Hello all, new to the forum . Have browsed the forums before for information as I am new to pools after buying my home last year with a pool. The pool is an 18x36 caretaker 99 in-ground vinyl with vinyl over the stairs. Hayward heater, and pentair SWG and pentair cartridge filter I believe. I have 3 in floor pop up jets and 2 on the side wall by the stairs. Also have a 3 or 4 (I forget) light fiber optic system which I plan to upgrade to LED myself in the near future (recommendations?).
My main question would be regarding the Caretaker system. Seems the general consensus is, its junk. I haven't had many issues with it in this first year, and the pool is about 16 years old. Only issue I've had is keeping the tiny screen clean inside the jandy valve, its kind of a pain to constantly disassemble the union on top and clean that little screen. I have recently come across the Blue Square q360 system and was wondering if its worth the upgrade. The cost does not seem too high and i was planning on replacing the in floor jets anyway, as they pop up, but don't spin currently. I have a deposit down on a new liner install which should be started shortly. They asked if i wanted to get rid of the system before the liner install. The reason i was straying away from doing that, is i just don't feel that when I have the caretaker system "off" or valve closed, I don't feel the pool gets very much circulation as I think the only returns then come from the 2 on the wall by the stairs. It makes the shallow end warm when the heat is on, but the deep end is ice cold. There are 2 large circle covers on the deep end floor, I know one is the drain, not sure if both are drains? Any help or opinions on keeping the system, and regarding the upgrade is appreciated. I plan on doing the work myself.
My main question would be regarding the Caretaker system. Seems the general consensus is, its junk. I haven't had many issues with it in this first year, and the pool is about 16 years old. Only issue I've had is keeping the tiny screen clean inside the jandy valve, its kind of a pain to constantly disassemble the union on top and clean that little screen. I have recently come across the Blue Square q360 system and was wondering if its worth the upgrade. The cost does not seem too high and i was planning on replacing the in floor jets anyway, as they pop up, but don't spin currently. I have a deposit down on a new liner install which should be started shortly. They asked if i wanted to get rid of the system before the liner install. The reason i was straying away from doing that, is i just don't feel that when I have the caretaker system "off" or valve closed, I don't feel the pool gets very much circulation as I think the only returns then come from the 2 on the wall by the stairs. It makes the shallow end warm when the heat is on, but the deep end is ice cold. There are 2 large circle covers on the deep end floor, I know one is the drain, not sure if both are drains? Any help or opinions on keeping the system, and regarding the upgrade is appreciated. I plan on doing the work myself.