I like DE filters. They provide the finest size filtration out of sand, cartridge, or DE. They are little more work however. I see you are in VA. I'm not sure what your swim season is going to be, for me in NJ, one charge of DE lasts me the season. I bump my filter whenever pressure indicates it is needed. At the end of the season, I break down the entire filter, clean everything, and store it for the winter. When it comes time to open in the spring, I charge it with DE, and that lasts me through the next season.
Just be aware that an RJ unit is a RETURN JET unit. That means it does not have a flow switch, and therefore needs to be installed just before the return jet in a vertical position. This is so if your pump were to stop and water was to stop flowing, gas would still vent from the generator out of your jet. Do not install an RJ unit in a horizontal run of pipe. On that note, I would consider installing hard pipe instead of hoses.
What light are you looking at? If it is an Aqualuminator model, I would stay away from it.
I have already taken care of the building permit in my County, and I am having an electrician come out for an estimate.
I've got to till up a portion of the site, but no more than a foot deep at the highest side.
I am wide open for help/suggestions/ critical or not, I just want to do the best I can the First time.
Is my list missing anything? Too much? Not enough? What about Salt and Chemicals, and Cleaners, and Pool Robots that clean the bottom? Lots of stuff huh? I really appreciate your insight and opinions.
I've read that a SWG should be I guess big enough to run 2 times the volume of the Pool?
I must admit, it seems like a lot of stuff. All I want is quality equipment at a reasonable price for a 12'x21'x54" above ground pool.i
I am seeking advice; I may not go with a heater due to the price. I still have to pay for an electrician
If any of these items above seem to be over kill or not, please feel free to give me your thoughts, also I'm going to need helpful ideas on how to add Salt, Chemicals, etc. Wow! Maybe a membership is in order
Thank you all!!
Heaters are nice, especially in the colder areas - they help to extend the seasons when the nights get cooler but the days are still warm I don't have one, but then I would need a big one for my pool, likely propane. I use a solar cover and it does make a difference.
Read the info in pool school to find out what you need. In a nutshell you will need chlorine. It has to be free of any additives. Bleach used to be great, but now it all seems to have various things in it (fragrances, thickners/anti splash, chloromax stuff, etc). You can get pool chlorine or liquid shock at a pool store or many big box stores. You will need CYA. CYA stops the sun from burning off all of your chlorine in a matter of minutes. It may be called CYA, or cyanuric acid, or stabilizer. It comes in liquid or granular forms. Liquid is if you have a lot of cash you need to get rid of. You will need acid to adjust pH down, muriatic acid is the preferred choice. Dry acid adds other things to your water. Baking soda will raise pH if that is what you need to do.
If you are installing a SWGC then you will need salt, but that can wait until you get the pool under control with bleach. You will want to use bleach to get your pools chlorine up before you start relying on the SWGC.
You will need a pole that can reach the middle of your pool, a vacuum hose, a vacuum, a skimmer, and maybe a leaf rake (you can use a leaf rake as a skimmer, and maybe a skimmer as a leaf rake, depending on how many leaves reach the bottom of your pool). Robots are nice, but not necessary. I have one, and it does save me time.
One thing you do want is a good test kit, TF Test Kits is a site sponsor and also has great prices as well.
