How to pick pool equipment? Having a hard time deciphering all the mech and tech.

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samsoccer7

Well-known member
Aug 2, 2022
71
Chicago, IL
Pool Size
30000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hello, embarking on a new home build with a new pool as well. Looking at a gunite 20'x40' sport-type depth (3.5-5 ft max) with auto-cover and SWG, bids with an in-pool spa are north of $150k. Have received bids from several PBs but having a hard time deciding what type of equipment I want. Most have Pentair but they seem to be mid-spec compared to what I see on the respective sites. Is there a typical go-to for high end equipment (automation, VSP, heater, pump, IC40 SWG, etc.)? I read the wiki from here as well but I'm finding myself more confused than ever. And at this price point it seems another $1-2-3k is worth it to me if there's a discernable difference.

In many ways I'm hoping someone just says "get this equipment package and you'll be happy." I just have a hard time trusting what the PBs say about equipment packages. Thank you!

I'm in the western suburbs of Chicago fwiw.
 
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You need a pump, filter, SWCG and a heater as basic components. You could also add lights and water features. Top tier pool equipment makers are Jandy, Pentair, Hayward. I would stick with Jandy or Pentair. It helps to have all of your equipment match makers. Especially with thinks like variable speed pumps and saltwater chlorine generators. Get as large a filter, SWG and heater as they make. I suggest cartridge over sand/DE. For sure you want automation. Jandy has Aqualink.
 
PoolGate said:
You need a pump, filter, SWCG and a heater as basic components. You could also add lights and water features. Top tier pool equipment makers are Jandy, Pentair, Hayward. I would stick with Jandy or Pentair. It helps to have all of your equipment match makers. Especially with thinks like variable speed pumps and saltwater chlorine generators. Get as large a filter, SWG and heater as they make. I suggest cartridge over sand/DE. For sure you want automation. Jandy has Aqualink.
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Thank you. For a "large" heater you're referring to BTUs? I see 150k-400k basically so go with the highest?

I will look at the largest cartridge filters out there.
 
PoolGate said:
You need a pump, filter, SWCG and a heater as basic components. You could also add lights and water features. Top tier pool equipment makers are Jandy, Pentair, Hayward. I would stick with Jandy or Pentair. It helps to have all of your equipment match makers. Especially with thinks like variable speed pumps and saltwater chlorine generators. Get as large a filter, SWG and heater as they make. I suggest cartridge over sand/DE. For sure you want automation. Jandy has Aqualink.
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Is one of the automation systems better than another? If Jandy is much better I would push for all Jandy equipment, or Pentair if that's better. Is there much consensus?
 
samsoccer7 said:
Is one of the automation systems better than another? If Jandy is much better I would push for all Jandy equipment, or Pentair if that's better. Is there much consensus?
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Consensus? ROFL! No - it is like Ford vs Chevy. I will not recommend one over the other as I have no experience with anything but Jandy. They are both tier one.
 
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It seems members here speak pretty highly of Pentair. But Jandy and Hayward get decent reviews also.

It seems pool automation is still stuck in the last century. It's kind of a niche market and no one has really stepped up to 2020 - yet.

The Pentair Intellicenter with all Pentair equipment is good.
A Pentair CCP420 or CCP520 cartridge filter would fit your needs.
For a SWG - be sure to size it for at least 2 times the pool volume.

As @PoolGate said - it's a Ford vs Chevy kind of thing.
 
99% of pool users are lifers of whatever brand the PB supplies. :ROFLMAO:

*and nobody is wrong. All of the big 3 have millions of working pools out there.

That said, I am specifically not a fan of Jandy as you are locked into pool stores / builders with them. You have to use an authorized dealer for all future parts and many won't sell you the parts unless they install them. Why does that matter ? A replacement SWG is $1k(?) when the time comes and a 5 min plug and play swap. If you have to go through the PB, it could be $2500. If you are a totally hands off person then you'll be paying someone either way. If you're the least bit handy, I'd go Hayward or Pemtair.
 
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PoolGate said:
You need a pump, filter, SWCG and a heater as basic components. You could also add lights and water features. Top tier pool equipment makers are Jandy, Pentair, Hayward. I would stick with Jandy or Pentair. It helps to have all of your equipment match makers. Especially with thinks like variable speed pumps and saltwater chlorine generators. Get as large a filter, SWG and heater as they make. I suggest cartridge over sand/DE. For sure you want automation. Jandy has Aqualink.
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What pumps are people going with when getting Pentair equipment? This is the last part of the equipment puzzle for me, right now at least :)
 

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Newdude said:
99% of pool users are lifers of whatever brand the PB supplies. :ROFLMAO:

*and nobody is wrong. All of the big 3 have millions of working pools out there.

That said, I am specifically not a fan of Jandy as you are locked into pool stores / builders with them. You have to use an authorized dealer for all future parts and many won't sell you the parts unless they install them. Why does that matter ? A replacement SWG is $1k(?) when the time comes and a 5 min plug and play swap. If you have to go through the PB, it could be $2500. If you are a totally hands off person then you'll be paying someone either way. If you're the least bit handy, I'd go Hayward or Pemtair.
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Well - the SWG cell is user-replaceable with Jandy. All consumables are. It is just the main equipment that they no longer sell direct to the public.
 
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