Hey guys new to the forum and have already read a lot of good content on the forum. I am in the planning phase right now and haven't even gone out for quotes yet for the build. I would love to get feedback from you guys on pool equipment. If you were starting from scratch building a brand-new saltwater pool, what equipment would you put in? Parameters for the conversation- in ground, 15,000 gallons, salt water, hot tub, looking to cool in the summer as I am in Houston,Tx. Thanks in advance for the feedback.
Saltwater Pool Equipment
- Thread starter cwscott
- Start date
Scott,
You will find that most pool builders only sell and install one brand of equipment.. So it may not matter which brand that we think is best...
I personally rank brands as follows...
1. Pentair
2. Jandy
3. Hayward
No matter what brand you get, it is best to keep all the electronics from the same brand.. So, the Automation, the VS pump, and SWCG all need to be the same brand.
We only recommend buying a salt system that is at least 2 X the volume of your pool.. In your case, at least 40K.
Suggest that you do not skimp on the equipment. It will make or break how well you enjoy your pool or the next 10 or 20 years..
I also suggest that you buy a large cartridge filter, and a large VS pump. It will pay for itself in the first couple of seasons, both with the low cost of electricity, and the ease of maintenance.
Thanks,
Jim R.
You will find that most pool builders only sell and install one brand of equipment.. So it may not matter which brand that we think is best...
I personally rank brands as follows...
1. Pentair
2. Jandy
3. Hayward
No matter what brand you get, it is best to keep all the electronics from the same brand.. So, the Automation, the VS pump, and SWCG all need to be the same brand.
We only recommend buying a salt system that is at least 2 X the volume of your pool.. In your case, at least 40K.
Suggest that you do not skimp on the equipment. It will make or break how well you enjoy your pool or the next 10 or 20 years..
I also suggest that you buy a large cartridge filter, and a large VS pump. It will pay for itself in the first couple of seasons, both with the low cost of electricity, and the ease of maintenance.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Everything that Jim stated above ^^^^^^^^^. Plus, when you get quotes from 2 PBs and one quotes Pentair and the other Jandy, well then put the info side by side and ensure equilvalant specs.
Other things just as important to the equipment selection is the plumbing.
Suggest 2 skimmers that are independently plumbed back to the equipment pad. Most plaster pools in Houston will incorporate a main drain so that also should have an independent line back to the equipment pad. Your suction lines should be minimium 2” and may require 2.5”
If you plan for a water feature, will that be run on the main filter pump or will it have an independent pump with its own suction.
Once you get past plumbing and equipment you need to think about automation. Each major equipment supplire has a variety of automation systems so post back what the PB is quoting and ask for guidance from the forums.
Other things just as important to the equipment selection is the plumbing.
Suggest 2 skimmers that are independently plumbed back to the equipment pad. Most plaster pools in Houston will incorporate a main drain so that also should have an independent line back to the equipment pad. Your suction lines should be minimium 2” and may require 2.5”
If you plan for a water feature, will that be run on the main filter pump or will it have an independent pump with its own suction.
Once you get past plumbing and equipment you need to think about automation. Each major equipment supplire has a variety of automation systems so post back what the PB is quoting and ask for guidance from the forums.
This ^^^^^ it is the backbone of the entire operation, but boring. Folks tend to blow the budget on wow items while cutting corners where they really matter.
For example, a larger filter needs proportionately less cleaning. They last a generation and going large will pay you back season after season with less maintenance. Spread the cost difference over 20 years and its peanuts.
A large variable speed pump is another biggie. The larger pump moves more water at the same RPM of a smaller pump. So the large pump can run slower while performing at the smaller pumps output, saving energy long term.
Salt is the WAY to go. I had to buy a weeks worth of chlorine, each of the last two seasons. The first time took 1.5 hours and 3 stores. The convince simply cannot be overstated, and you'll love having an 'easy mode' pool.
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,079
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
And to add, I would expect the builder to push back on salt. Most around here are not that familiar with salt and perpetuate many myths about salt. (Plus they make more $ if they can sell you UV, mineral, ozone, etc. instead).
Definitely saw the comments about buying quality equipment and if i remember correctly the heat pump in particular for salt water pools do the internals need to be like titanium or cromolley?
Definately was reading about that my neighbor has a saltwater pool so at least there are installers in the area. Waterpointe in Friendswood is one of the builders i am looking at.
Scott,
Not really, but it does not hurt... Keep in mind that saltwater pools are not like the ocean.
The ocean is about 35,000 ppm of salt.. A saltwater pool is about 3,500 ppm of salt.. About the same as your tears, so it does melt metal.
Most heaters are destroyed by low pH, and not by the chlorine or salt in the water.
Thanks,
Jim R.
If you have natural gas service then a proper heater would be best - like 400k BTU rather than a heat pump. A NG Heater will heat a spa or even a pool quicker. I have used mine from November through March to mainly heat the spa but also have on occassion heat the pool For a day or two.
SO i am about to drop specs on this thread for our pool but wanted to get feedback on in pool cleaning vs robotic cleaning worth it or NO!
Scott,
Kind of a "which is better.... a Ford or a Chevy" question.
I have three pools and three low voltage robots.. I will never have anything else..
That said there are plenty of TFP member that will disagree with me..
Thanks,
Jim R.
Kind of a "which is better.... a Ford or a Chevy" question.
I have three pools and three low voltage robots.. I will never have anything else..
That said there are plenty of TFP member that will disagree with me..
Thanks,
Jim R.
I think you find a mixed bag. I was recently in a rental home for a 4 day vacation which had in floor cleaning system. It worked great with cleaning the steps and baja shelf and pushing debris on bottom of pool. There was one area where debris accumulated that I had to take my foot to move it to the pool center. But all in all, it seemed to work great - other than stumping my toes a couple of times. I think if you have it set up properly and maintain it, it can be very beneficial. I have only been in pools with them, not an owner that has to maintain it operational.
There are many proponents for robots - I am waiting for a cordless one that works - several on the market but all have issues with operating properly. Overall, I find them very expensive for a 5-7 year life (based on what I have read on the forum). I have a pressure side cleaner cost less than $600 and been using for 15 years. I have had to change tires and some other parts but I don't think I have spent $1200 which could be a cost of a new robot today.
Be interesting to see the other replies.
LSU
Gold Supporter
- Jun 1, 2023
- 157
- Pool Size
- 22000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
We just put in our pool a bit North of you. Converted to salt 30 days after the fill. Our PB didn't tell us anything about the equipment ahead of the build or during it. I was not on this forum at the time, but luckily was on here before they stuck me with a bunch of items we really didn't need as well as trying to put in equipment that was about to be obsolete. I learned everything from the experts on here along with my own learning. Lots of info on here.
- Jan 7, 2012
- 2,132
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
This is a good starting point:
NooB Just getting started (Houston, TX)
We just signed the paperwork for a build. We are just north of Houston Texas. We are in the process of picking all the items out. We started with salt as the direction we wanted to go in, however, we were talked out of it due to the jump rocks we are getting installed. As we go through and pick...
www.troublefreepool.com
Well here is the full disclosure.
MCKINNEY CUSTOM POOLS POOL & SPA SCOTT PROJECT
CUSTOM POOL PACKAGE INCLUDES: $44,499.00 (26’9” x 9’)
1. 71 ½’ PERIMETER POOL 6’ MAX DEPTH W/ 1 ¼” EASED EDGE TRAVERTINE COPING & BASIC 6” WATER LINE TILE ($6 per sq ft allowance)
2. 9-11 RETURN LINES (VARIATION IN HEIGHT) & 2 BUBBLERS
3. 1 SKIMMER with 2” SUCTION LINES ON 45* ANGLES
4. 1 ANTI-VORTEX MAIN DRAIN with 2” SUCTION LINES ON 45 ANGLES
5. STEEL DETAIL: 3/8” REBAR 8” O.C., 4” O.C. ON ALL DEPTH TRANSITIONS GREATER THAN 5’ IN DEPTH, 4 - #4, ½” REBAR ON BOND BEAM
6. GUNITE SHELL: 7.1 (SACKS/SAND) RATIO
7. POOL EQUIPMENT PAD, SHOT with GUNITE & STEEL REINFORCEMENT
8. ALL ELECTRICAL RUNS INCLUDED (up to 100’, $10 per additional foot)
9. ELECTRICAL SUB PANEL (if needed is $400 additional), ADD $400.00
10. OUTDOOR LIGHT AT EQUIPMENT PAD (homeowner to provide light bulbs)
11. HAYWARD 2.7 THP TRISTAR 950 VARIABLE SPEED EE PUMP
12. HAYWARD C 4030 CARTRIDGE FILTER
13. THREE HAYWARD UNIVERSAL 320 LED POOL LIGHTS
14. OMNI CONTROL SYSTEM W/ INTERMATIC SURGE PROTECTOR
15. HAYWARD ROBOTIC POOL CLEANER w/ GFCI OUTLET (if needed)
16. SEWER LINE (per city requirements)
17. AUTOFILL / OVERFLOW SYSTEM
18. AQUA RITE SALT SYSTEM- 40,000 gal
19. PLASTER FINISHES; WET EDGE: QUARTZ POLAR WHITE or MARTINIQUE / SIGNATURE MATRIX PEBBLE: SALT & PEPPER, CRYSTAL BLUE or COASTAL BLUE (FREE UPGRADE)
20. START UP KIT INCLUDING: NET, BRUSH, POLE, TEST KIT, HOSE AND VACUUM ATTACHMENT
21. ONE MONTH FREE POOL MAINTENANCE (FREE UPGRADE)
CUSTOM SPA PACKAGE INCLUDES: $15,999.00
1. 6’ x 9’ RECTANGLE SPA w/ 12” BEAM, RAISED 12”, 3 ½’ MAX DEPTH W/ 1 ¼” EASED EDGE TRAVERTINE COPING, SPLITFACE STONE OR 6” BASIC TILE SPA SURROUND AND 6” BASIC WATER LINE TILE ($6 per sq ft allowance)
2. 9’ NEGATIVE EDGE SPILLWAY
3. 8 HAYWARD MASSAGE JETS w/ PULSE-FLO & ADJUSTA-FLO HEADS
4. 1 ANTI-VORTEX MAIN DRAIN with 2 1/2” SUCTION LINES ON 45* ANGLES
5. HAYWARD H-SERIES 500,000 LOW NOX HEATER (60’ gas run included $10 per ft additional)
6. HAYWARD 1.5 HP AIR BLOWER 7. TWO HAYWARD UNIVERSAL 320 LED SPA LIGHTS 8. PLASTER FINISH; SAME PLASTER AS THE POOL ____ ____
12” RAISED BEAM WALL………………………….…………….……..…….$150.00 PER FT. (Includes Splitface Stone Facing / Spray Deck Finish on Back) ADD 13’ WALL = $1950.00
18” RAISED BEAM WALL………………………….…………….……..…….$200.00 PER FT. (Includes Splitface Stone Facing / Spray Deck Finish on Back) ADD 15’ WALL = $3000.00
GREAT AMERICAN WATERFALL SHEERS..………..………….24” $650.00 (3) = $1950.00
HAYWARD HEAT/CHILL PUMP……………………..………………………………$6500.00 (Includes 80’ of Electrical Run)
ADDITIONAL TRISTAR EE PUMPS……..……….…………VARIABLE SPEED $2500.00 (Includes all Plumbing & Electric Runs)
AREA DRAIN…………………………………….………...........................$16.00 PER LN. FT. ADD 160’ OF 4” AREA DRAINS = $2560.00
DECKING OPTIONS (All Decking includes 3/8” Rebar) TRAVERTINE PAVERS IN AGGREGATE……………………..$24.00 PER/SQ.FT. ADD 180’ OF TRAVERTINE PAVER DECKING = $4320.00
ENGINEERING PROXIMITY LETTER……………….………………………………..$350.00
TOE/TRIM TILE…………………………..…………….…………………..…………..$1000.00 (Includes Tile from the Basic Waterline Tile Selection and Installation)
POOL PLASTER UPGRADE OPTIONS: (INCLUDES 15 YEAR WARRANTY)
WETEDGE PRIMERA STONE COLOR COLLECTION COLOR FINISH TO BE DETERMINED UPGRADE $9,500.00
MCKINNEY CUSTOM POOLS POOL & SPA SCOTT PROJECT
CUSTOM POOL PACKAGE INCLUDES: $44,499.00 (26’9” x 9’)
1. 71 ½’ PERIMETER POOL 6’ MAX DEPTH W/ 1 ¼” EASED EDGE TRAVERTINE COPING & BASIC 6” WATER LINE TILE ($6 per sq ft allowance)
2. 9-11 RETURN LINES (VARIATION IN HEIGHT) & 2 BUBBLERS
3. 1 SKIMMER with 2” SUCTION LINES ON 45* ANGLES
4. 1 ANTI-VORTEX MAIN DRAIN with 2” SUCTION LINES ON 45 ANGLES
5. STEEL DETAIL: 3/8” REBAR 8” O.C., 4” O.C. ON ALL DEPTH TRANSITIONS GREATER THAN 5’ IN DEPTH, 4 - #4, ½” REBAR ON BOND BEAM
6. GUNITE SHELL: 7.1 (SACKS/SAND) RATIO
7. POOL EQUIPMENT PAD, SHOT with GUNITE & STEEL REINFORCEMENT
8. ALL ELECTRICAL RUNS INCLUDED (up to 100’, $10 per additional foot)
9. ELECTRICAL SUB PANEL (if needed is $400 additional), ADD $400.00
10. OUTDOOR LIGHT AT EQUIPMENT PAD (homeowner to provide light bulbs)
11. HAYWARD 2.7 THP TRISTAR 950 VARIABLE SPEED EE PUMP
12. HAYWARD C 4030 CARTRIDGE FILTER
13. THREE HAYWARD UNIVERSAL 320 LED POOL LIGHTS
14. OMNI CONTROL SYSTEM W/ INTERMATIC SURGE PROTECTOR
15. HAYWARD ROBOTIC POOL CLEANER w/ GFCI OUTLET (if needed)
16. SEWER LINE (per city requirements)
17. AUTOFILL / OVERFLOW SYSTEM
18. AQUA RITE SALT SYSTEM- 40,000 gal
19. PLASTER FINISHES; WET EDGE: QUARTZ POLAR WHITE or MARTINIQUE / SIGNATURE MATRIX PEBBLE: SALT & PEPPER, CRYSTAL BLUE or COASTAL BLUE (FREE UPGRADE)
20. START UP KIT INCLUDING: NET, BRUSH, POLE, TEST KIT, HOSE AND VACUUM ATTACHMENT
21. ONE MONTH FREE POOL MAINTENANCE (FREE UPGRADE)
CUSTOM SPA PACKAGE INCLUDES: $15,999.00
1. 6’ x 9’ RECTANGLE SPA w/ 12” BEAM, RAISED 12”, 3 ½’ MAX DEPTH W/ 1 ¼” EASED EDGE TRAVERTINE COPING, SPLITFACE STONE OR 6” BASIC TILE SPA SURROUND AND 6” BASIC WATER LINE TILE ($6 per sq ft allowance)
2. 9’ NEGATIVE EDGE SPILLWAY
3. 8 HAYWARD MASSAGE JETS w/ PULSE-FLO & ADJUSTA-FLO HEADS
4. 1 ANTI-VORTEX MAIN DRAIN with 2 1/2” SUCTION LINES ON 45* ANGLES
5. HAYWARD H-SERIES 500,000 LOW NOX HEATER (60’ gas run included $10 per ft additional)
6. HAYWARD 1.5 HP AIR BLOWER 7. TWO HAYWARD UNIVERSAL 320 LED SPA LIGHTS 8. PLASTER FINISH; SAME PLASTER AS THE POOL ____ ____
12” RAISED BEAM WALL………………………….…………….……..…….$150.00 PER FT. (Includes Splitface Stone Facing / Spray Deck Finish on Back) ADD 13’ WALL = $1950.00
18” RAISED BEAM WALL………………………….…………….……..…….$200.00 PER FT. (Includes Splitface Stone Facing / Spray Deck Finish on Back) ADD 15’ WALL = $3000.00
GREAT AMERICAN WATERFALL SHEERS..………..………….24” $650.00 (3) = $1950.00
HAYWARD HEAT/CHILL PUMP……………………..………………………………$6500.00 (Includes 80’ of Electrical Run)
ADDITIONAL TRISTAR EE PUMPS……..……….…………VARIABLE SPEED $2500.00 (Includes all Plumbing & Electric Runs)
AREA DRAIN…………………………………….………...........................$16.00 PER LN. FT. ADD 160’ OF 4” AREA DRAINS = $2560.00
DECKING OPTIONS (All Decking includes 3/8” Rebar) TRAVERTINE PAVERS IN AGGREGATE……………………..$24.00 PER/SQ.FT. ADD 180’ OF TRAVERTINE PAVER DECKING = $4320.00
ENGINEERING PROXIMITY LETTER……………….………………………………..$350.00
TOE/TRIM TILE…………………………..…………….…………………..…………..$1000.00 (Includes Tile from the Basic Waterline Tile Selection and Installation)
POOL PLASTER UPGRADE OPTIONS: (INCLUDES 15 YEAR WARRANTY)
WETEDGE PRIMERA STONE COLOR COLLECTION COLOR FINISH TO BE DETERMINED UPGRADE $9,500.00
This is one item that should be changed to qty 2 skimmers. You can put diagonally across from each other on the long side (need to determine prevailing wind directions) or put both skimmers on 1 long side and only put returns on the other long side - so you push water from one side to the skimmers.
Even with a pool my size you think i need two skimmers? Talking barely over 5000 gallons.
It is all about risk. With 1 skimmer it becomes the only suction at surface. If that pipe clogs up or has a leak then you are without it.
A second skimmer is fairly low cost insurance to put in at time of construction.
Ensure each is independently run back to the equipment pad and each line should have a Jandy type 2-way valve for control.
Its also about the wind. I have 2 skimmers on the same 20ft wall and you'd be surprised how often one has debris and the other one is empty. Next week, they'll flip.
Put another way....... on a 8000 gallon pool, you have a 2.7hp pump, a honking large filter, 40k SWag, heatpump/chiller, automation, water features, $16k spa, 9 to 11 return lines, 3 lights (etc etc etc) and you're second guessing a second skimmer that costs $185 You should probably add another $100 for its plumbing, but yeah.
For $285 (and not much labor) its another chance to outsmart the wind, and if something happened to one of them, you could abandon it with such a small pool and *then* be a one skimmer pool because it wasn't worth thousands to repair before the next time you tore up the decking.
Put another way....... on a 8000 gallon pool, you have a 2.7hp pump, a honking large filter, 40k SWag, heatpump/chiller, automation, water features, $16k spa, 9 to 11 return lines, 3 lights (etc etc etc) and you're second guessing a second skimmer that costs $185 You should probably add another $100 for its plumbing, but yeah.
For $285 (and not much labor) its another chance to outsmart the wind, and if something happened to one of them, you could abandon it with such a small pool and *then* be a one skimmer pool because it wasn't worth thousands to repair before the next time you tore up the decking.