Building a pool and nervous to make the wrong decisions

[roxygrlj]

we have been talking about a pool for years but prices have continued to rise so we never pulled the trigger until now. I am so nervous to not be considering something or make the wrong decision. We have a night space and want to make sure the yard is beautiful for the money we are spending. We live in AZ and don’t have to worry about closing the pool.
Features:
10x7 Baja ledge 12 inches water
Salt water
Heated pool
In floor cleaning
3 pool lights, 1 spa light, 2 light bubblers
Travertine
Pebble sheen
8x8 spa
Deepest part 5’5
Pool 16x32
Planning to do pentair products- would love a recommendation on where to buy
Bench seat on each end of the pool


I am looking for recommendations and recommended sites to buy equipment. Any suggestions help! Thank you.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to Polytec Pools

is a good place to buy Pentair equipment.

Will you be hiring a Pool Builder or BYOP?

An IFCS adds a lot of complexity to your pool and does not clean the pool 100%. A good robot cleaner does a better job then an IFCS. If you do get an IFCS you should also have traditional skimmer and returns installed with valves to be able to run one or the other or both.

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Gunite Spas - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[roxygrlj]

Welcome to Polytec Pools

is a good place to buy Pentair equipment.

Will you be hiring a Pool Builder or BYOP?

An IFCS adds a lot of complexity to your pool and does not clean the pool 100%. A good robot cleaner does a better job then an IFCS. If you do get an IFCS you should also have traditional skimmer and returns installed with valves to be able to run one or the other or both.

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Gunite Spas - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I hired someone who helps people build their own pool, so essentially building my own. Thank you for the link. I am almost positive we have a skimmer that I said I want to be able to hook a vaccum to. Do you have a recommendation for a good vacuum?

 

[proavia]

Add a separate vacuum line plumbed back to the pad.
Whether using a manual vacuum or a suction side cleaner, having a separate vacuum line is better.

For automation, look at the IntelliCenter. It is Pentair's most recent automation system.
Once you settle on equipment, post a list here including model numbers.

Ask the person helping to build your pool if they can get the equipment wholesale from SCP.
SCP has two Gilbert locations and several other locations around the valley. They sell wholesale only - not retail.

 

[ajw22]

I am almost positive we have a skimmer that I said I want to be able to hook a vaccum to. Do you have a recommendation for a good vacuum?

There are no good vacuum pool cleaners. A vacuum pool cleaner is the worst type of cleaner.

A robot cleaner is far better for pool cleaning.

 

[roxygrlj]

Add a separate vacuum line plumbed back to the pad.
Whether using a manual vacuum or a suction side cleaner, having a separate vacuum line is better.

For automation, look at the IntelliCenter. It is Pentair's most recent automation system.
Once you settle on equipment, post a list here including model numbers.

Ask the person helping to build your pool if they can get the equipment wholesale from SCP.
SCP has two Gilbert locations and several other locations around the valley. They sell wholesale only - not retail.

I3 VSF​

3HP 230V INTELLIFLO3 VSF PUMP No Relay
1
$1,474.48
$1,474.48

420 Sq ft Cartridge filter 160301​

420 Sq. Ft. Cartridge Filter

1
$1,003.90
$1,003.90

400k BTU NG 460736​

400k BTU NG Mastertemp Low Nox Heater

1
$2,826.71
$2,826.71

2HP Air blower AIR-85-8464​

2HP 240V Air Blower

1
$164.32
$164.32

24x36x3 Pad Div-40-2609​

24"x 36"x 3" Cladlite Equipment Pad

1
$50.00
$50.00

24x24x3 Pad Div-40-2608​

24"x 24"x 3" Cladlite Equipment Pad

1
$33.00
$33.00

I5PS 521907​

INTELLICENTER I5PS POOL/SPA CONTROL W/O SCG

1
$2,241.96
$2,241.96

CVA​

24V 180^ VALVE ACTUATOR (COM-30-699)

1
$180.40
$180.40

100' Microbrite 620425​

12V 100' 1.5"MPT COLOR MICROBRITE LED LIGHT

2
$407.12
$814.24

100w transformer amp-30-7023​

Pentair 100W TRANSFORMER

1
$119.69
$119.69

Colorvision Bubbler Niche 580037​

COLORVISION BUBBLER GUNITE NICHE KIT

2
$94.19
$188.38

Globrite to Microbrite adapter​

Globrite to Microbrite adapter 618040
2
$19.33
$38.66

Lt Gry Channel drain 288102​

LT GRY PEBBLE TOP AVSC SINGLE SUCTION CHANNEL DRAIN

2
$270.88
$541.76

Grey Paraskim​

Grey Paraskim V Venturi Skimmer with Beige Lid
1
$189.43
$189.43

Paralevel​

004-760-2902-00PARALEVEL AUTOFILL F/ PAVER DECKS

1
$70.13
$70.13

6 port complete​

2" 6-Port Water Valve Complete (estimated until we get it drawn)
1
$416.31
$416.31

PV3 Heads​

004-627-5060-08 LIGHT GRY PV3 NOZZLE W/ TWIST LOCK CAP (estimated until we get it drawn)

27
$57.98
$1,565.46

PV3 Collars​

004-627-4760-08 LT GRY PV3 PVR CYC PCCSTEP RIBBED BODY W/ CAP (estimated until we get it drawn)

27
$32.76
$884.52

Intellibrite Pool 100'​

120V 100' COLOR POOL INTELLIBRITE 5G LED LIGHT Architectural

3
$821.82
$2,465.46

Pool light niche 79206700​

1" REAR HUB LARGE PVC LIGHT NICHE F/ CONCRETE

3
$65.00
$195.00

Intellibrite Spa 100'​

120V 100' COLOR SPA INTELLIBRITE 5G LED LIGHT Architectural

1
$767.66
$767.66

Spa Niche 79206600​

1" REAR HUB SMALL PVC LIGHT NICHE F/ CONCRETE

1
$60.23
$60.23

• Subtotal
  $16,291.70
• AZ-Maricopa (7.8%)
  $1,270.75
• Total
  $17,562.45

 

[phonedave]

Are you sure you want a spa?

Have you ever been in a concrete spa that is attached to a pool? They are vastly different from a stand alone hot tub.

Lots of people have them and love them. There are also a significant number of people who have them, and never use them, because it is not what they expeceted.

 

[roxygrlj]

Are you sure you want a spa?

Have you ever been in a concrete spa that is attached to a pool? They are vastly different from a stand alone hot tub.

Lots of people have them and love them. There are also a significant number of people who have them, and never use them, because it is not what they expeceted.

I have been and I like the standalone better, but my husband wants this say he’s not a big pool guy, but he will sit in the spa while we’re all in the pool

 

[Newdude]

+1. It's form or function. Attached spas, while aesthetically beautiful, are really for entertaining IMO when you're all having so much fun thay that nobody cares they are sitting on concrete and sharing a handful of jets. When not in use they are visually stunning though.

A stand alone hot tub is the heavenly 'full spa experience', yet kind of creepy to bathe with acquaintances. When not in use, they're an eyesore.

I always reccomend pouring an actual pad. It won't cost much more than the pre form pads but will last forever. For my 2nd build it was actually the same price either way and a no brainer to go with a poured pad. My pre formed pads weathered in a couple of years and were well past time to replace them when we moved at 8.5 years.

At the new place, I was going nuts trying to stay occupied while the shortages delayed the build, so I used scap planks to build a form and lined the bottom with 3/8 gravel. On pour day, they filled it with the leftovers for free, thrilled they didn't have to cart it away. They didn't go crazy smoothing it, but it's way good enough for a free 4x10 pad.

 

[roxygrlj]

We are building our own pool using an independent contractor that I hired this is the first quote for a pool equipment. Wondering what’s the best way to save money? Should I buy it on my own? Does this list look right

 

[Jimrahbe]

Rox,

Here is a good site.. Welcome to Polytec Pools

You have to sign in to get pricing.. Anyone can sign in..

Where did the prices on the list come from??

I just looked at the IntelliFlo3 and it is $225 less than the current website price of $1,700..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[roxygrlj]

Rox,

Here is a good site.. Welcome to Polytec Pools

You have to sign in to get pricing.. Anyone can sign in..

Where did the prices on the list come from??

I just looked at the IntelliFlo3 and it is $225 less than the current website price of $1,700..

Thanks,

Jim R.

This is a quote from a wholesaler that my contractor got. I felt like some were good and some a little high. I just don’t know if the equipment looks right.

 

[roxygrlj]

+1. It's form or function. Attached spas, while aesthetically beautiful, are really for entertaining IMO when you're all having so much fun thay that nobody cares they are sitting on concrete and sharing a handful of jets. When not in use they are visually stunning though.

A stand alone hot tub is the heavenly 'full spa experience', yet kind of creepy to bathe with acquaintances. When not in use, they're an eyesore.

I always reccomend pouring an actual pad. It won't cost much more than the pre form pads but will last forever. For my 2nd build it was actually the same proce either way and a no brainer to go with a poured pad. My pre formed pads weathered in a couple of years and were well past time to replace them when we moved at 8.5 years.

At the new place, I was going nuts trying to stay occupied while the shortages delayed the build, so I used scap planks to build a form and lined the bottom with 3/8 gravel. On pour day, they filled it with the leftovers for free, thrilled they didn't have to cart it away. They didn't go crazy smoothing it, but it's way good enough for a free 4x10 pad.

Thank you. We will change the pad!

 

[proavia]

You may want to look into the Intellicenter iPS8 instead of the iPS5.
The iPS8 provides more flexability.

Also, add the SWG now. Using tablets is not sustainable and liquid chlorine will cost more than a SWG over time.
How many gallons is the pool estimated to be? We recommend a SWG rated for at least 2 times the pool volume.
The Intellicenter is available with the SWG. This includes a built-in SWG power center and the actual SWG. If you add it later, it will require an external power center, the SWG and installation.

Since you are talking an IFCS, also have separate returns plumbed in. This allows selecting the IFCS or the separate returns. You can also automate the valve to select between IFCS and returns (the iPS8 will provide the necessary relay to accomplish this.

 

[roxygrlj]

You may want to look into the Intellicenter iPS8 instead of the iPS5.
The iPS8 provides more flexability.

Also, add the SWG now. Using tablets is not sustainable and liquid chlorine will cost more than a SWG over time.
How many gallons is the pool estimated to be? We recommend a SWG rated for at least 2 times the pool volume.
The Intellicenter is available with the SWG. This includes a built-in SWG power center and the actual SWG. If you add it later, it will require an external power center, the SWG and installation.

Since you are talking an IFCS, also have separate returns plumbed in. This allows selecting the IFCS or the separate returns. You can also automate the valve to select between IFCS and returns (the iPS8 will provide the necessary relay to accomplish this.

They had forgot salt water and updated it to

I5PS with Salt 521906​

INTELLICENTER I5PS POOL/SPA CONTROL W/ SCG (COM-30-0971) for $3,458.21. Is SCG different than swg?

 

[proavia]

Salt Water Chlorine Generator - can be abbreviated as SWG, SWCG or SCG.

The 521906 is the iPS5IC40 that comes with the IC40 SWG. How many gallons is the pool supposed to be?

 

[roxygrlj]

Salt Water Chlorine Generator - can be abbreviated as SWG, SWCG or SCG.

The 521906 is the iPS5IC40 that comes with the IC40 SWG. How many gallons is the pool supposed to be?

No one has mentioned. It’s 16x32 3.5,4.5, and 5,5 then a 10x7 Baja. Not sure how I would figure that out

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I would vote NO on the in-floor cleaning system as they add too much complexity and if they go bad you’re basically left with a choice of fixing an expensive leak or abandoning the system and filling the pipes with concrete. They use a lot of power and, honestly, they clean no better than any other method.

I disagree with the comment that suction side cleaners are “the worst kind of cleaner”. I have a suction cleaner, tried a robot, and went back to a suction cleaner. The performance difference between the robot and the suction cleaner was no different in my pool and suction cleaners are A LOT cheaper to repair and keep going than any other type of cleaner.

Salt water chlorine generator only, NO TABS. Not here in the desert, you will be miserable using tabs.

If you don’t have one, get a whole house water softener and make sure your auto fill line is plumbed with SOFTENED water. If you don’t, the calcium hardness of the water will get out of control fast and you will ruin your pool tiles with excessive calcium scale.

 

[proavia]

I agree with every point Matt (@JoyfulNoise ) made in his post (#15).

While I have an IFCS that I had put in when my pool was built in 1999, if I had that choice today I would not put one in. In 1999, variable speed pumps weren't quite a thing yet. An IFCS requires high pump RPM which equates to a higher electricity usage and cost. The added complexity is another issue. And if you don't have separate returns plumbed in when the pool is built, you are stuck with no returns if the IFCS plumbing fails.

A SWG and a water softener plumbed to the autofill are essential in our desert. My CH hasn't risen in over the two years I've had soft water to the autofill. And with a SWG, I can easily leave for two plus weeks at a time and not worry if the pool will turn green or have to arrange for someone to look after the pool in my absense.

 

[Newdude]

It’s 16x32 3.5,4.5, and 5,5 then a 10x7 Baja. Not sure how I would figure that out

Length X width X average depth X 7.481 gallons per cu ft. I get a little over 17k, with the Baha shelf on the outside of the perimeter. If it's on the inside subtract some gallons.

Either way, you have long and intense summers. A huge SWG will live longer and likely be a cheaper upgrade than the lifespan gained.