Tampa Bay Lap Pool

[SunnyFlorida]

I’m in the process of meeting builders for a pool. It’s going to be a skinny lap pool due to setbacks. The dimensions are 7’-6” x 45’ and between 3’ to 4’-10” deep. Below are some details of what the lowest bid includes:
The circulation system incorporates a high-flow pump and filter and utilizes larger PVC pipe sizes and sweep elbows in the plumbing to increase the flow rate.

• IntelliPro variable speed circulation pump by Sta Rite Industries
• 60 sq. ft. System 3 DE filter by Sta Rite Industries
• IntelliChlor chlorine generator (salt) by Pentair
• Dedicated suction vacuum line
• Lube-free diverter valves by Pentair
• Four venturi surface returns
• Two surface skimmers
• Two main drains
• 3 Globrite color- changing LED underwater lights.
• IntelliConnect automation system

I can upgrade to the A&A Quickclean Xtreme pool cleaner w/leaf canister & Eco Skim for $2750. Is this upgrade recommended? Or any other input on the options that I should be concerned with. The pool won’t get much use, its mainly for decoration, and I'm looking for the lowest maintenance costs possible.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Sunny,

Since you have no water features, I can't think of any reason you need a "High Flow pump"... As a reference, I run my IntelliFlo pump 24/7 at 1200 RPM for less than $20 bucks a month..

You don't have to run 24/7, it is just something that I like to do.. I also have a SWCG and this allows me to generate a little chlorine all the time and I like the idea that I am skimming all the time. Running faster does not help and is only needed if you buy into all the "Venturi" marketing hype.

The whole point of having a VS pump is so that you can run at a low RPM to save on the electrical bill..

I would skip the "A&A Quickclean Xtreme pool cleaner w/leaf canister & Eco Skim for $2750." as it is all marketing and just not needed.

I have three pools and three Dolphin robot cleaners.. They will clean better than any water powered cleaner can ever do and they will also clean the water line tile and scrub the walls.

Not sure how to fix it, but the stairs will be in the way of a real lap pool..

Let's see what our other members have to say...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

What do you mean by “larger PVC sizes “ and why do you think you need high flow rates for your simple lap pool?

A low flow is all you need.

How many gallons will be in the pool?

What model IntelliChlor cell?

 

[SunnyFlorida]

• Sunny,
  
  Since you have no water features, I can't think of any reason you need a "High Flow pump"... As a reference, I run my IntelliFlo pump 24/7 at 1200 RPM for less than $20 bucks a month..
  
  You don't have to run 24/7, it is just something that I like to do.. I also have a SWCG and this allows me to generate a little chlorine all the time and I like the idea that I am skimming all the time. Running faster does not help and is only needed if you buy into all the "Venturi" marketing hype.
  
  The whole point of having a VS pump is so that you can run at a low RPM to save on the electrical bill..
  
  I would skip the "A&A Quickclean Xtreme pool cleaner w/leaf canister & Eco Skim for $2750." as it is all marketing and just not needed.
  
  I have three pools and three Dolphin robot cleaners.. They will clean better than any water powered cleaner can ever do and they will also clean the water line tile and scrub the walls.
  
  Not sure how to fix it, but the stairs will be in the way of a real lap pool..
  
  Let's see what our other members have to say...
  
  Thanks,
  
  Jim R.

• Jim,
  Thank you for the detailed reply. I should add I won’t be doing any laps in the pool. I might wet my feet here and there, and my dog hates water so there won’t be much use. I am planing on adding a sunshelf before the steps. Do you have any opinions on Stonescapes mini-pebble interior finish upgrade for $2250, vs. standard color Wet Edge Luna Quartz exposed quartz aggregate (included)?
  
  
  
  
  

 

[SunnyFlorida]

• What do you mean by “larger PVC sizes “ and why do you think you need high flow rates for your simple lap pool?
  
  A low flow is all you need.
  
  How many gallons will be in the pool?
  
  What model IntelliChlor cell?

• So the larger PVC quote I pasted directly from the quote. I have no clue. The designer did say that because of the 45’ length, a greater water flow was needed.
• I will ask how many gallons. I only received the dimensions of 7’-6” x 45’ and 3’ to 4’-10” deep.
• It says I have a choice between IC20 and IC40 IntelliChlor.

 

[ajw22]

Better you focus on the number of skimmers and returns to give you good water circulation at a low flow.

I have a 20x50’ pool that works fine with 2 skimmers + main drain and 3 returns with a pump running at 1800 rpm. Your pool is not that big that it needs anything special. The designer is pumping up your pool for your or his ego or to pump up the price.

We recommend the SWG cell be sized for 2X the pool volume. An IC20 will do up to 10,000 gallons. After that up to 20,000 gallons an IC40 will do.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Do you have any opinions on Stonescapes mini-pebble interior finish upgrade for $2250, vs. standard color Wet Edge Luna Quartz exposed quartz aggregate (included)?

Sunny,

I'd go with the mini-pebble, but it is more of a personal choice thing.. Try to see both, and if you, can walk on it.. Your pool builder should be able to arrange it..

If you are not going to use the pool, then why are you getting a 10' deep end??

My "guess" is that your pool will be about 18,500 gallons.. The IC20 is just not going to be big enough, I suggest the IC40.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[gingrbredman]

When I see a quote, today, that includes things like IntelliConnect, GloBrites, and an "upgraded" in wall pool cleaner, I always think of the old pool guy who doesn't really keep up with the newest things in pool builds. This isn't to say the builder doesn't know how to build a really nice pool for what you are looking for, just seems a bit dated in some of the choices. Add to this the decision to quote the pumps that do not seem to fit, it would give me a chance to think through the "fit" of all these things with your new pool.

Aside from the pumps and the "upgraded" pool cleaner that were addressed above, I would think about changing the automation system to at least the EasyTouch (NOT Lite version) and the lights to Microbrites.

You will not have a lot of features that warrant a huge investment into automation, but the for the IntelliConnect system, I feel Pentair threw in their portfolio to create some kind of "intelligent" automation system as an "upgrade" to their tried and true Easy Touch platform. They fixed their "mistake" by releasing the Intellicenter, so for my take, the Intelliconnect is just the least expensive way to add automation, but really not giving you the best interface. The Easy Touch system comes with the integration for the SWCG, and when you add ScreenLogic, you get a nice interface to control your pool. Control timers, lights, etc. Add the right pump in their like the Pentair VSP Intellflo, and you have a really nice automation system. The Intellicenter would be an upgrade to the Easy Touch, but some builders who do not keep up on the technologies may be hesitant to install them, but should be about the same price. You can't go wrong with the Easy Touch with Screenlogic, but would be best to have the Intellicenter. A lot of members here have the Easy Touch or the Intellicenter so any help needed would be easy to get. That's just my take on automation.

As for the lights, I'd look at changing them to at least Microbrites to stay in the Pentair family. These do not require a special niche for installation, just a standard 1.5" pipe that would be standard for almost all new lights. One day, your globrites will go out, and since they have a proprietary niche, your replacement options get limited. This is not Pentair's newest light either, so the risk could be one day they discontinue that light, and then the options get real limited. As for the number of them, I'd say you would want four of them along the wall with the length. Maybe three globrites would be enough, but for the Microbrites, I'd say 4. I have three of them in my 30' long pool, and they are plenty. A little longer and I'd add a fourth one.



I do like they are using Pentair valves as opposed to standard ball valves. I have these in my setup and I like them a lot.

Best of luck with the build! I had easement issues, setbacks, etc., so I appreciate the work that goes into fitting a pool in the right space.

 

[Newdude]

Hey Sunny and welcome !! Whenever we see builds it’s usually wall height and not water depth. So take whatever measurements you are given and subtract 4 to 6 inches to get your actual water depth. I’m concerned that the 3 ft shallow end won’t be enough for lap swimming because you’ll end up with 2.5 to 2.75 ft of water. Everybody will hit their hands at that depth. 3.5ft actual is better and 4ft would ensure that anyone can swim freely.

 

[Newdude]

I ran some quick general math for you. When you get your bid, you’re basically paying X for Y square ft of material and the labor to install it. (There’s more too it of course but let’s just use this as an example to get an idea). If you went deeper the floor material stays the same and a 3.5 ft average depth would be 705 sq ft. A 4ft average depth would be 757.5 sq ft so it would only require about 8% more materials/labor and a similar increase in price. (Give or take $6400 more on an $80k bid). They’ve already saved you close to half of that on the unnecessary cleaners and can probably make up most of the rest with better equipment/configurations.

It’s something that you would thank yourself for doing over and over for years to come.

 

[usfbull]

• Jim,
  Thank you for the detailed reply. I should add I won’t be doing any laps in the pool. I might wet my feet here and there, and my dog hates water so there won’t be much use. I am planing on adding a sunshelf before the steps.
  
  
  

Will someone other than yourself be using the pool? Seems awfully expensive a huge maintenance uptake for wetting ones feet

 

[SunnyFlorida]

Sunny,

I'd go with the mini-pebble, but it is more of a personal choice thing.. Try to see both, and if you, can walk on it.. Your pool builder should be able to arrange it..

If you are not going to use the pool, then why are you getting a 10' deep end??

My "guess" is that your pool will be about 18,500 gallons.. The IC20 is just not going to be big enough, I suggest the IC40.

Thanks,

Jim R.

It’s 4’ 10”. I am emailing to make sure I get the IC40.

 

[Jimrahbe]

It’s 4’ 10”.

Duh!! I read that wrong..

Makes much more sense now...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Dtkokay]

How and who are going to use the pool? The reason I ask is that 4’10” for the deep end is pretty shallow. With kids, who love to jump into the pool, I’d go at least 6’ deep on that end, and add a shallow bench between the pool and house to get out of the deep end.