Hi, we signed on to build a pool/spa with projected completing early August of this year. What do recommend as ideal/mandatory equipment or features for a pool in 2018 (ignoring personal design preferences)? Thanks in advance. FYI we live in Nashville with a 6-8 month season of pool use.
Building a new pool...best/mandatory features?
- Thread starter mparkerwillis
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,107
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Hello and welcome to TFP! 
Congrats on the new plans. Exciting I'm sure. Well, when it comes to pools, the sky's the limit.... well.... actually your checkbook is the limit. 
But assuming you have a basic pool layout already chosen (shape, depth, etc), I'll start with the following items for you to consider:
1 - How will you chlorinate? Don't be fooled by mineral systems, UV, or Ozone. Do some searches here at TFP and you'll quickly see why. Chlorination will be from one of 3 primary sources - Manually adding some chlorine each day (i.e. regular bleach is the same as chlorine), a Salt Water Generator (SWG) which can be automated for ease of chlorine generation, or a liquid chlorine dispenser (i.e. Stenner pump). If your builder mentions an in-line chlorinator that uses tablets, just understand those are fine for short-term use like when you're on vacation. If you use tablets too long, you drive your CYA (stabilizer) through the roof and will have to exchange water.
2 - What type of pump will you get? Dual speed, variable speed? If they say single speed, insist on one of the others.
3 - Do you care for overall automation? SWGs, variable speed pumps, and other products can be programmed for easy use. But again, those come with an up-front cost. Some folks like the technology, while others are put-off by the high-tech stuff, so it's up to you.
4 - Make sure you have adequate return jets to the pool for good circulation.
5 - I can't emphasize this enough ...... have the "proper" test kit of your own on-hand on day one of fill. We recommend either the TF-100 w/ magnetic speedstir (my personal favorite & link below) or the Taylor K-2006C. But you must have one or the other and test your own water. It is not difficult, and you'll be glad you did right from the start.
Okay, that's my lecture for the evening :blah:, nice to have you with us!
Congrats on the new plans. Exciting I'm sure. Well, when it comes to pools, the sky's the limit.... well.... actually your checkbook is the limit. But assuming you have a basic pool layout already chosen (shape, depth, etc), I'll start with the following items for you to consider:1 - How will you chlorinate? Don't be fooled by mineral systems, UV, or Ozone. Do some searches here at TFP and you'll quickly see why. Chlorination will be from one of 3 primary sources - Manually adding some chlorine each day (i.e. regular bleach is the same as chlorine), a Salt Water Generator (SWG) which can be automated for ease of chlorine generation, or a liquid chlorine dispenser (i.e. Stenner pump). If your builder mentions an in-line chlorinator that uses tablets, just understand those are fine for short-term use like when you're on vacation. If you use tablets too long, you drive your CYA (stabilizer) through the roof and will have to exchange water.
2 - What type of pump will you get? Dual speed, variable speed? If they say single speed, insist on one of the others.
3 - Do you care for overall automation? SWGs, variable speed pumps, and other products can be programmed for easy use. But again, those come with an up-front cost. Some folks like the technology, while others are put-off by the high-tech stuff, so it's up to you.
4 - Make sure you have adequate return jets to the pool for good circulation.
5 - I can't emphasize this enough ...... have the "proper" test kit of your own on-hand on day one of fill. We recommend either the TF-100 w/ magnetic speedstir (my personal favorite & link below) or the Taylor K-2006C. But you must have one or the other and test your own water. It is not difficult, and you'll be glad you did right from the start.
Okay, that's my lecture for the evening :blah:, nice to have you with us!
Hey there
I'd say a mandatory feature should be a handrail.
Some posters felt that they're not in style with their pool aesthetics (and later regretted it!) but I'm tellin' ya here and now- we're all getting older by the day and you never know when you might have an ache or pain that *really* limits your access to the pool if you didn't have that handrail.
Just my two cents.
Maddie
I'd say a mandatory feature should be a handrail.
Some posters felt that they're not in style with their pool aesthetics (and later regretted it!) but I'm tellin' ya here and now- we're all getting older by the day and you never know when you might have an ache or pain that *really* limits your access to the pool if you didn't have that handrail.
Just my two cents.
Maddie
m,
Welcome to TFP... a great place to find the answers to all your new pool questions...
I find the main thing you need is water....
What you are asking is impossible to answer because most everything is a personal preference....
I personally will never own another pool that is not a saltwater pool. A Saltwater Chlorine Generator (SWCG) converts the salt into chlorine to sanitize the pool water making it safe to swim in and clear as a bell.
I personally like automation systems especially when you have a Pool and a Spa. Automation makes the pool and spa work together seamlessly.
I personally would never build a new pool with a Single speed pump.. I would use either a Variable speed pump or at a minimum a 2-speed pump.
I personally like large filters, so that they do not have to be cleaned very often..
I personally would run away from any form of "Magic" equipment.. Things like UV sanitizers, Ozone Generators, or Mineral sanitizers.. they are all magic, but unfortunately contain no rabbit...
I personally like sports pools where the two ends are about 4' deep and the middle is about 5.5 feet deep...
I personally like the ability to control my pool using my PC, Tablet, or Phone.
I could go on and on and on, but almost everything I listed is my personal preference... except for the water which is pretty much mandatory...
Thanks for posting,
Jim R.
Welcome to TFP... a great place to find the answers to all your new pool questions...
I find the main thing you need is water....
What you are asking is impossible to answer because most everything is a personal preference....
I personally will never own another pool that is not a saltwater pool. A Saltwater Chlorine Generator (SWCG) converts the salt into chlorine to sanitize the pool water making it safe to swim in and clear as a bell.
I personally like automation systems especially when you have a Pool and a Spa. Automation makes the pool and spa work together seamlessly.
I personally would never build a new pool with a Single speed pump.. I would use either a Variable speed pump or at a minimum a 2-speed pump.
I personally like large filters, so that they do not have to be cleaned very often..
I personally would run away from any form of "Magic" equipment.. Things like UV sanitizers, Ozone Generators, or Mineral sanitizers.. they are all magic, but unfortunately contain no rabbit...
I personally like sports pools where the two ends are about 4' deep and the middle is about 5.5 feet deep...
I personally like the ability to control my pool using my PC, Tablet, or Phone.
I could go on and on and on, but almost everything I listed is my personal preference... except for the water which is pretty much mandatory...
Thanks for posting,
Jim R.
- Jun 7, 2017
- 10,002
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
+1 on the handrail. They can be installed to be removable as well. For me, mandatory would also be a heater.
Mandatory pool features:
Variable speed pump - you can run at lower speed for longer periods of time, generates far less noise and provides longer cleaning periods.
Separate valves to any features, skimmers, returns - you want to be able to fine tune the flow to each individually
Salt Water Chlorine Generator - Generates chlorine when your pump is running - almost eliminates the need for chlorine (liquid or tabs)
A good test kit - start practicing with it on your tap water - or friend's pool! Water chemistry is important and you want to be able to test yours daily - at least for the first few months while everything is settling / balancing.
Mandatory personal features:
Patience - Building a pool will likely take longer than expected - ours took 2 month longer than pool builder estimated and 1 month longer than I expected. There were no weather delays - city inspectors a while to do their part, paver company made several mistakes, and the pool builder even made a few mistakes causing them to redo some tasks.
Willingness to perform routine maintenance - It's not hard and I'm talking 10 minutes a day to test Chlorine and pH levels, add chemicals to adjust. On days that you need to vacuum and skim debris off the surface, 45 minutes.
Patience - I know...already stated - but it does no one any good to get upset when things don't go exactly as expected or on time. Our pool builder made corrections when necessary and our pool is awesome...it is worth the wait.
Variable speed pump - you can run at lower speed for longer periods of time, generates far less noise and provides longer cleaning periods.
Separate valves to any features, skimmers, returns - you want to be able to fine tune the flow to each individually
Salt Water Chlorine Generator - Generates chlorine when your pump is running - almost eliminates the need for chlorine (liquid or tabs)
A good test kit - start practicing with it on your tap water - or friend's pool! Water chemistry is important and you want to be able to test yours daily - at least for the first few months while everything is settling / balancing.
Mandatory personal features:
Patience - Building a pool will likely take longer than expected - ours took 2 month longer than pool builder estimated and 1 month longer than I expected. There were no weather delays - city inspectors a while to do their part, paver company made several mistakes, and the pool builder even made a few mistakes causing them to redo some tasks.
Willingness to perform routine maintenance - It's not hard and I'm talking 10 minutes a day to test Chlorine and pH levels, add chemicals to adjust. On days that you need to vacuum and skim debris off the surface, 45 minutes.
Patience - I know...already stated - but it does no one any good to get upset when things don't go exactly as expected or on time. Our pool builder made corrections when necessary and our pool is awesome...it is worth the wait.
This group of awesome folks to help you along the way! Feed them a few pictures every now and again to make friends for life.
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,284
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
- Oct 18, 2009
- 3,648
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
OP, some items should be mandatory.
1. Patio space around the pool. We have 1800sq ft of pavers and it is still too small. You will be quite surprised how much room a couple of lounges, chairs and tables take up.
2. Pre plumb for water and electric, gas for summer kitchen, or firepit.
3. Pre wire for extra electrical outlets. We have about 20 outlets and still run out especially during holidays. (Make sure you have a Large sub panel 100amps should be enough)
4. Pre wire wires for speakers or perhaps you may want to go the wireless route.
Post lots of pics. We love pics.Hope this helps
1. Patio space around the pool. We have 1800sq ft of pavers and it is still too small. You will be quite surprised how much room a couple of lounges, chairs and tables take up.
2. Pre plumb for water and electric, gas for summer kitchen, or firepit.
3. Pre wire for extra electrical outlets. We have about 20 outlets and still run out especially during holidays. (Make sure you have a Large sub panel 100amps should be enough)
4. Pre wire wires for speakers or perhaps you may want to go the wireless route.
Post lots of pics. We love pics.
Hope this helps
Really good info here. We are about to start building and I agree with everything Jimrahbe said.
Me too
Saltwater
Robot
Autofill
Auto overflow
Heat! Solar panels, heat pump, solar cover.
Saltwater
Robot
Autofill
Auto overflow
Heat! Solar panels, heat pump, solar cover.
pooldv, I get it that heat is desirable. I don't really understand the solar panels / heat pump route, however. Wouldn't it be more efficient to just use solar to heat the pool water directly, rather than creating electricity and using the electricity to heat the water?
Yes. We have solar panels that water moves through to heat the water and a heat pump. No PV electric solar panels.
I thought a heat pump was a kind of electric heater? How does it work in conjunction with solar water heater panels? Is it jsut auxiliary heat?
Yes, the heat pump is an electric heater. Same as a heat,pump for your house. The pump pumps water to the solar panels when it is warm enough then the water goes to the heat pump to heat it more. Or if the sun isnt out, or at night, the solar panels are bypassed and water goes straight to the heat pump to be heated. Water goes pump, filter, solar panels, heat pump, SWG, pool.
It’s not mandatory, but I cringe when a pool is fenced with direct child access from the house.
I’m a four sided fence lover.
I’m a four sided fence lover.
Thanks, pooldv. Sorry if it was a stupid question. I guess electricity is a lot cheaper in Texas than in California. I don't know anyone that heats with electricity around her.