your pool get green!

Plan looks great! Let 'er rip.

It's very possible that my last cartridge was under sized. I'm sure even if I went with a cartridge my guy wouldn't want to install bigger than I need. He didn't want to do it with sand because the sky would fall so I'm sure he wouldnt oversize with the cartridge.

 

[shaneymack]

Finally got the excavation done ! Ordered the pool last week of April and someone finally showed up....
This was done on Wednesday and no one has been back all week. I spoke to the installer directly and he says he will be here Tuesday morning to install steel and pour the base. Fingers crossed.

 

[shaneymack]

The guys got the steel up today. Concrete tomorrow 8am !

 

[shaneymack]

Concrete pour this am. They did an awesome job.
They will be back Friday to put liner and water and start excavating for the concrete patio.

 

[bmoreswim]

That is among the best vinyl pool floors I've seen! I like that they made the transitions smooth. It makes it look more like a gunite pool with their free-flowing interiors.

 

[Flying Tivo]

Very nice!