Designing a pool in Charlotte. Input wanted

[NCshane]

I've never owned a pool before, so I don't know what I don't know. Hoping that some experienced folks can offer good input.

Here is the deign:

• Pool size: 20’w x 40’ L
• Shape: Rectangular
• Depth: 3’ to 9’
• Volume: 32,600 gallons
• Main Drains: two (2) main drains with anti-vortex covers
• Skimmer: two (2) largemouth cover with removable basket
• Returns: 1.5” plumbing lines with four (4) returns
• Interior Finish: stonescapes mini pebble
• Freeze control: sensor build into system with auto cover linked into automation
• Timer: with freeze protection
• Diving Board: SR Smith salt pool jump system 8’ (longer so that it can be mounted behind the pool cover lid)
• Shallow end ledge: 5'9" length on the sides
• Shallow end benches: 6' long
• Deep end benches: 9' long
• Lights: builders are thinking two (2) on the long wall nearest the house (so that they are pointing away from the house) and one on each of the side walls (deep end and shallow end). Would it be better to try and put all four lights facing the same long wall pointing away from the house? That's what Jandy recommends in their design guide.

Equipment:

• Pump: Jandy ePump Variable Speed Pump | 2.2 THP 230V | VSSHP220AUT
• Filter: Jandy 340 large cartridge filter
• Salt Water Generator: Jandy Aquapure PLC 1400
• Heat Pump: Jandy JE3000T
• Auto Cover: Coverstar
• Automation System: iAquaLink 3
• Lights: one builder is pushing nicheless Jandy HydroCool (because he says that niche lights are prone to leaking). Another builder is recommending Jandy large Watercolor lights (because nicheless lights can't be repaired and are a pain and expensive to replace). In a previous post, I was given the advice to put in traditional niche lights and just swap the bulbs to LED. I'm open to that because I don't want a bunch of headaches from LED fixtures (but I would miss being able to control the lights from my phone).

I'm open to any input. Huge investment and I'd like to make as good of choices as possible!

 

[NCshane]

I noticed in the "How to Select Pool Equipment" guide, it says that you should have a minimum of 200SF/10,000 gallons. That would be 652 sq ft for me. Doesn't look like Jandy even makes a cartridge filter that big. Since the quoted 340 is half that, I guess I should tell them that we need to move up to the largest size available (580 sq ft)?

Similarly, the guide says that the SWCG cell should be rated for 2X your pool volume. The quoted Aquapure is rated for 40k, but it appears to be the largest that Jandy makes. Should I be concerned?

 

[JJ_Tex]

Awesome and glad to have you. Here are my 2 cents:

Depth - 3' is uncomfortably shallow, especially for adults. I would start at 3.5' or even 4'. If you have kids, they will be using the deep end and ledges in my experience.

Filter - The bigger the better since you can go longer in between cleanings.

Toe Tile on Benches - I like your design but a bit worried about someone jumping off the diving board or side and hitting those 2 benches in the deep end. I would suggest a small row of tile/toe tile to make those more visible to swimmers to avoid an emergency trip to the doctor/dentist. Here is a picture of our tile outlining the deep end bench/ledge:

 

[Jimrahbe]

Shane,

You can never go too big with Large cartridge filters.. A 580 would be just fine, especially since you are getting an autocover.

Did you ask for the diving board? Only ask because you don't see them much anymore and wanted to make sure it is something you will actually use.

A saltwater pools is the best kind of pool to have, but we always recommend that a salt cell be rated for at least 2 x the volume of the pool. Jandy's largest SWCG is only 40K, so a little too small for your pool. The autocover will also help with this issue.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[SecoSteve]

I agree with JJ on the shallow end depth. 3.5ft is what I wish we went with.

Also, the Jandy SWG is too small for your pool. I have 25,000 gallons and I have to keep my Jandy cell at about 75% in the summer. Granted, I don't currently have a variable speed pump, so I run my pump about 9 hours/day. I, as a Jandy Aquapure owner, would steer people away from it entirely. My first cell only lasted 1 1/2 seasons before the dreaded middle corrosion pin failure. Sure, Jandy was great with replacing it, but I'm not overly hopeful the new one will last.

Lastly, your sun shelf seems small to me. Is it just for entry to the pool, or are you planning on putting chairs on it? The umbrella in the shelf makes me think you will put something on it. You could lay it out in your yard to get an idea of the actual size.

 

[dfwnoob]

IMO, I'd ask if they can install anything other than Jandy. Jandy is aggressively anti-DIY, and you will have a hard time getting replacement pumps, automation, etc down the line unless you go through a greymarket reseller. Most builders only go with one OEM, so maybe not, but I'd much prefer a Pentair IntelliCenter and their IC-60 SWCG in the setup you're looking to do.

I would also make sure your homeowner's insurance is willing to cover a diving board. Mine told me in no uncertain terms that they would never insure me with one.

 

[NCshane]

Shane,

You can never go too big with Large cartridge filters.. A 580 would be just fine, especially since you are getting an autocover.

Did you ask for the diving board? Only ask because you don't see them much anymore and wanted to make sure it is something you will actually use.

A saltwater pools is the best kind of pool to have, but we always recommend that a salt cell be rated for at least 2 x the volume of the pool. Jandy's largest SWCG is only 40K, so a little too small for your pool. The autocover will also help with this issue.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks. I did ask for the diving board. I'll make sure it gets good use!

CircuPool RJ-60 is the largest SWCG that I've seen. Doesn't appear to support automation though. Most of the pool owners that I've spoken with that have wifi controls really like that feature. I plan to close the cover whenever the pool isn't in use (we have a lot of trees). The cover people make big claims about chemical-use reduction. Do you think the cover would make up for the Jandy being smaller?

 

[NCshane]

I agree with JJ on the shallow end depth. 3.5ft is what I wish we went with.

Also, the Jandy SWG is too small for your pool. I have 25,000 gallons and I have to keep my Jandy cell at about 75% in the summer. Granted, I don't currently have a variable speed pump, so I run my pump about 9 hours/day. I, as a Jandy Aquapure owner, would steer people away from it entirely. My first cell only lasted 1 1/2 seasons before the dreaded middle corrosion pin failure. Sure, Jandy was great with replacing it, but I'm not overly hopeful the new one will last.

Lastly, your sun shelf seems small to me. Is it just for entry to the pool, or are you planning on putting chairs on it? The umbrella in the shelf makes me think you will put something on it. You could lay it out in your yard to get an idea of the actual size.

Mainly just for entry and maybe a spot to sit. My wife said she wasn't interested in putting chairs there. We actually had the builder take the umbrella holder out of the design too.

 

[NCshane]

IMO, I'd ask if they can install anything other than Jandy. Jandy is aggressively anti-DIY, and you will have a hard time getting replacement pumps, automation, etc down the line unless you go through a greymarket reseller. Most builders only go with one OEM, so maybe not, but I'd much prefer a Pentair IntelliCenter and their IC-60 SWCG in the setup you're looking to do.

I would also make sure your homeowner's insurance is willing to cover a diving board. Mine told me in no uncertain terms that they would never insure me with one.

Thanks. Both builders quoted Jandy, but I can see if they can offer pentair. I did browse through apple app store reviews and their were a lot of complaints about the app being buggy...

I was already warned about insurance so I checked with my company (USAA) and they said they are good with diving boards!

 

[mc2021]

My pool is almost exactly like your, just 50' long, Jandy equip and SWG, coverstar etc. Here's what I can offer after a few years of ownership
-We have benches in the deep end but they are tucked into the corner. I think it was a code thing too which sufficed for a deep water exit. They are about 3ft long and if someone jumps to them, they have bigger problems with the wall to worry about.
-I wish I had gone 9.5' or 10' deep though. As a 200lb adult, my rear will hit off the bottom when jumping in and I tell people not to go head first. I had to change insurance companies due to the diving board and they charge me an extra $100/yr.
-We have 4 Jandy led's, not sure if there are different ones. All 4 are on the same wall and it looks great, I would see the ones on the sides and don't think you'll be happy with that.
-I have the Jandy 40K SWG and even in my northern climate, I have to run it 90% 24/7 to keep up in July/Aug. Jandy doesn't make anything bigger but you can run 2 (there's an article in pool school about it)
-I have the 540 or 580 filter and I can run all season on them with the pressure hardly budging, although we do close the cover when pollen and leaves are blowing around.

-MC

 

[Jimrahbe]

Shane,

You will want to keep the same brand of equipment and not try to mix and match as that only works sometimes..

In your location, with an autocover, a 40K cell should work. If you are stuck with Jandy, then you have no other choice.

Unlike most of our members, I find that sun-shelves are just a waste of space where you could be swimming...

I looked at your pics again and I am not a fan of the wedding cake style of stairs. One day you will be old and they are difficult to judge the older you get. I like stairs where every step is square and uniform.

I too would not go with 3'. I'd go with 4' deep.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[NCshane]

My pool is almost exactly like your, just 50' long, Jandy equip and SWG, coverstar etc. Here's what I can offer after a few years of ownership
-We have benches in the deep end but they are tucked into the corner. I think it was a code thing too which sufficed for a deep water exit. They are about 3ft long and if someone jumps to them, they have bigger problems with the wall to worry about.
-I wish I had gone 9.5' or 10' deep though. As a 200lb adult, my rear will hit off the bottom when jumping in and I tell people not to go head first. I had to change insurance companies due to the diving board and they charge me an extra $100/yr.
-We have 4 Jandy led's, not sure if there are different ones. All 4 are on the same wall and it looks great, I would see the ones on the sides and don't think you'll be happy with that.
-I have the Jandy 40K SWG and even in my northern climate, I have to run it 90% 24/7 to keep up in July/Aug. Jandy doesn't make anything bigger but you can run 2 (there's an article in pool school about it)
-I have the 540 or 580 filter and I can run all season on them with the pressure hardly budging, although we do close the cover when pollen and leaves are blowing around.

-MC

Thanks. Your deep end is 9'? I'll check into seeing how much going to 10k deep would cost.

Thanks for the input on lights on the side. Are your lights small (maybe a couple of inches) or big (like 10")? I think that would tell me if they are hydrocools or watercolors. How long have you had them?

I guess the problem with running your SWCG 90% of the time is that it wears out quicker? What would a desirable utilization be, 50%?

 

[NCshane]

Shane,

You will want to keep the same brand of equipment and not try to mix and match as that only works sometimes..

In your location, with an autocover, a 40K cell should work. If you are stuck with Jandy, then you have no other choice.

Unlike most of our members, I find that sun-shelves are just a waste of space where you could be swimming...

I looked at your pics again and I am not a fan of the wedding cake style of stairs. One day you will be old and they are difficult to judge the older you get. I like stairs where every step is square and uniform.

I too would not go with 3'. I'd go with 4' deep.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Comments on the shallow end depth noted. I will probably go to 3.5 like someone else suggested. I have a 6 year old so I don't want to make it too deep.

Thanks for your input on the equipment and SWCG. Great description of the stair design too...never heard it called wedding cake, but it describes it perfectly!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Shane,

Think of a SWCG like the gas tank on your car, only you can't fill it back up again.

The rating of the cell is how large the tank is.

A 40K cell will last longer than a 20K cell, and a 60K cell will last longer than a 40K cell.

Your pool will need X amount of chlorine (FC) each day. It does not really matter what % you run, you still have to run it long enough to make the amount of chlorine your pool will need.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[mc2021]

My deep end is 9' and I have the small 2in leds, pool was completed in Aug of 21. I had asked about going deeper and they were concerned about the pitch of the drop-off and leaving enough usable space in the shallow end. They don't want it to be too steep but I didn't really pursue it much unfortunately.

 

[kimkats]

Oh goodie!! A new pool to help build!!! THANKS!

Shallow end-your 6 yr old is growing every time you feel them LOL Do not base the pool depth for their current height. 3.5' is least you should go. 4' would be even better for the many years your family will be big enough to stand in the deep end.

 

[NCMike]

Comments on the shallow end depth noted. I will probably go to 3.5 like someone else suggested. I have a 6 year old so I don't want to make it too deep.

Your 6 year old will only be 6 for a year, then 7, then by they time they are 8 you will be wishing for the deeper water. My son is now 8, we built the pool when he was 6. He just used a float that first year to chase his sister around the shallow end. Now he swims like a fish and can easily stand in my 4ft shallow end. They grow up quick. Don't build your pool that will last the rest of your life based off of the height that your kids are now.

 

[bmoreswim]

Thanks. Both builders quoted Jandy, but I can see if they can offer pentair. I did browse through apple app store reviews and their were a lot of complaints about the app being buggy...

I was already warned about insurance so I checked with my company (USAA) and they said they are good with diving boards!

Also do check with your umbrella coverage provider. If you don't have it now's the time as you get a pool. We had the excess coverage in place and it was the excess carrier or policy that objected to the diving board not the primary coverage carrier or policy. Just so you don't get that "take out the board in 30 days or be cancelled" letter.

 

[bmoreswim]

If you want to have another view of benches in a pool very similar to yours, you can see ours below. We really enjoy our two tiered benches in the deep end, though the deep portion should have bee 40-42"" instead of 36". It's a great place to stand at that end and play catch. Good idea on moving to 3 1/2'. Ours is 3' for like the first 6" but it is too shallow. It also creates a steeper grade at some point. Just for reference, our pool is 38' long and the midway point is 5 - 5 1/2' deep.

2013-05-21 19.53.42.jpg

• bmoreswim
• Mar 9, 2020

2013-05-26 12.05.04-1.jpg

• bmoreswim
• Mar 7, 2019