AZ pool build

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D

desertbeekeeper

Member
May 2, 2023
21
Arizona
So going through engineering now for the design. Main reason for pool is rehab due to disability. Design is pool only, no spa.
Wanted to get thoughts and opinions.
Pool Size: 15' x 25'
Depth: 4' - 5'
Baja: 8.5'x5', 9.5" depth
Feature: 3' sheer descent

Pool Equipment:
Pump: Pentair VSP 3hp Intelliflo3
Filter: Pentair Cartridge 520
Heater: 220k NG 230V Ultratemp ETI Hybrid Heater
No SWG
Automation: Intellicenter I5P
Lights: Microbrite LEDs (4)
2 Skimmers
AutoFill
Channel Drain (but thinking about eliminating)
No infloor cleaning
No suction side cleaner (figured I could always use a skimmer, but going to go with a robot cleaner)

Deck & Coping - Brushed concrete
Waterline Tile: Still undecided but thinking about stacked stone porcelain tile
Finish: Quartz finish, don't want the rough finish of the pebble

Will be putting a lift in the corner by the baja step, but finding crazy high pricing on ADA lift, didn't know if there are any other ideas? Thought about a ramp, but the pool/yard is on the small size for that

First step 1.5 under water line, 9.5" baja step, 3rd step and regular benches 17.5" under water, 4th step 25.5 and 5th at 33.5 (need it to be easily accessible)

Have most of the vendors lined up, just need permit and then will be starting to dig
 

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Looks great, though i would prefer to see a salt water chlorination system (you'll want one later if you don't now, I promise).
I would also keep the drain in the floor.
Do you have hard water there? Do you use a house water softener??

Maddie :flower:
 
YippeeSkippy said:
Looks great, though i would prefer to see a salt water chlorination system (you'll want one later if you don't now, I promise).
I would also keep the drain in the floor.
Do you have hard water there? Do you use a house water softener??

Maddie :flower:
Click to expand...
Good points and thank you for the input.
SWCS we thought about it, spouse has some unusual health conditions, and while we can deal with the chlorine having the additional salt in the water was an unknown that we didn't want to address right now. I had heard that Potassium Chloride could be used in lieu of the Sodium Chloride, but seemed like there was so little information out there that I was unsure. We thought about having it added to the intelicenter in the event we go that direction in the future, and then waiting to install the SWCS until later
On the drain in the floor, was planning on it, then in some researching/reading found out that I would only be able to drain the pool about halfway before the pump started pulling air into the system. So if this is the case, and I am not going with IFCS then what is the benefit for the main drain?
Yes, on the hard water, and we have a soft-water spigot that will be tapped into for the auto fill. Having regular hard water is not back by the pool fill, but didn't think this would be an issue.
 
DBK,

Not including a SWCG is a huge mistake, in my opinion. I suggest that you get the iP5 that comes with the saltwater system.

We have a ton of people here from Arizona and they all love their Saltwater pools.

A SWCG makes taking care of a pool as easy as it can get. The water even feels better.

Tell us why you have decided not to upgrade to a Saltwater pool???

Other than that, it looks pretty good to me,

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
DBK,

Keep in mind that a saltwater pool is not like the ocean. Most people can't even tell there is salt in the water. It is about the same level as what is in your tears.. About 3500 ppm, while the ocean is 35,000 ppm.

I would get the built in Salt system and just not turn it on a first.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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desertbeekeeper said:
SWCS we thought about it, spouse has some unusual health conditions, and while we can deal with the chlorine having the additional salt in the water was an unknown that we didn't want to address right now
Click to expand...
+1 for SWG. The best time to address a SWG is right now, during the planning stage. As others are pointing out, transporting 1 gallon jugs of chlorine would get old fast. Using tablets for your chlorine is not sustainable. I had a pool in SoCal for 20 years before moving to Las Vegas, and I lugged jugs of chlorine. When we built our pool here in Las Vegas the first thing spec'd was a SWG. You won't look back.
 
desertbeekeeper said:
SWCS we thought about it, spouse has some unusual health conditions, and while we can deal with the chlorine having the additional salt in the water was an unknown that we didn't want to address right now.
Click to expand...
There is no good reason to use potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride for a pool and it's generally more expensive. The only reason to use potassium chloride or sodium chloride is if you have a SWCG (Salt water chlorine generator). It is the chloride that is used by a saltwater chlorine generator and you aren't drinking the pool water so potassium vs. sodium doesn't matter.

It takes 1.276 times the amount of potassium chloride by weight compared to sodium chloride for the same quantity of ions in the water, but from a conductivity point of view it's roughly equal weight for potassium and sodium chloride.

A chlorine pool is a saltwater pool. After a new fill and 2 years of using liquid chlorine, my salt water level was 2000ppm (chlorine adds salt). I now have an SWCG and my salt level is 3000ppm. You will have salt in the pool whether you use chlorine, or use a SWCG.
 
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Engineering is done, and now in for permit with the city. One question came up from the excavator, what is the height of the pool. The guys who did the drawings said the excavator will look at the drawings and calculate it, but seems like they are pointing at each other to figure.
We have existing concrete patio that the new patio will need to be level with, want to make sure we get this right. Any thoughts? Would it be best to upload the drawings here?
 

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PolyTec shows $800 more for the iP5 with IC40. A standalone IC40 with power center is $1450.
 

Pentair IntelliCenter 5PIC40 Kit - Pool only with Load Center and IC40​


Pentair IntelliCenter 5PIC60 Kit - Pool only with Load Center and IC60​


The above are examples of the 'Pool only" models - no integrated spa.
The power for the SWG is built into the Intellicenter with these models.

How many gallons is the pool? We recommend a SWG at least 2x the pool volume.
In Arizona, you would be better served with an IC60 as it would need less overall runtime to produce the same amount of chlorine as an IC40. It would last longer than an IC40 if the water is kept properly balanced to TFP standards. For the minimal up-charge for the IC60 over the IC40, it's well worth it.

A chlorine pool is a salt pool and a salt pool is a chlorine pool. Adding chlorine and muriatic acid will increase the salt level over time. Your fill water probably has a little salt in it too.
Many people find a salt pool - at SWG levels - makes the pool water feel silkier. Some have mentioned it helps their skin issues as well.

Does your house happen to have a water softener? If so, have it plumbed to the pool autofill line. This will help limit the CH increases that occur do to evaporation. The calcium in hard water doesn't leave the pool except for splash out and draining. With our high evaporation rates in AZ, you will evaporate at least the total pool volume each year - at a minimum.
 
proavia said:

Pentair IntelliCenter 5PIC40 Kit - Pool only with Load Center and IC40​


Pentair IntelliCenter 5PIC60 Kit - Pool only with Load Center and IC60​


The above are examples of the 'Pool only" models - no integrated spa.
The power for the SWG is built into the Intellicenter with these models.

How many gallons is the pool? We recommend a SWG at least 2x the pool volume.
In Arizona, you would be better served with an IC60 as it would need less overall runtime to produce the same amount of chlorine as an IC40. It would last longer than an IC40 if the water is kept properly balanced to TFP standards. For the minimal up-charge for the IC60 over the IC40, it's well worth it.

A chlorine pool is a salt pool and a salt pool is a chlorine pool. Adding chlorine and muriatic acid will increase the salt level over time. Your fill water probably has a little salt in it too.
Many people find a salt pool - at SWG levels - makes the pool water feel silkier. Some have mentioned it helps their skin issues as well.

Does your house happen to have a water softener? If so, have it plumbed to the pool autofill line. This will help limit the CH increases that occur do to evaporation. The calcium in hard water doesn't leave the pool except for splash out and draining. With our high evaporation rates in AZ, you will evaporate at least the total pool volume each year - at a minimum.
Click to expand...
It is a 10,000 gallon pool, and they provided a quote for the top pool only option you listed.
Yes, I have soft water that will be plumbed into the auto fill
 
The IC40 should work fine.
The rated 40k size is based on running it 24 hours per day.

Great - second best thing I did for my pool was plumb the softener to the autofill --- first was adding a SWG.
 
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Got started this week, excavator was great to work with, next up is plumbing.
One quick question on plumbing, they are installing the gas line first, calling for inspection then doing the rest of the plumbing. I was surprised by this, my friend built a pool the same way a couple months ago, they did the gas line at the very end.
Didn't know if the plumber is having a little issue scheduling and is buying himself some time or? Any thoughts?
 

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I can’t speak to the permitting in AZ, here in Las Vegas, my gas line inspection was scheduled and performed before the trench could be backfilled. From the equipment pad all the way around my house to the gas meter. Capped at both ends with a gauge at the gas meter and air pressure added to 40 psi, if I recall.

The electricians used that same trench, since both utilities are at the same location.
 

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