Pool Quotes - Melbourne, FL

[CoolPool131]

Getting initial quotes for pools in Melbourne, FL (Space Coast), about 45min east of Orlando. Newbies to Florida and pools, came across this site. In a new area so the houses next to us are still being built so if we can get it in before they lay sod/grass it'll save us some money. You'll see one layout we received, wife didn't want free form after seeing linear.

Now some initial questions, this pool builders uses primarily Pentair. Looking for Salt Water for all quotes.

Design
We wanted some kind of waterfall feature to hear a waterfall when pump was on so initial overflow spa was changed to where the water will spill out through cutouts at a higher distance. Not sure if it's high enough though. Can this pool be sized down maybe a couple feet on the length and still look ok? The less to clean and heat the better in my book.

Controls
If I want to monitor control this thing via wall switches, app on phone, or Alexa what do I need? A lot of posts about Intellicenter is the way to go, what version (what are all the models for, Personality related).
- Wall switch inside patio door to turn on pool lights only.
- Wall switch inside patio door to turn on spa lights only.
- Alexa, turn on pool lights. Alexa, turn on spa lights. Alexa turn on pool light show. Alexa turn on spa light show.
- On app, monitor pool, turn on spa, turn on spa heater, etc.

Our house is wired for Ethernet all over the place, does Intellicenter have an ethernet connection? I prefer wired when possible.

On this site:
Wifi Switch

I have this particular Lutron Caseta wireless smart light switch. I have had zero problems with it to date. It is located probably 60 feet away from it's associated wireless smart bridge and never a wireless connectivity issue. Yes, it does cycle my pool led light colors and light shows.

Would any of this third party stuff be needed if Intellicenter can do it?

Lights
Would like the multi colored light show version, what do I need? Seeing not so favorable posts about the GloBrites. Use Microbrites, IntelliBrite 5G? Which one is newer? Can a Microbrite multicolor be put in the spa? Would like the spa to have light show too. The pool is not overly large, thinking one light for each.

Spa
What is a good depth and seating height?
What about a rolled edge? Anyone have issues with just regular coping?

Pumps
They mentioned a SuperFlo Pentair VS or something.

Heater
No gas at the place. Heater was UltraTemp 120Q (127,000)

Filters
From this site:
Filters

There are three basic types of pool filters, all in widespread use – Sand, DE (diatomaceous earth) and Cartridge.

What kind for easy maintenance, reliability, will work for this size pool? The pool will be surrounded by a cage.

Screens
No See Um screen on sides and regular on top? Is it No See Ums can't fly that high?

Finish
Company uses Florida Stucco Gem finishes similar to PebbleTec we were told.

 

[kimkats]

FLORIDA in the house!! HI and welcome!!! We can get you all set up!

Can this pool be sized down maybe a couple feet on the length and still look ok?

Looking at your picture I would think you need all of the room you can get for your wild self!! I have lived that life so know what I am talking about LOL

If I want to monitor control this thing via wall switches, app on phone, or Alexa what do I need?

I have some people I can call in for this. Hold on a bit until they get back with us. @Jimrahbe @jimim and anyone else that has any input jump on in!

What is a good depth and seating height?
What about a rolled edge? Anyone have issues with just regular coping?

I would have varied heights for the seating. Some people will want the water up to here while some will want it to here so....adjust it so everyone will have a place to sit and be able to move to get lower or higher as wanted.
Rolled edge vs regular coping-Have you been in a granite spa before? I have not but to me the rolled edge would win as it has to be more more comfortable just going on my gut.

Waterfall heights-There is such a thing as too much water noise when you are in the pool trying to have a good chat. It will be very hard to tell what it will sound like as each one is so different. Does the PB have any of different heights so you can hear them and go from there.

Kim

 

[setsailsoon]

Getting initial quotes for pools in Melbourne, FL (Space Coast), about 45min east of Orlando. Newbies to Florida and pools, came across this site. In a new area so the houses next to us are still being built so if we can get it in before they lay sod/grass it'll save us some money. You'll see one layout we received, wife didn't want free form after seeing linear.

Now some initial questions, this pool builders uses primarily Pentair. Looking for Salt Water for all quotes.

Design
We wanted some kind of waterfall feature to hear a waterfall when pump was on so initial overflow spa was changed to where the water will spill out through cutouts at a higher distance. Not sure if it's high enough though. Can this pool be sized down maybe a couple feet on the length and still look ok? The less to clean and heat the better in my book.

Controls
If I want to monitor control this thing via wall switches, app on phone, or Alexa what do I need? A lot of posts about Intellicenter is the way to go, what version (what are all the models for, Personality related).
- Wall switch inside patio door to turn on pool lights only.
- Wall switch inside patio door to turn on spa lights only.
- Alexa, turn on pool lights. Alexa, turn on spa lights. Alexa turn on pool light show. Alexa turn on spa light show.
- On app, monitor pool, turn on spa, turn on spa heater, etc.

Our house is wired for Ethernet all over the place, does Intellicenter have an ethernet connection? I prefer wired when possible.

On this site:
Wifi Switch


Would any of this third party stuff be needed if Intellicenter can do it?

Lights
Would like the multi colored light show version, what do I need? Seeing not so favorable posts about the GloBrites. Use Microbrites, IntelliBrite 5G? Which one is newer? Can a Microbrite multicolor be put in the spa? Would like the spa to have light show too. The pool is not overly large, thinking one light for each.

Spa
What is a good depth and seating height?
What about a rolled edge? Anyone have issues with just regular coping?

Pumps
They mentioned a SuperFlo Pentair VS or something.

Heater
No gas at the place. Heater was UltraTemp 120Q (127,000)

Filters
From this site:
Filters


What kind for easy maintenance, reliability, will work for this size pool? The pool will be surrounded by a cage.

Screens
No See Um screen on sides and regular on top? Is it No See Ums can't fly that high?

Finish
Company uses Florida Stucco Gem finishes similar to PebbleTec we were told.

Coolpool,

Welcome to TFP! You've found the perfect place for a newbie to Florida and Pools. A huge advantage to check things our here is we have experts in everything pool and and we don't sell anything. We're just here to help you.

Here are the comments I have on your questions where I have knowledge:

• Spa- We use ours extensively. We'd make sure 4 adults can fit comfortably
• Controls - Intellicenter can do it all. Minimum to control your pool is two valves and two or three relays but I'd get some room to grow I8PS. This has the capability of controlling 8 relays. You can also set up 100 schedule. It works with smart phones, tablets, computers. I wouldn't mess with any controls on the wall in your house. We control with phones exclusively. We often are out for dinner and set the spa to heat up while we eat then enjoy a beverage in the spa. You can use wired Ethernet but I don't know why you'd do that way other than to tie in to your WiFi unless you're super-concerned about WiFi security.
• Lights, I have 2nd generation LED's and they're starting to fail after 6 years. If you go with LED's make sure you go with the kind that don't require a proprietary fitting. I'll defer to others on the rest. We do love the LED features but have been disappointed with reliablility given their cost. They're getting much better now but I'm not sure which are really the best ones right now
• Pumps - go with the 3 hp VS Pentair. It's the best one on the market.
• Filter - we have a cartridge 200 sq ft for 12,800 gal and a screen enclosure. Works fine and I wouldn't go any smaller for the gallons. If you don't go with a screen you'll need at least one size up. Our cartridge is cleaned every 6 month and takes about 20 min with a comb fitting on a hose. We replace the cartridge every 3 years.
• Screens - we have full enclosure and it's one of the best things we did. We did not go with ultra fine mesh. Didn't need it and we live on a wetland preserve. Problem with ultra fine mesh is it blocks wind and sun. We can leave the door open with impunity. No bugs!

I hope this is helpful.

Chris

 

[kimkats]

@setsailsoon can you address the edge around your spa. Is is smooth, rolled, unfinished??? What about your depths in the spa? What depth do most of the people gravitate towards?

Kim (I know the answers but want if to come from you as you live it THANKS! )

 

[setsailsoon]

@setsailsoon can you address the edge around your spa. Is is smooth, rolled, unfinished??? What about your depths in the spa? What depth do most of the people gravitate towards?

Kim (I know the answers but want if to come from you as you live it THANKS! )

Sure, here you go:

From the floor of the spa to the seating level it is 18.5". We also have a step in the center opposite of the spillover that is 10.5" down from the top surface of the spa. The next step down to the seat level is about 12". We find this very comfortable for getting in and out. The edges are all rounded. Would not want any sharp edges at all. Here's the rounded edge of pavers at the top:



Here is the step, you can also see the curved edge of the tiles at the edge of the seat:



We spend a LOT of time each year in the spa and we find these dimensions very workable for us and most of our friends. My wife is about 5'6" and I'm 6'. Some of our friends that are "a little older" and/or out of shape wish we had a hand rail so they sit on the edge and skootch in. Doing this with a sharp edge would be a non-starter. Like-wise you would not want the edge of the seat to be sharp. We have an off brand gem coat finish and love it-rough enough that there is no chance to slip but not so rough that it hurts feet or causes rub burn on the skin.

The spa is 800 gallons and two adults can sit comfortably on each side of the step. Our usual routine is to heat it to 94 degrees while we're still in the pool. Takes about 20 minutes. Then we get in and ease the temp up to about 100 deg F. We start to get a little hot then so we turn on the bubbler and the cold water in the pipe cools us off quick. We do this a couple of times 'till we're wrinkled like raisins then jump back in the pool for a final swim before we get out. We do all the adjustments from our phone app.

I hope this helps.

Chris

 

[jimim]

Pretty much control Jim r will chime in. He will give you all that info. I would recommend a hardwire internet connection on whatever u do so the signal is as strong and reliable as possible.

 

[CoolPool131]

Wow, thanks all for the replies. Meeting with the PB next week again to go over some of these comments and design.

I would have varied heights for the seating. Some people will want the water up to here while some will want it to here so....adjust it so everyone will have a place to sit and be able to move to get lower or higher as wanted.
Rolled edge vs regular coping-Have you been in a granite spa before? I have not but to me the rolled edge would win as it has to be more more comfortable just going on my gut.

Waterfall heights-There is such a thing as too much water noise when you are in the pool trying to have a good chat. It will be very hard to tell what it will sound like as each one is so different. Does the PB have any of different heights so you can hear them and go from there.

I did see the multi level seating somewhere, I'll explore that, thanks. Perusing, saw some picts on a rolled edge and they look nice. The pool PB did give us references, we are going to see if any have various waterfall features and heights so we can do a site visit. I wanted to put waterfall feature away from the beach area, like you said, too much noise, maybe on the other side of the pool. I wanted to do the three step (step/higher step with waterfall/step) on the outside wall but other half doesn't want to block the lake view.

I wouldn't mess with any controls on the wall in your house. We control with phones exclusively.
If you go with LED's make sure you go with the kind that don't require a proprietary fitting.

That's what I was thinking too on the switches, maybe don't need them. When we were looking for houses, we ran across one with a wall switch to turn on the lights. Controlling the pool was done from some thermostat looking device in the washer/dryer area.

The Microbrites are a standard fitting. Just not sure on the Intellibrites. Just not sure which one is newer or better. Been reading posts about failing Intellibrite lights and boards, etc., making me wonder about the whole multi color show now. Apparently there are now 3rd party boards (florida-sunseeker) for the Intellicenter.

From the floor of the spa to the seating level it is 18.5". We also have a step in the center opposite of the spillover that is 10.5" down from the top surface of the spa. The next step down to the seat level is about 12". We find this very comfortable for getting in and out.

Ah, I was thinking about a step or something to make it easier to get in and out for those "little older" visitors just didn't know how to incorporate.

Pretty much control Jim r will chime in. He will give you all that info. I would recommend a hardwire internet connection on whatever u do so the signal is as strong and reliable as possible.

Thanks. We just had electric and ethernet run outside high on the lanai wall for future hanging TV so we should be able to get ethernet run to whereever this pool control box is going.

 

[CoolPool131]

Pumps - go with the 3 hp VS Pentair. It's the best one on the market

No exactly sure...what's the difference between the Intelliflow (3HP) and the Superflow (1.5HP) other than the HP? Will they both with Intellicenter?

 

[setsailsoon]

No exactly sure...what's the difference between the Intelliflow (3HP) and the Superflow (1.5HP) other than the HP? Will they both with Intellicenter?

Cool,

I'm not a Pentair expert but I looked closely at their pumps when I recently upgraded to VS. The one I really like is the Pentair Intelliflo 011028. The higher HP also has the larger impeller that allows you to move more water at slower speed. Also the Intelliflo has better control features (8 speeds instead of 3). In the end I couldn't get funding approved by senior management (my wife) so I ended up going a much cheaper route of replacing the motor with a VS that's inferior to the Superflo option. Before you decide let's make sure a real expert weighs in on this. @Jimrahbe @ajw22 can one of you please respond?

Chris

 

[mknauss]

Will they both with Intellicenter?

Only the Intelliflo pump will integrate with the Intellicenter. The Superflo cannot be easily controlled by Pentair automation.

 

[Jimrahbe]

131,

Marty is spot on... The only VS pump that is designed to be connected to Pentair Automation is the 3 HP IntelliFlo. You will be very disappointed if you get something else.

I suggest that you buy the 3 HP VS IntelliFlo.. There is no such thing as too big when it comes to variable speeds pumps. They really should be called variable Horsepower pumps, because that is what they are.. You only run them at the speed needed for the specific situation. The good thing about running a large VS pump is that you can run it slower and still move more water than a smaller VS pump.

My IntelliFlo runs 24/7 and my total cost is less than $20 bucks a month.. Running 24/7 is not at all required.. it is just something I personally like to do.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[schuetteknight]

We are in W. MLB, and just finishing up our build. Keep the post up! Good luck

 

[CoolPool131]

A whirl wind trip to move stuff to Florida. Got it all in a 26' footer, whew. Met with PB, they do a lot of nice pools but they did not install any Intellicenter's yet. Correct, the Intellicenter is the newer stuff? They were pricing the Easy Touch and Screen Logic. They do have a step for a spa now. The filter is cartridge type. PB said he switched personal pool from DE to cartridge, just easier to maintain.

We are in W. MLB, and just finishing up our build. Keep the post up! Good luck

We were looking a finishes, I think between Freestone Tropical Blue and Freestone Tahiti. Do you have various pictures at different times of the day, maybe night too with lights on of the Tahiti?

 

[Jimrahbe]

131,

I have the EasyTouch with ScreenLogic and love it... That said, if I were to build a new pool today it would have an IntelliCenter.. It is just better..

As an example.. I can only have a maximum of 12 schedule/programs.. The IC can have 100. With the EasyTouch, what you buy is what you get. It has no real ability to be upgraded.. the IC is modular.. If you want something extra, you just add it... I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. From an installation point of view, there really is not a lot of differences.. If the installer knows how to install an EasyTouch, then he knows enough to install an IntelliCenter.

Cost of the IntelliCenter is about $200 bucks more than an EasyTouch + ScreenLogic. But keep in mind that the IC comes with a ScreenLogic like system built-in. It cost an additional $500 bucks to add ScreenLogic to the EasyTouch.. (I am talking cost to buy, not what a pool builder might charge you..)

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[schuetteknight]

A whirl wind trip to move stuff to Florida. Got it all in a 26' footer, whew. Met with PB, they do a lot of nice pools but they did not install any Intellicenter's yet. Correct, the Intellicenter is the newer stuff? They were pricing the Easy Touch and Screen Logic. They do have a step for a spa now. The filter is cartridge type. PB said he switched personal pool from DE to cartridge, just easier to maintain.



We were looking a finishes, I think between Freestone Tropical Blue and Freestone Tahiti. Do you have various pictures at different times of the day, maybe night too with lights on of the Tahiti?

 

[schuetteknight]

.

 

[CoolPool131]

Thanks! What tile is that? Sort of looks like the one we liked.

 

[schuetteknight]

I don't remember the name. But it's really nicely textured and matches great with the darker interior.

Also here is some pictures from this morning around 830 on a cloudy day. This was one of the "standard " options not an upgrade.

I should be getting my final inspection today. And hopefully next week they will finish painting the deck.

I can't wait until this project is over!!!

 

[CoolPool131]

Great, thanks for the extra picts.

 

[CoolPool131]

Just got word from the PB. Remember the earlier statement I made [Met with PB, they do a lot of nice pools but they did not install any Intellicenter's yet.]. Well, they said their Pentair rep won't sell it to them because of too many issues. Frustrating. I thought the Intellicenter was a little easier being just one unit and with the recent firmware updates they are correcting issues. If I have to get the EasyTouch with ScreenLogic should I still get the 3HP pump?