Mesa Arizona New Build! Help

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CombatVet13

CombatVet13

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Apr 27, 2019
64
Mesa Arizona
Hello,

I am very green when it cones to pool knowledge and terminology. We are just beginning to meet with builders. I have been reading quite a bit on this site since joining last week. Seems like the general consensus is Robot over In Floor as far as cleaning goes, yet every builder immediately seems almost offended when I am suggesting I may not want in floor cleaning.

The build we are looking to do is a simple 30’ x 16’ rectangle concrete pool with a baja shelf. 4-6ft deep.

Regarding the kind of pool we plan to build what type of equipment would be best?

I am a disabled combat veteran and this is a major investment for us, I need the pool for physical therapy etc. I would like to to make the best decision and get the best bang for my buck. I truly appreciate any and all advice. Thank you
 
13,

If you really think that pool builders install IFCS because they really are trying to be your friend, you are mistaken. They sell what makes them the most money or commissions.

If you have a disability that makes it hard, or impossible, for you to reach down and pull a robot out of the pool, then maybe an IFCS is for you. Otherwise a robot will out perform any water powered system, hands down.

My main complaint about IFCS is that they make the plumbing very complex for the average everyday pool owner. Probably is not much of an issue when the pool is new, or you are the first owner, but as the pool gets older and the house is sold once or twice, it becomes very hard to troubleshoot simple problems. If I were to get an IFCS, I would want it to be on completely separate plumbing. This way, later in life, you could just shut off the valve going to the IFCS and continue to use the rest of the pool plumbing. Unfortunately, most IFCS are build right into the normal pool plumbing, making it impossible to shut off.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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How bad is the blown-in dust? If you get a lot, a DE filter will be loading up all the time and cleaning it will quickly get old. Backflushing it or a sand filter will use a bunch of water, which might be a problem where you live. Or maybe not.... if the Calcium builds up, you might appreciate some periodic water replacement. All in all, sand is the least work to backwash/clean. You can do it one-handed, don't even need to set down your beer. It doesn't filter as well as the other types, but it filters plenty good. Any style filter will work, it's just your preference.

If you're going rectangle, what about a power cover? You'd end up with a really warm pool, but chemical usage and blown-in debris would be way lower.

If I have to redo any of my plumbing, I'll install a SWG. It's just that at the moment, I have no leaks and everything works, so I don't want to disturb it now. You're starting with a clean slate, so put one in. You don't want an inline puck chlorinator because the CYA will build up, and hauling jugs of chlorine also gets old.

Say no to the ozonator. No to the UV. No to the mineral pack. No to the infloor cleaning.
Say yes to a variable speed pump. Yes to solar, or at least arrange the plumbing so it can be added later without a big hassle if you need it. Yes to a saltwater chlorine generator -- and go BIG. Get one rated 2 or 3 times the size of your pool and run it much less time.

If you've been using the search box, you've probably stumbled across this in one of my replies, because it is a major pet peeve of mine: put a skimmer at the extreme downwind end of the pool even if it means a fifty foot pipe run. Otherwise leaves and bugs and whatever will float right on by during a breeze , to collect at the downwind end, get saturated, and sink, so you can vacuum them up.
 
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Richard320 said:
How bad is the blown-in dust? If you get a lot, a DE filter will be loading up all the time and cleaning it will quickly get old. Backflushing it or a sand filter will use a bunch of water, which might be a problem where you live. Or maybe not.... if the Calcium builds up, you might appreciate some periodic water replacement. All in all, sand is the least work to backwash/clean. You can do it one-handed, don't even need to set down your beer. It doesn't filter as well as the other types, but it filters plenty good. Any style filter will work, it's just your preference.

If you're going rectangle, what about a power cover? You'd end up with a really warm pool, but chemical usage and blown-in debris would be way lower.

If I have to redo any of my plumbing, I'll install a SWG. It's just that at the moment, I have no leaks and everything works, so I don't want to disturb it now. You're starting with a clean slate, so put one in. You don't want an inline puck chlorinator because the CYA will build up, and hauling jugs of chlorine also gets old.

Say no to the ozonator. No to the UV. No to the mineral pack. No to the infloor cleaning.
Say yes to a variable speed pump. Yes to solar, or at least arrange the plumbing so it can be added later without a big hassle if you need it. Yes to a saltwater chlorine generator -- and go BIG. Get one rated 2 or 3 times the size of your pool and run it much less time.

If you've been using the search box, you've probably stumbled across this in one of my replies, because it is a major pet peeve of mine: put a skimmer at the extreme downwind end of the pool even if it means a fifty foot pipe run. Otherwise leaves and bugs and whatever will float right on by during a breeze , to collect at the downwind end, get saturated, and sink, so you can vacuum them up.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for your detailed response greatly appreciated!
 
For the kind of dirt you get in the desert, in-floor is the way to go. I’m at my house in Mesa an average of six weeks per year and the pool is ALWAYS sparkling clear. I have service once per week and it’s a salt pool with a chlorine generator cell, variable speed pump, and a cartridge filter. I wouldn’t change a thing. I would hate to hav to haul a robot in and out and have that ugly hose cluttering up my pool deck. YMMV.
 
CombatVet13 said:
yet every builder immediately seems almost offended when I am suggesting I may not want in floor cleaning.
Click to expand...

Because you’ll be removing a few payments from their pocket on the new UTV they just bought. ;)

I for one would never buy/get a pool with an IFCS, to me, those are holes in the shell waiting to leak.
Robot, and a suction side port for when you go away on vacation, and over the winter time. (You don’t use a robot in the colder water during the winter)
Cartridge filter, VS pump, and a SWCG if you’re so inclined. :cheers:
 
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In-floor works great here for me in AZ....haven't touched a net yet and a simple brush every so often and my pools as clean as a whistle. I've even accidentally kicked landscape rocks in the pool and had a sponge fall apart and sink to the bottom and it all end up in the basket within a cleaning cycle.
 
Jimrahbe said:
13,

If you really think that pool builders install IFCS because they really are trying to be your friend, you are mistaken. They sell what makes them the most money or commissions.

If you have a disability that makes it hard, or impossible, for you to reach down and pull a robot out of the pool, then maybe an IFCS is for you. Otherwise a robot will out perform any water powered system, hands down.

My main complaint about IFCS is that they make the plumbing very complex for the average everyday pool owner. Probably is not much of an issue when the pool is new, or you are the first owner, but as the pool gets older and the house is sold once or twice, it becomes very hard to troubleshoot simple problems. If I were to get an IFCS, I would want it to be on completely separate plumbing. This way, later in life, you could just shut off the valve going to the IFCS and continue to use the rest of the pool plumbing. Unfortunately, most IFCS are build right into the normal pool plumbing, making it impossible to shut off.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Mine shuts off........ I have it set to shut the valve and have it skimmer and returns only to run at night. I guess it depends on what builder installs maybe.
 
CombatVet13 said:
Hello,

I am very green when it cones to pool knowledge and terminology. We are just beginning to meet with builders. I have been reading quite a bit on this site since joining last week. Seems like the general consensus is Robot over In Floor as far as cleaning goes, yet every builder immediately seems almost offended when I am suggesting I may not want in floor cleaning.

The build we are looking to do is a simple 30’ x 16’ rectangle concrete pool with a baja shelf. 4-6ft deep.

Regarding the kind of pool we plan to build what type of equipment would be best?

I am a disabled combat veteran and this is a major investment for us, I need the pool for physical therapy etc. I would like to to make the best decision and get the best bang for my buck. I truly appreciate any and all advice. Thank you
Click to expand...

God bless and thank you for your service in combat.

I’m also in Phoenix and put in a 14x28 rectangle (4-6’)with Baja step about 2 years ago. I declined virtually all extras (Standard plaster, SWG, vacuum hose outlet instead of in-floor, no heater, no water features except aerator jets). With concrete decking, my pool was pretty “reasonable” even though I used one of the more well known builders in the valley that is a bit on the high side.

My only regrets are (in order) not adding a heat pump (didn’t think I would use/need it) and not adding a SWG (not a huge deal to me but would be nice).

I second the consideration of a sand filter. Life is easy when my pool by in large just adds sand and dirt to my sand filter. I’ll occasionally backwash every couple months, which also helps churn the old calcified pool water. You just need a hose to pump to your sewer clean out or disposal location of choice.

As I mentioned, I have a vacuum port and use a Baracuda G3. People here look down on suction cleaners a bit, but I don’t touch it or have to take it in/out of the water like a robot. The G3 works well on sand/dirt because of the large cleaning disc, and only has 1 moving part to replace.

Hope this helps a bit.
 
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Depending on your disability you may want to think about a handrail to help you get in and out of the pool. They can be removed if you want or need to for a cover and such.

Keep asking questions. Post up any quote you get making sure to have model numbers when you are talking to them. VERY important to make sure you get what you paid for.

Make sure to have a light by the equipment pad. You will thank me when you have to go out there one dark and stormy night!

Kim:kim:
 
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CombatVet13 said:
Hello,

I am very green when it cones to pool knowledge and terminology. We are just beginning to meet with builders. I have been reading quite a bit on this site since joining last week. Seems like the general consensus is Robot over In Floor as far as cleaning goes, yet every builder immediately seems almost offended when I am suggesting I may not want in floor cleaning.

The build we are looking to do is a simple 30’ x 16’ rectangle concrete pool with a baja shelf. 4-6ft deep.

Regarding the kind of pool we plan to build what type of equipment would be best?

I am a disabled combat veteran and this is a major investment for us, I need the pool for physical therapy etc. I would like to to make the best decision and get the best bang for my buck. I truly appreciate any and all advice. Thank you
Click to expand...

How are your meetings going? Any builders you recommend? We are in Phoenix just beginning to plan our build.
 
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