New pool equipment

[Dansil]

I have never owned a pool before but we are building a new home and family wanted to enjoy a pool. We decided on a 15’ x 30’ saltwater, fiberglass pool with a tanning ledge (11,250 gallons) and the proposal we received included the following:
Backfill: pea gravel 3/8”
Pump: VS700
Filter: DE 4820
Automation: Omni PL (plumbing kit and salt cell system)
Heater: Heat Pump 140K
Lights: LED ColorLogic
Recessed Automatic pool safety cover
18" coping to cover the pool box and keep things symmetrical around the pool

I wanted to suggest replacing the DE filter with a cartridge filter (I thought this would be less maintenance and not have to worry about DE toxicity) and replace the Heat Pump with a gas heater (I’m in northern NJ and wanted to have the option of extending the pool season in cooler weather and the convenance of a quicker heat up). Any recommendations on what size cartridge filter and gas heater I should go with (I heard bigger is better)? I was also thinking about pouring a cement pad for the equipment but not exactly sure how big (4’ x 6’)? Is there anything, I should ask about the design of returns, skimmer, cover? I’m trying to read up on equipment but any advice from experienced pool owners would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[cowboycasey]

The bigger the filter the better, I have a Pentair clean and clear plus 320 with a 15,000 gallon pool and clean mine once a year, the PSI never increases more than 2 PSI (14 at start of season and 15.5 at end) Pentair Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Filter | 320 Sq. Ft. | 160340

a 400k gas heater will heat faster especially in the cooler months when you are wanting to use it...

My pad is about 5 x 8 and plenty of room

 

[ajw22]

You are getting Hayward equipment:

• Pump TriStar VS700 - good pump
• Filter - Consider a Swimclear C3030 over the DE filter
• Automation & SWG - Omni PL with SWG - good - get the T-15 cell
• Heater - there is no substitute for BTUs. If you have the NG service. Get the H400FDN over the Heat Pump.
• Lights - which model Colorlogic are you getting? How many? I recommend the 1.5" nicheless lights which will not lock you into a specific light in the future.
• Don't pour the concrete equipment pad over any pipes. Bring the pipes up on the side of the pad so you can get to the pipes if needed.

SwimClear Multi-Element | Filters | In Ground Pool Filters - Hayward Pool Products

SwimClear cartridge filters provide the most energy efficient flow and save up to 2,500 gallons of water per year by eliminating the need to backwash. Available in a wide variety of sizes to meet the needs of all swimming pool requirements.

www.hayward-pool.com

Universal H-Series | Heaters | In Ground Pool Heaters - Hayward Pool Products

Hayward's pool heater saves money by being the most energy efficient solution for any pool/spa. It's designed for ultimate performance, comfort and durability while being environmentally responsible. For rapid comfort, we offer the Universal solution.

www.hayward-pool.com

Lighting

Elevate your pool with Hayward's captivating lighting products. Experience ambiance and safety with energy-efficient LED lights and color-changing options.

www.hayward-pool.com

Reading for you...

Fiberglass Pools - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Dansil]

Perfect, just the recommendations I was looking for the filter, heater and pad. I will verify if I'm getting T-15 cell. The lights are Lacus 320 / ColorLogic 320 1.5-inch LED Lights (I don't know if these are nicheless lights but I will check). Many thanks!!!

 

[RHanna]

For some reason I thought I read somewhere not to use pea gravel (or sand or dirt) for backfill but hopefully some of the more educated members will chime in

 

[ajw22]

For some reason I thought I read somewhere not to use pea gravel (or sand or dirt) for backfill but hopefully some of the more educated members will chime in

Pea gravel is most often recommended for the base of fiberglass pools.

You don't use pea gravel as fill around walls of a liner pool.

Gravel Around Pools - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[csconner]

RE: fiberglass backfill, this is considered best practices: #57. Crushed stone refers to stone that is about ¾”, support your pipe with zip ties.

 

[gingrbredman]

Reading other FG pool threads, seems like some builders refer to the gravel they use for backfill as "pea gravel", but that can just a generic term they use to refer to the smaller type stone. They aren't using "actual" pea gravel like we all think of when that word is used, like the stuff they put down around playgrounds. I have read that a few times around here..... builder is just using their own "lingo', but following the proper recommendations of the fiberglass shell manufacturing instructions. Each FG shell producer has a set of "installation instructions" which specifically call out materials, I'd check that out and confirm with the builder the materials they are using follow these instructions.

 

[PoolGate]

Going cartridge is very smart! NG is great but will run you $500/month in season. Consider switching your gas bill to "budget" billing where they even out your bills for the year. It'll add about $150/month to your bill. Any reason you are going with the auto-cover? They are nice but they block UV meaning the pool may "smell like a pool" more often and get built-up CCs (~ dirty chlorine). Opening it daily for a few hours will help with CCs. They are also very expensive. Are you getting automation? Any water features?

 

[Dansil]

I consulted with my pool builder on the proposal and I am replacing the DE 48 with Swim Clear C4030 Cartridge filter and replacing the Heat Pump 140K with NG heater H400FDN. I was going back and forth a little bit on the heater but considering the pool will be in full sun all day, auto cover will help and the pool is not too big, I decided to go with the NG heater to perform better in cooler weather and quicker warm ups Vs anticipated higher operating costs and it will probably not last as long as a heat pump. I went with the auto pool cover for the reason I guess most people do, the convenience factor. I decided to have it recessed so that the cover's leading edge is not noticeable (a little tricky with a fiberglass pool where you can't lower the side of the pool where the cover is). I wasn't too sure about pool lighting but the proposal included 3 lights (might be little over kill for this size pool but I think we can make it work). Each light will have a home run to the panel. I will have pool automation via Hayward OmniPL. My understanding is that I will be able to control a bunch of stuff (pump, lighting, cover.. and landscape lighting). There will be no water or fire features. To be honest, It took me a while to get over the sticker shock but I feel pretty good about the project, only time will tell if I've made the right pool and builder choices.

 

[gingrbredman]

Pretty exciting all the updates for you I'm sure!

A couple things from a FG pool owner here....

My understanding is that I will be able to control a bunch of stuff (pump, lighting, cover..

You won't be able to control the cover with the automation. I know Pentair has an automation tie in with Coverstar so you can know the status of the cover, but you can not actually control the cover to open or close with the automation. Not sure exactly how Haward works it, but from what I understand about the safety controls of these covers, the cover controls need to be mounted in view of the pool, and someone actually has to be present when operating the cover.

I decided to go with the NG heater to perform better in cooler weather and quicker warm ups

Excellent choice!

I decided to have it recessed so that the cover's leading edge is not noticeable (a little tricky with a fiberglass pool where you can't lower the side of the pool where the cover is).

FG shells are a little trickier to install an auto cover for sure. Depending on the shell manufacturer, and the cover manufacturer and their finishing touches, the results could be different. What shell and cover brands are you going with?

I ask because I've had some issues with the finishing touches on my Latham shell and Coverstar cover. Will get it worked out this spring, but some things to consider upfront are some issues I have dealt with. See the pictures of mine in this thread....
My cover and shell

 

[Dansil]

Pretty exciting all the updates for you I'm sure!

A couple things from a FG pool owner here....


You won't be able to control the cover with the automation. I know Pentair has an automation tie in with Coverstar so you can know the status of the cover, but you can not actually control the cover to open or close with the automation. Not sure exactly how Haward works it, but from what I understand about the safety controls of these covers, the cover controls need to be mounted in view of the pool, and someone actually has to be present when operating the cover.


Excellent choice!


FG shells are a little trickier to install an auto cover for sure. Depending on the shell manufacturer, and the cover manufacturer and their finishing touches, the results could be different. What shell and cover brands are you going with?

I ask because I've had some issues with the finishing touches on my Latham shell and Coverstar cover. Will get it worked out this spring, but some things to consider upfront are some issues I have dealt with. See the pictures of mine in this thread....
My cover and shell

My bad, you're absolutely right about the cover automation. I can control it but as you said not through my OmniPL automation (for safety reasons). My shell is a Pinnacle 30 from Leisure and I will be discussing pool cover options but we maybe be going with Integra Pool Covers. We are looking at either cantilevering the coping to hide the cover's leading edge or recess the cover with curved tracks within the box. We may need to finish with a wider 18" coping for over the cover box and for keeping the coping symmetrical around the rest of the pool. Undecided on the coping material at this point but will probably go with a natural stone or porcelain. A few pictures the PB has shown me of pool cover installations looked pretty good, so whether the cover is recessed or hidden I think I will be alright with it. I signed the contract with the PB last night and we are very excited about it but pool construction will not happen til late this year November or possibly next spring dependent on where we are with our home.