New gunite pool- What to add, what to avoid

[Lisabdou]

Hi! First post here. Looking for advice and opinions please. I’ve had pools in my life, fiberglass and Vinyl, now I’m thinking about adding a gunite pool to my home.
Looking for opinions on what I should or shouldn’t spend $ on
It’s going to be approx 100per ft, depth 3ft to 6ft with tanning ledge, waterfall
Hydrazzo plaster and Travertine coping.
Planning on Chlorine but open to input on Salt systems.
Sand filter with Ruby sand per a friends suggestion
* what’s better, set hp pump or a variable speed? (3hp or 2.7vs)
*should I bother with UV or UV/Ozone or is that really just a waste of $ for a smaller residential pool?
Will plan on adding a heat/chiller pump later.
Not planning on any remote computer enabled automation
Any tidbits of info are appreciated. I need to get things finalized and going here soon!
Location is in MidSouth area of west TN/north MS area.

 

[Neto]

From what I have read here, a salt system is a chlorine pool, it just converts salt to CL so you dont have to manually does, only when you want to SLAM. TFP recommends using liquid chlorine to get CL at right levels but it would require dosing almost daily. I would add a PVC sleeve on your tanning ledge and benches in the back.

 

[JJ_Tex]

I would research DE and Cartridge filters as well. Sand generally doesnt filter the smaller particles like the other two.

 

[d_red1]

Variable speed pump.
Everything I have read around this forum seems to dissuade the use of UV.
As far as getting things finalized and happening soon, even If you started construction tomorrow the chances are slim that you would be swimming this year. Better to do your research and figure out exactly what you want before diving in. You can then get things lined up to start construction around the turn of the year and time it to be open for Memorial Day weekend.

 

[Geebot]

The sales pitches for UV and ionizers are all about reducing the amount of chlorine you use, however, it takes an appreciable amount of faith to simply cut your chlorine levels and hope for the best so you'll undoubtedly end up maintaining chlorine at the recommended levels -- in which case, why so you need anything else? Chlorine is the best option, whether added directly or generated from salt. One less thing to buy; one less thing to maintain; one less thing to replace.

100% agree about the variable speed pump. You can keep water circulating for a fraction of the cost. Makes a difference if you're heating the water.

 

[Lisabdou]

From what I have read here, a salt system is a chlorine pool, it just converts salt to CL so you dont have to manually does, only when you want to SLAM. TFP recommends using liquid chlorine to get CL at right levels but it would require dosing almost daily. I would add a PVC sleeve on your tanning ledge and benches in the back.

PVC sleeve for umbrella? Reason I am on the fence about that is when you account for the drop down to the level where the ledge is, it brings the umbrella to around eye level......wouldn’t you be ducking to get under it or getting poked in the eye? Was thinking about just having cantilevered umbrellas......

 

[Lisabdou]

The sales pitches for UV and ionizers are all about reducing the amount of chlorine you use, however, it takes an appreciable amount of faith to simply cut your chlorine levels and hope for the best so you'll undoubtedly end up maintaining chlorine at the recommended levels -- in which case, why so you need anything else? Chlorine is the best option, whether added directly or generated from salt. One less thing to buy; one less thing to maintain; one less thing to replace.

100% agree about the variable speed pump. You can keep water circulating for a fraction of the cost. Makes a difference if you're heating the water.

So if I read this right.....
-UV would just be basically $ not necessary to spend
- yes, go with Variable speed pump

Right?

 

[Lisabdou]

Variable speed pump.
Everything I have read around this forum seems to dissuade the use of UV.
As far as getting things finalized and happening soon, even If you started construction tomorrow the chances are slim that you would be swimming this year. Better to do your research and figure out exactly what you want before diving in. You can then get things lined up to start construction around the turn of the year and time it to be open for Memorial Day weekend.

I’ve been in the works on this for over a month already. Just trying to make final decisions. I know we won’t be done until later in the fall and I’m ok with that.
Last pool was Vinyl, CL, just pretty basic and it was 8 years ago so putting feelers out to people not trying to sell me upgrades. Just want facts from users. As that’s the best advice! ?

 

[kimkats]

Here is my input...............depth you want to go at least 3.5' with a thought towards 4' for the shallow end. Here is why:
-you cannot do a full crawl stroke at 3'. You will scrape your knuckles .
-the slope will be quite a bit less going from the 4 to 6

To help you decide hold a tape measure up to you and see where 3' hits you and go from there.

Tanning ledge-think about how deep you what this. Do you want to sit on your bottom and have the water fit you where? Do you want to put a chair on it? Where do you want the water to hit? Lounger same questions.

I like the idea of the cantilever umbrellas as they can be moved as needed wanted.

Kim

 

[crabboy]

• I'd go no less that 3.5 in the shallow end, kids grow fast. My pool is 3.5' - 8'
• Salt water all the way. Chlorine is fine, but is more hands on. Skip the UV and Ozone.
• Filters are a bit of a religious debate here, I like my cart, saves water and only have to clean it once a year.
• I would go variable speed. I have a 1hp for the filter pump and I'd be nice to be able to dial down the flow to save juice.
• I had a heat pump and it sucked, frozen pipes cracked it one winter and I replaced it with a 400k BTU natural gas heater and it's the bomb! Went from days to heat the pool with the heap pump to about 1 degree per hour with gas. The gas is much cheaper too.

 

[darceync]

• Also recommend 3.5' for the shallow end.
• If you want any sort of swim lane from the length of the pool, consider sliding the tanning ledge over to one side for a clear path.
• Cantilever umbrellas can take up a lot of space, whereas a PVC sleeve in the tanning ledge at least gives you the option. You can also add them to your deck and add a cover when they're not in use.

 

[Lisabdou]

Where I am most “stuck” at the moment is deciding between Hydrazzo colors.
Have it down to: French Grey, Cayman Lagoon, or Mediterranean Blue.
Also can’t decide if I want a Sand Filter with Ruby Sand or a Cartridge filter.....
Ugh. So exciting but so many details.

 

[kimkats]

ALL of those colors are VERY pretty! You can't go wrong with any of them.........BUT the darker the color to more likely it will show/have imperfections such as mottling. It is up to you.

Filter-which every kind you get make it as big as you can!! The bigger the better!

Kim

 

[MyAZPool]

Lisabdou
Welcome to TFP

Just my two cents.
Planning on Chlorine but open to input on Salt systems. A SWG is beneficial in many ways. Not a necessity but once you have one, you will never want a pool again without one.
Sand filter with Ruby sand per a friends suggestion. Sand is fine. So is cartridge. Pro's and Cons on both. Choosing one over the other is not a game changer at all. Bigger is better when it comes to filters.
* what’s better, set hp pump or a variable speed? (3hp or 2.7vs) Variable speed to be sure! No question about it!
*should I bother with UV or UV/Ozone or is that really just a waste of $ for a smaller residential pool? NO, NO and NO. Your pool is outside and gets plenty of UV from the sun.
Will plan on adding a heat/chiller pump later. Maybe see if you can get the PB to plumb in the heater bypass loop with the jandy valve and just cap the heater inlet and outlet stubouts for now. Much easier now then cutting into the plumbing later. If you have gas at your house, then that might be the way to go. NG is pretty cheap and so are gas heaters compared to the heat pumps etc.
Not planning on any remote computer enabled automation. No problem. They are nice but not a necessity by any means. What is a necessity for a clean and sparkling pool is reading pool school, purchasing a quality test kit like the TF-100, using the pool math app and listening to the many members here about the simple but effective TFP method of pool care.

I see a lot of trees in the drawing (not sure if that is actual). Maybe talk to the PB about two opposing skimmers. It's not a necessity but can be useful. What is important, is that a single skimmer is on the leeward or downwind side of the typical prevailing winds in your backyard and that the "returns" be plumbed in such a way as to direct the water current towards the skimmer. Like in a circular fashion.

Good luck with your pool build and I hope you will share your build and your experiences with us.
All the best...
r...

 

[Lisabdou]

Lisabdou
Welcome to TFP

Just my two cents.
Planning on Chlorine but open to input on Salt systems. A SWG is beneficial in many ways. Not a necessity but once you have one, you will never want a pool again without one.
Sand filter with Ruby sand per a friends suggestion. Sand is fine. So is cartridge. Pro's and Cons on both. Choosing one over the other is not a game changer at all. Bigger is better when it comes to filters.
* what’s better, set hp pump or a variable speed? (3hp or 2.7vs) Variable speed to be sure! No question about it!
*should I bother with UV or UV/Ozone or is that really just a waste of $ for a smaller residential pool? NO, NO and NO. Your pool is outside and gets plenty of UV from the sun.
Will plan on adding a heat/chiller pump later. Maybe see if you can get the PB to plumb in the heater bypass loop with the jandy valve and just cap the heater inlet and outlet stubouts for now. Much easier now then cutting into the plumbing later. If you have gas at your house, then that might be the way to go. NP is pretty cheap and so are gas heaters compared to the heat pumps etc.
Not planning on any remote computer enabled automation. No problem. They are nice but not a necessity by any means. What is a necessity for a clean and sparkling pool is reading pool school, purchasing a quality test kit like the TF-100, using the pool math app and listening to the many members here about the simple but effective TFP method of pool care.

I see a lot of trees in the drawing (not sure if that is actual). Maybe talk to the PB about two opposing skimmers. It's not a necessity but can be useful. What is important, is that a single skimmer is on the leeward or downwind side of the typical prevailing winds in your backyard and that the "returns" be plumbed in such a way as to direct the water current towards the skimmer. Like in a circular fashion.

Good luck with your pool build and I hope you will share your build and your experiences with us.
All the best...
r...

Thanks so much for the input! Didn’t think about the plumbing set up in advance of heater like that. Great advice!
The trees are just artistic additions to that layout. But I do have 2 skimmers in the works.
I will post updates as we move along. ?

 

[Tena]

We just built in ground this year. Great advice has been given so far.

My additional advice is plan out your equipment pad carefully. Look at some pictures here. I left it to PB and my sight bubble on my filter is in the back. My pad is way too close to the pool. Things I would have been very specific about if I had known he wasn't. (His scale drawing is not to scale after all). Just watch little things.

I had a extra inlet that I never questioned, I still don't know why it was plumbed, but it leaked water out until it was eventually capped off. PB is locked out of my backyard permanently. ?

 

[Lisabdou]

The location for the equipment is on the side of the house in this drone picture would be just out of frame in the bottom left of the pic....

 

[mguzzy]

oh.. thats cool. Will you be giving regular progress updates via drone pics from same vantage? Is that you in the red hat flying the drone? Get a shot of someone doing the back stroke in the grass I presume the L= light, and S=skimmer?

 

[Lisabdou]

Lol, not that’s not me....the PB has a friend that has a drone.....and I’m thinking he will get some regular shots of it as construction progresses. ?
And yes....L is light, and S is skimmer.

 

[mguzzy]

It looks a tad different than the rendering in the first post.. but I like it. I have a boulder waterfall as well and wish there was a seat under my falls. I've been to friends with pools that have one and the kids love it. Come the day I do a plaster renovation I'll be adding a seat like that. Make sure the boulder pile has a obvious leaping point.. it will become a jumping rock, i guarantee!