New Austin Build - We have a Pool!

[jdogbyo]

And we are under way! One thing is for sure, I could build a limestone quarry in my backyard! Today is day three of excavation and they are only about halfway through it. There was 2 feet of soil and then a good 3 feet of solid limestone!

 

[kimkats]

OH MY!!! Did you have a clue the stone was there?? I bet that hit the wallet pretty hard

SO let the mud/dirt/rocks begin!!!

Kim

 

[dianedebuda]

OH MY!!! Did you have a clue the stone was there??

It's Austin, so rock is a given. Think we have more like 2 in instead of 2 ft of dirt over the rock where I'm at.

 

[jdogbyo]

Yes, it is definitely a given. Luckily, my PB does not charge any additional, no matter how much stone there is. They are still pounding away on it today. I’d say another day and they should be done with excavation (I hope)! The bright side is I now have a lot of limestone boulders to use for landscaping! Progress pictures from today.

 

[jtburf]

Yes, it is definitely a given. Luckily, my PB does not charge any additional, no matter how much stone there is. They are still pounding away on it today. I’d say another day and they should be done with excavation (I hope)! The bright side is I now have a lot of limestone boulders to use for landscaping! Progress pictures from today.

This pool is going to ROCK!!!!…

 

[kimkats]

OH NO YOU DID NOT GO THERE!!!! Good one!!!

So when they say done run out there with the plans and a tape measure..........is it long, wide, deep, etc enough? Add about 8" for the steel, shell, plaster.

Kim

 

[jdogbyo]

Excavation complete....finally. You can see the nice ring of limestone around the entire pool. We also had an owl interested in the pool build and took up residence in our owl box!

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I think I am going to try the aeration before spending money on a chiller.

This is what I decided after doing some research on pool chillers. Everything I read indicated the dedicated chillers would reduce water temps by 10 degrees. The aeration style chillers that thread onto the return ports claim the same temp drop.

Good luck on the build! I'm interested to see this one finished! Love the design!

Thank you,

 

[kimkats]

That is SO neat about the owl!!!

Kim (working on getting the pics fixed)

 

[qpc1263]

Thank you for the information. In terms of price, how much extra should i plan to spend to have the Fusion SOFT in place of the Nature 2? Or have the Fusion Soft and a simple tablet feeder which can be used as well, if needed?

I think I am going to try the aeration before spending money on a chiller.

And we are under way! One thing is for sure, I could build a limestone quarry in my backyard! Today is day three of excavation and they are only about halfway through it. There was 2 feet of soil and then a good 3 feet of solid limestone!

 

[qpc1263]

That's the Austin ground. Your contractor should have warned you of the possibility of hitting lots of rock. You can't dig more than 6 inches without a jackhammer around here.

 

[jdogbyo]

Rebar has been going in for a couple days. I believe they are almost complete. How does it look so far. Not sure what I should be checking for? Have to make final selections for stone and tile soon Thanks all!

 

[kimkats]

Take the plans and a tape measure out to the pool. Is it wide, long, deep, etc enough? Add about 6" for the shell and plaster. NOW is the time to fix if needed.

 

[jdogbyo]

This is what I decided after doing some research on pool chillers. Everything I read indicated the dedicated chillers would reduce water temps by 10 degrees. The aeration style chillers that thread onto the return ports claim the same temp drop.

Good luck on the build! I'm interested to see this one finished! Love the design!

Thank you,

Have you used the threaded aeration style PVC chiller? Did it work for you?

My only concern is the pool will get direct sun for about 6 hours a day...

 

[jdogbyo]

Plumbing has been going on the last couple days! Anything specific I should look out for during plumbing?

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Have you used the threaded aeration style PVC chiller? Did it work for you?

My only concern is the pool will get direct sun for about 6 hours a day...

I have not yet. My pool was just completed in January. My pool will get direct sun until about 5-6pm, during the summer months. Since I have not had the pool through the summer yet, I am not even certain I will need to use them, but will be watching my temps as the summer progresses to determine.

So, unfortunately, I can't attest to their effectiveness, yet. But I do know that I certainly did not have the space for the ginormous chillers I was looking at. So, that along with the cost, and the advertised temp deltas for both items, made it an easy decision.

I also have waterfalls, bubblers and deck jets that I can use to get more air exposure to the water, so may not have to use the return jet chillers. We will see how the summer progresses.

--Jeff

 

[jdogbyo]

I have not yet. My pool was just completed in January. My pool will get direct sun until about 5-6pm, during the summer months. Since I have not had the pool through the summer yet, I am not even certain I will need to use them, but will be watching my temps as the summer progresses to determine.

So, unfortunately, I can't attest to their effectiveness, yet. But I do know that I certainly did not have the space for the ginormous chillers I was looking at. So, that along with the cost, and the advertised temp deltas for both items, made it an easy decision.

I also have waterfalls, bubblers and deck jets that I can use to get more air exposure to the water, so may not have to use the return jet chillers. We will see how the summer progresses.

--Jeff

Thanks, Jeff. That is my plan as well. I’ve got 3 sheer descents, the bubbler and 5’ spa spillway. It will be trial and error throughout the summer to see what will work best!

 

[linzi618]

I’m in Pflugerville with a 20K gunite that goes to 7’ in the deep end. Have had the pool since 2017...we are east of 35 so we are in clay as opposed to the limestone bedrock of west Austin. Anyhow...I thought we might need chillers but after 2+ summers of 100+ heat and direct sun most of the day, our pool at the hottest gets to the low 90s. Not uncomfortable at all. We also have a waterfall, two scuppers and a spa spillover to move the water. The main issue is the aeration makes maintaining the pH more challenging. I’ve only started the TFP method this year starting a month ago, so I haven’t babysat my CSI in the hotter weather/warmer pool temps yet. I’m hovering around 80 degree pool temps now.

 

[jdogbyo]

I’m in Pflugerville with a 20K gunite that goes to 7’ in the deep end. Have had the pool since 2017...we are east of 35 so we are in clay as opposed to the limestone bedrock of west Austin. Anyhow...I thought we might need chillers but after 2+ summers of 100+ heat and direct sun most of the day, our pool at the hottest gets to the low 90s. Not uncomfortable at all. We also have a waterfall, two scuppers and a spa spillover to move the water. The main issue is the aeration makes maintaining the pH more challenging. I’ve only started the TFP method this year starting a month ago, so I haven’t babysat my CSI in the hotter weather/warmer pool temps yet. I’m hovering around 80 degree pool temps now.

That is great insight, thank you. Seems like the aeration may do the trick. I am curious about controlling the pH as well as I will be doing it myself.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I am getting ready to install the IntellipH. Several other members here have done so and it seems to do the trick well.

--Jeff