New Atlanta Construction, suggestions on selections & equipment?

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Prlnce78

Member
Jul 25, 2022
5
Atlanta, GA
Pool Size
24624
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Jandy Aquapure 1400
Hey all,

I just discovered this forum today while trying to figure out what selections my wife and I should pick for pool plaster, tile, coping, etc. We're getting shotcrete tomorrow after nearly two months of waiting around so we need to move ahead and make a decision on finishes. I should have done my research ahead of time while waiting but honestly didn't think to check for an online forum. Wanted to see if anyone could provide their opinion/experience based on the list we've been provided from the pool builder.

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So our pool deck pavers were changed to the Belgard Origins 18 line since the original selection has been discontinued. We're going to change the coping from the crab orchard irregular flagstone to something more symmetrical and in line with the style and colors of the pavers. My question comes down to the plaster and tile. Pool will be used by the family with two young ones. I have nothing to compare regular vs mini plaster. But I ideally would want something that's easy on the young ones little feet while using the pool. And comfortable for us adults as well. On color my wife would like a deep/dark blue color if possible so researching how to get that.

For the tiles, I guess we need to see samples to make sure look good with the rest of the build. Believe we're being sent to a local dealer to review those so not as urgent.

Final question I had was on pool equipment included in the build. I have an exhaustive list for the system selected by the builder but not sure if there are any red flags I should be aware of here. Equipment has not been installed yet so anyone able to review the list for anything I should be concerned with?

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Thank you in advance for any help and guidance!
 
The one thing that jumps out at me is the salt cell...it appears that is saying it is good for use in pools up to 20k...you're pool according to the PB is going to be 24k (I come up with 28k, but either way) so that's too small...you'll want something that's at least 2x your pool volume.

Edit: That salt cell appears to be good up to 40k pools so not sure why it says 20k in the description...if there's a larger size one, I'd still go larger.
 
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Thanks for the feedback @TampaKathy. Yeah, my head is spinning trying to understand all of this pool equipment. Looking at the Jandy site, the AquaPure system only comes in two sizes and the pool builder has the larger one selected. There is no mention of cell size in their brochure either.

Screen Shot 2022-07-25 at 10.26.49 PM.png

Should I second guess their selection and ask if they provide alternatives to a salt water system?
 
Hi all,

So the more I read up on pool finishes and equipment the more questions I come up with. We've opted to go with the StoneScapes mini plaster based on feedback I read on this forum and we've selected a color that works for us.

Regarding the salt chlorinator, the Jandy unit recommended is the largest the company makes rated up to 40k gallons. So the PLC1400 is our go to unless we opt to go with another vendor brand over Jandy. With that said, I'm now debating between Jandy, Hayward and Pentair as the major brand to sit on my pool pad. I've read about the warranty information and how they differ between the main three on here. I understand the differences and since the builder is doing the initial install it seems I can't really go wrong with any choice. Down the line, I may just have to pay more using an authorized dealer to work on my Jandy gear over anything I can do myself to maintain warranty.

One item between the three I couldn't really get too much detail on is how the upper tier automation systems differ. All three make good automation systems that can control the gear well, especially if the gear is the same manufacturer. My setup seems pretty simple with the automation I'm getting out of box to control (pool lights, the VS pump, the heater, the SWG chlorinator and bubbler). What else could I possibly look at automating with the AquaLink RS-P6? We're thinking of installing landscape lights after build so that will be nice to control. But are there more advanced automation items I should consider while we're still in the build phase? I was considering an automated pool cover but feel it may be too costly. Would love to hear opinions on what else is possible.

Final question. It seems for what I can do now, the AquaLink RS should be fine. I couldn't find any documented limitations on the RS system or any of the other automation systems. Is there some glaring limitation I should consider that doesn't exist with the IntelliCenter or OmniLogic systems that would make me lean towards one over the other for the full pad equipment? I would need to make that decision now before my pool builder orders the Jandy equipment if there something compelling. Would love insight from the community.
 
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PB will normally have a preferred brand, like Jandy in this case, since they work with the manufacturer for better pricing.

I think the consensus on this forum is that the best manufacturer is Pentair, Hayward, Jandy in that order.

Of course it is subjective, but Jandy hasn't been updating their product line as much as the other two.
 
We spent a lot of time looking at StoneScapes as it was the preferred product of one of the two final builders we had come down to choosing.

For plaster, whatever color you choose, be there the day they do it! Check the bags, make sure it is the right mix for the right color! Don't let them put on a color you didn't choose! I have seen a lot of chatter on various FB groups and forums about plaster being the wrong color or brand when it goes on and then having to keep it or drain their pool and do it all over again.

For colors; there are color threads on this Forum. Also if you google search the various colors you can usually find pictures, a lot of builders will put plaster color on their pool pictures. Also there are Facebook groups that will have pictures. Generally people can get it down to 2 or 3 colors just based on if they want dark or light plaster and if they want any green in the water.

Once you have the final 2 to 3 colors search for all the images and ask the pool builder if you can see any pools they did with those colors.

Mini was they way we would have gone with StoneScapes as well. I think we had it down to needing to see Caribbean Blue vs Tahoe Blue in person.

Tropics Blue is a very popular one with StoneScapes as well, and it may have been a dark horse for us.

We went with a different builder though, and our plaster is a (hopefully) week or two out. Good Luck!
 
Appreciate the feedback @guinness. After speaking with the PB, it seems we're locked into Jandy at this stage in the game. It's the sole vendor they work with. The only difference as I see it is the top three brands automation systems differ slightly. Can't really find anything outside of "no over the air firmware updates" with Jandy though. Otherwise, I can only assume they all do the same thing. It seems Alexa integration is available for all three out the box and I'm sure there's a way to integrate with Home Assistant as well. Doesn't sound like I have much of a choice to change now anyway since the build is almost complete.

Thank you for the info @Rebuke. We went down that same path for the plaster selection. Our choice was originally the Tropics Blue Mini but the additional premium on top wasn't worth it for us. Our contract included an option for 8 of the 12 plasters to choose from within StoneScapes Regular or Mini. Pretty much all of the colors except for the darkest blues and darkest greens in the series. Wife and I debated between Tahoe Blue and Aqua Blue as the darkest included option. We went with Aqua Blue Mini as we didn't want any hint of green in the pool. Never seen a plaster process before. Will they have bags that state StoneScapes Aqua Blue on them or should I be looking for something else when the materials arrive?
 
They even added a Taylor 2006 test kit :) I am in North Atlanta and glad your also getting a heater also.
I don't use mine a lot ( now that natural gas is going way up ) but did use it over the summer. It was in the 90's but wife said the 80 degree water was too cold so I set it to 90 and let it run a month :)
 
Prlnce78 said:
...

Thank you for the info @Rebuke. We went down that same path for the plaster selection. Our choice was originally the Tropics Blue Mini but the additional premium on top wasn't worth it for us. Our contract included an option for 8 of the 12 plasters to choose from within StoneScapes Regular or Mini. Pretty much all of the colors except for the darkest blues and darkest greens in the series. Wife and I debated between Tahoe Blue and Aqua Blue as the darkest included option. We went with Aqua Blue Mini as we didn't want any hint of green in the pool. Never seen a plaster process before. Will they have bags that state StoneScapes Aqua Blue on them or should I be looking for something else when the materials arrive?
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I think this may have it, but yeah, my understanding for stonescapes was they have bags and mix, so if you talk to the plaster guys sometime you can customize by taking out a bag here and adding a bag there.

Others here might know more, also if you can get in touch with your plaster guys they will know more.
 

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Prlnce78 said:
Appreciate the feedback @guinness. After speaking with the PB, it seems we're locked into Jandy at this stage in the game. It's the sole vendor they work with. The only difference as I see it is the top three brands automation systems differ slightly. Can't really find anything outside of "no over the air firmware updates" with Jandy though. Otherwise, I can only assume they all do the same thing. It seems Alexa integration is available for all three out the box and I'm sure there's a way to integrate with Home Assistant as well. Doesn't sound like I have much of a choice to change now anyway since the build is almost complete.

Thank you for the info @Rebuke. We went down that same path for the plaster selection. Our choice was originally the Tropics Blue Mini but the additional premium on top wasn't worth it for us. Our contract included an option for 8 of the 12 plasters to choose from within StoneScapes Regular or Mini. Pretty much all of the colors except for the darkest blues and darkest greens in the series. Wife and I debated between Tahoe Blue and Aqua Blue as the darkest included option. We went with Aqua Blue Mini as we didn't want any hint of green in the pool. Never seen a plaster process before. Will they have bags that state StoneScapes Aqua Blue on them or should I be looking for something else when the materials arrive?
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Jandy did add OTA firmware with iAqualink 3.0, which you should get unless your builder is sitting on excess 2.0 inventory. I just finished my build last month, and I know my RS-8 with the 3.0 interface updated and rebooted as soon as I connected it to the internet. I've heard that in the past, Jandy was a little slow to update interfaces (pushed the PDA version forever), which I think gave them a bad rap. However, they've always made well built products. To this day, most won't dispute that their valves are the best in the business. the new Jandy stuff is well laid out and very intuitive. As far as functionality, I don't think there is anything that Pentair or Hayward offer that Jandy does not. Jandy will also up your warranty to 3 years, assuming your PB is a certified installer. I can also confirm the the Aquapure PLC1400 is the SWG that you want. I have a 27K gallon pool, and mine has no trouble keeping up at 40%, and I'm running 16 hours a day.

I also note you originally had the Belgard Lafitt in Rustic Slab. Our PB originally thought we'd have to switch to Origins as well, but there is plenty of the Lafitt Rustic Slab still in stock locally in the Atlanta market. Depending on your build schedule, you may still end up with Lafitt. That's what happened to us, and we love the color and the feel. They're also very comfortable when walking on them barefoot. They get warm, but not hot, even in direct sunlight.
 
darkrider said:
Jandy did add OTA firmware with iAqualink 3.0, which you should get unless your builder is sitting on excess 2.0 inventory. I just finished my build last month, and I know my RS-8 with the 3.0 interface updated and rebooted as soon as I connected it to the internet. I've heard that in the past, Jandy was a little slow to update interfaces (pushed the PDA version forever), which I think gave them a bad rap. However, they've always made well built products. To this day, most won't dispute that their valves are the best in the business. the new Jandy stuff is well laid out and very intuitive. As far as functionality, I don't think there is anything that Pentair or Hayward offer that Jandy does not. Jandy will also up your warranty to 3 years, assuming your PB is a certified installer. I can also confirm the the Aquapure PLC1400 is the SWG that you want. I have a 27K gallon pool, and mine has no trouble keeping up at 40%, and I'm running 16 hours a day.

I also note you originally had the Belgard Lafitt in Rustic Slab. Our PB originally thought we'd have to switch to Origins as well, but there is plenty of the Lafitt Rustic Slab still in stock locally in the Atlanta market. Depending on your build schedule, you may still end up with Lafitt. That's what happened to us, and we love the color and the feel. They're also very comfortable when walking on them barefoot. They get warm, but not hot, even in direct sunlight.
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Thanks @darkrider. PB did update me that he is going with the 3.0 system and the RS-P6. They said 3.0 wasn't out yet when we signed the contract early last year but it's their standard now. I think if Jandy/Zodiac had released the user manual for the iAquaLink 3.0 it would have answered a lot of my questions and concerns, but unfortunately it's nowhere to be found. On their site I can only find the 2.0 manual which is very very dated. Do you have links to documentation stating OTA is supported for the newer system?
 
No links, but I saved the hard manuals for all of my equipment. I'll see if I can find you something. If you have any specific questions, let me know. I've got 3 pumps (Waterfall, Bubblers, and Circulation), pool lights and landscape lights all connected to mine. That leaves 3 extra slots for future expansion on my RS8. If you're only using a single VSP circulation pump, the RS6 should give you everything you need and leave room for future expansion.
 
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