Hello all,
Newbie here who wants an IG pool, but trying to do my due diligence in specing out the equipment. Location in Sacramento area, CA. Plan to build a pool with combined spa. Would like to extend swimming season from april - october.
Cost is a secondary concern, but I wouldn't want to throw away money if I don't need to.
Convenience, energy efficiency, reliability, durability are the primary goals. With that in mind, please lend any helpful comments towards any/all aspects of my proposed setup:
1. Structure: Viking Fiberglass pool. If I don't need a custom designed pool for my yard, can anyone give me a good reason to use gunite? There is a local Viking dealer here, and I like the idea of Crystite instead of a regular gelcoat. I would consider a Trilogy pool with their ultra-granicoat, but they don't have a dealer in the area.
2. Pump: Pentair Intelliflo. It's got to be either this or the 4x160, because I definitely want the energy efficiency gains of this pump. Electric costs are too high here in CA for me to consider any other pump. As a newbie, I'm thinking that the Intelliflo will be easier for me to eventually program/customize myself, as opposed to the 4x160.
3. Sanitizer: Autopilot Total Control: I like the idea of automatic control of pH and Chlorine.
4. Filter: I think the convenience of sand filter + a little DE powder is probably the least labor intensive. I don't like the idea of pulling out cartridges and hosing them off. That said, I have no idea what the differences between various brands of sand filters are, so any comments would be appreciated.
5.Heater: I believe many people around here use NG +/- Solar for their pool/spa combo. Since I do plan on using my spa, and I don't want to have a NG heater due to energy costs. I'm thinking of getting a heat pump, specifically Heat Siphon SX 5.0 for the high COP rating and warranty. I don't think I need any digital controls, since it will be hooked up to the automation, right?
6. Automation: Intellitouch i5, or i7+3. Choosing Intellitouch instead of Jandy due to the Intelliflo pump. I would like automation to accomplish the following:
- maintain pool heat temp continuously
- automatically start water features and ( likely around 2-3 separate features) from 5pm - 7pm daily
- automatically start spa spillover mode from 5-7pm daily
- manual control of spa mode, and control spa temp once spa mode is entered
- auto-shut off of spa mode after 15-20 minutes
- manual start/stop of individual water features
- automatically turn on /off pool lighting at preset times
- automatic and manual control of landscape lighting
7. Automatic Pool Cleaner: One of the aquabot or derivatives: leaning towards Blue Pearl, but would be willing to upgrade to the higher models if someone can give me a good reason to spend more.
8. Pool Lighting system: haven't got a clue on this one, would welcome suggestions
9. Solar cover/reel: I would consider an auto-cover, but I read somewhere that the life expectancy is only 7 years or so? If that's the case then it would cost around $1000/yr for an auto cover. So I'm looking for suggestions for a manual reel/cover system that's easy to use and not too obtrusive.
10. Decking: Plan to use brushed concrete, not willing to use natural stone due to cost and maintenance issues (learned my lesson with me not taking care of my stamped concrete and 3 rivers rock structures). I want to seal the concrete to extend the decks life. Any ideas as to a good long lasting > 10 -15 yr. sealant? I've seen silica based sealants, acrylic, and epoxy coatings. Anyone with experience / recommendations on this?
Sorry for such a long post, but the amount of knowledge and pool experience in this forum is vast, and my family and I would be eternally grateful for your thoughts....
Steve
Newbie here who wants an IG pool, but trying to do my due diligence in specing out the equipment. Location in Sacramento area, CA. Plan to build a pool with combined spa. Would like to extend swimming season from april - october.
Cost is a secondary concern, but I wouldn't want to throw away money if I don't need to.
Convenience, energy efficiency, reliability, durability are the primary goals. With that in mind, please lend any helpful comments towards any/all aspects of my proposed setup:
1. Structure: Viking Fiberglass pool. If I don't need a custom designed pool for my yard, can anyone give me a good reason to use gunite? There is a local Viking dealer here, and I like the idea of Crystite instead of a regular gelcoat. I would consider a Trilogy pool with their ultra-granicoat, but they don't have a dealer in the area.
2. Pump: Pentair Intelliflo. It's got to be either this or the 4x160, because I definitely want the energy efficiency gains of this pump. Electric costs are too high here in CA for me to consider any other pump. As a newbie, I'm thinking that the Intelliflo will be easier for me to eventually program/customize myself, as opposed to the 4x160.
3. Sanitizer: Autopilot Total Control: I like the idea of automatic control of pH and Chlorine.
4. Filter: I think the convenience of sand filter + a little DE powder is probably the least labor intensive. I don't like the idea of pulling out cartridges and hosing them off. That said, I have no idea what the differences between various brands of sand filters are, so any comments would be appreciated.
5.Heater: I believe many people around here use NG +/- Solar for their pool/spa combo. Since I do plan on using my spa, and I don't want to have a NG heater due to energy costs. I'm thinking of getting a heat pump, specifically Heat Siphon SX 5.0 for the high COP rating and warranty. I don't think I need any digital controls, since it will be hooked up to the automation, right?
6. Automation: Intellitouch i5, or i7+3. Choosing Intellitouch instead of Jandy due to the Intelliflo pump. I would like automation to accomplish the following:
- maintain pool heat temp continuously
- automatically start water features and ( likely around 2-3 separate features) from 5pm - 7pm daily
- automatically start spa spillover mode from 5-7pm daily
- manual control of spa mode, and control spa temp once spa mode is entered
- auto-shut off of spa mode after 15-20 minutes
- manual start/stop of individual water features
- automatically turn on /off pool lighting at preset times
- automatic and manual control of landscape lighting
7. Automatic Pool Cleaner: One of the aquabot or derivatives: leaning towards Blue Pearl, but would be willing to upgrade to the higher models if someone can give me a good reason to spend more.
8. Pool Lighting system: haven't got a clue on this one, would welcome suggestions
9. Solar cover/reel: I would consider an auto-cover, but I read somewhere that the life expectancy is only 7 years or so? If that's the case then it would cost around $1000/yr for an auto cover. So I'm looking for suggestions for a manual reel/cover system that's easy to use and not too obtrusive.
10. Decking: Plan to use brushed concrete, not willing to use natural stone due to cost and maintenance issues (learned my lesson with me not taking care of my stamped concrete and 3 rivers rock structures). I want to seal the concrete to extend the decks life. Any ideas as to a good long lasting > 10 -15 yr. sealant? I've seen silica based sealants, acrylic, and epoxy coatings. Anyone with experience / recommendations on this?
Sorry for such a long post, but the amount of knowledge and pool experience in this forum is vast, and my family and I would be eternally grateful for your thoughts....
Steve