New Pool Build in LA

[TygerB8]

Hi Everyone! I am a few months out from my new pool build here in South Louisiana. My family and I decided on a fiberglass pool (Wellspring 40 by Thursday Pools) which will be ~16' x 40' with 15.5k gals volume. I have been looking over TFP and, to be honest, I am overwhelmed with the amount of user knowledge and information to digest. I've attached a draft plot plan of my pool layout as well as the equipment quote. I'd appreciate any input and recommendations from you all who have superior knowledge than me in this area. Based on my research through the Pool School topics and forums, I have developed the following list of updates to discuss with my pool builder, but have included questions directed to the users on this forum:

1. Replace chlorinator system with a SWG rated for 2x pool volume. I believe my option here will be a Hayward TurboCell 15. Thoughts on this option?
2. Upgrade to higher pump such as Hayward TriStar VS 2.7 hp 950. Thoughts or other recs?
3. Upgrade from single cartridge filter to multi-cartridge filter. Should I consider 2, 3, or more cartridges?
4. Potential upgrade on heat/cool pump to ~130K BTU. Is an upgrade here necessary?

Thanks in advance!

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Hello!! Soooo glad you've been wandering around the halls of TFP
I do see some things to mention to you.
- Entirely too small filter.... the bigger the filter the less often it requires cleaning. Go up... 420 is a nice size
-Ditch the Inline Chlorinator and go salt. I promise you, you'll thank me later on. With your long swim season you don't want the puck CYA or calcium (an ingredient in pucks to give it shape) to build up. When it builds up you have to drain down some and refill. Nuisance! The water feels silkier using salt, anyway.
- I'd also suggest you ditch the pHin device.... totally unnecessary and expensive. Ask for credit toward a Salt System.
- He's included a lot of chemicals in your price. Most unnecessary. See if he'll trade some in towards Salt System.

Talk to use about a robot cleaner and your Test Kit.... those two are "pool savers"

Maddie

 

[ajw22]

1. Replace chlorinator system with a SWG rated for 2x pool volume. I believe my option here will be a Hayward TurboCell 15. Thoughts on this option?

Do it.

2. Upgrade to higher pump such as Hayward TriStar VS 2.7 hp 950. Thoughts or other recs?

The larger pump will be quieter running at whatever speed and flow your pool needs. With the pump being next to the house and patio you may appreciate the lower noice level.

3. Upgrade from single cartridge filter to multi-cartridge filter. Should I consider 2, 3, or more cartridges?

Yes, get a SwimClear 425 or 525 filter. You will need to clean it less often.

4. Potential upgrade on heat/cool pump to ~130K BTU. Is an upgrade here necessary?

The more BTUs the better with a heater although 120K vs 130K BTUs will not make a significant difference.

Find out who services and provides warranty support for any Heat Pump you get. Some folks have discovered when their HP failed that it was an orphan and they could not find anyone around them to repair it.

Get 3 returns and 2 skimmers. You want no flex PVC and all plumbing with 2" rigid schedule 40 PVC. Read this thread to understand why...

Imagine Illusion 40 Complete 10/19/21

I cleaned my DE filter today. It was time. I have a GSD (Cecil) who absolutely loves this pool. I can not keep him out. He will go nuts if we use the pool without him. I was looking at my pressure n it was reading it was time to clean. Tore it apart, hosed everything off and put it back...

www.troublefreepool.com

You may find this useful...

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

 

[TygerB8]

Thank you both! Re: "Get 3 returns and 2 skimmers." - Should each return and each skimmer be separately piped back to the equipment pad? Or does it not matter if the 3 returns meet at some point between pool/pad, likewise for 2 skimmers?

 

[ajw22]

Thank you both! Re: "Get 3 returns and 2 skimmers." - Should each return and each skimmer be separately piped back to the equipment pad? Or does it not matter if the 3 returns meet at some point between pool/pad, likewise for 2 skimmers?

You have the best control and flexibility if each is home run to the equipment pad and has a two way diverter valve on it.

 

[TygerB8]

You have the best control and flexibility if each is home run to the equipment pad and has a two way diverter valve on it.

Awesome, thanks! Regarding skimmer placement, the prevailing wind direction where I live is from the south. So, I'd place one on the northern end of the pool. Would the best place for the other skimmer be completely opposite side? Also, any recommendations on where to place the 3 returns? I've updated my plot plan with red circles for proposed skimmer locations and yellow stars for returns.

 

[ajw22]

I would keep it simple with returns on one side moving water to the skimmers on the other side.

Orange being the returns. Red the two skimmers.

There are ledges below where two of the returns are positioned. You need to check how much wall is above the ledge and if there is enough space between the ledge and where the water line will be to have the returns submerged even when the water is at the bottom of the skimmer mouth.

If you can't put returns above the ledges then we need to rethink it.

 

[TygerB8]

I would keep it simple with returns on one side moving water to the skimmers on the other side.

Orange being the returns. Red the two skimmers.

There are ledges below where two of the returns are positioned. You need to check how much wall is above the ledge and if there is enough space between the ledge and where the water line will be to have the returns submerged even when the water is at the bottom of the skimmer mouth.

If you can't put returns above the ledges then we need to rethink it.

View attachment 445191

Got it, thanks!