Feb 19th update, New Build in Tampa - Travertine Paver Deck & Solar (Partially Installed)

[Rossterman]

You can never go too big on a filter. You’ll have longer run times before cleaning as a benefit. My cl480 is a once a year chore.

As to the heater choice, the cost difference between that and a 400k heater is not much. I’d suggest getting the 400k btu version and paying an upcharge. Should only be a few hundred more.

 

[usfbull]

I lived in South Louisiana as a young boy. We had a pool and a screen enclosure. Had a rare ice storm. The weight of the ice laying on the screen torn down the screen brackets (not the screen itself) from the house. Once 1 side fell, the others caved in as well. It was a mess to clean up. After that, no more screen enclosure. So unusual things can happen.

That is sort of what I meant by if a storm knocks out the screen I would have bigger issues to deal with. It would really have to be a freak storm here for ice. I think there was some light snow back in the early 70's. The screen will be covered under home owners policy so hopefully that should help if something wild happens. I am not a fan of cages myself but between the oak trees, flying biting insects, snakes, frogs, etc we have to have it.

 

[usfbull]

As to the heater choice, the cost difference between that and a 400k heater is not much. I’d suggest getting the 400k btu version and paying an upcharge. Should only be a few hundred more.

Are you referring to natural gas or heat pump?

 

[PoolBrews]

At 400K that is a gas heater. We don't have natural gas where I'm at, so we use a heat pump. Here in FL, the heat pump has zero issues heating the pool, and is FAR cheaper to run than a natural gas heater. If you have to use propane, the cost goes up even more. The largest heat pump I've seen is 144K.

The canvas covering is fantastic! The installer actually attaches a hurricane rated frame to your cage, then the canvas is splined into the frame. Provides great shade, and we can use our outdoor area even in the rain. The frame attached to the cage makes the cage structurally stronger, and the canvas is also hurricane rated.

 

[usfbull]

At 400K that is a gas heater. We don't have natural gas where I'm at, so we use a heat pump. Here in FL, the heat pump has zero issues heating the pool, and is FAR cheaper to run than a natural gas heater. If you have to use propane, the cost goes up even more. The largest heat pump I've seen is 144K.

The canvas covering is fantastic! The installer actually attaches a hurricane rated frame to your cage, then the canvas is splined into the frame. Provides great shade, and we can use our outdoor area even in the rain. The frame attached to the cage makes the cage structurally stronger, and the canvas is also hurricane rated.

Yes, I need to run some calculations the heat pumps the PB's are offering seem to cost ~$3k more upfront vs the natural gas heaters. Even with the added costs for the months I would use the heater i wonder how long the cheaper operational cost of a heat pump would take to make up the upfront premium.

Did your PB install the canvas? Do you have any links to the canvas installed? Would love to find out more info, thanks!

 

[PoolBrews]

The canvas was installed by Sunshine Awnings ((352) 787-4436). They are the only company that I know of in central FL that offers a hurricane rated canvas covering. I'm very surprised at the cost difference in the heaters. The heat pump on it's own is about $500 - $1K more than a gas heater, and you need to have electrical installed for it. There is a little extra work, but once the electrician is there for the other work I can't imagine them charging an additional $2,500.

On our install, a gas heater installed was quoted at $3,500, and the heat pump at $4,000. We don't have natural gas and didn't want the added expense of a propane tank (nor the additional cost), so went with the heat pump.

 

[PoolBrews]

I just read about a company that does SIP panels. They are a rigid panel that attaches to the top of the cage replacing the existing screen. They meet hurricane requirements, and are guaranteed not to leak. I don't know what the cost is, but the company is Simplex Aluminum in Mt Dora. Just another possible option.

 

[usfbull]

I just read about a company that does SIP panels. They are a rigid panel that attaches to the top of the cage replacing the existing screen. They meet hurricane requirements, and are guaranteed not to leak. I don't know what the cost is, but the company is Simplex Aluminum in Mt Dora. Just another possible option.

Thanks, will take a look.

 

[usfbull]

Ok, so we selected our builder finally! Last thing we are trying to decide if we want sports pool or more traditional shallow to deep.

We are torn as the pool is only 27' long and we are looking to go from 3.5' to a maximum of 5.5'. We were originally thinking 3.5 - 5.5 - 4.0

Yet, I think if we do that the entire pool will feel like one big slope up and down.



I confirmed all water depth levels - " Water depth on all areas is variable – shell is built at depth plus 3” so in the 4’ example the shell should be built at 4’3” with water stopping about 3” from the top, this typically aligns with the center of the skimmer as you mention. "

15' x 27' - Depths TBD
10' x 5' - 9" depth sunshelf with umbrella holder and bubbler

Hydrazzo polished finish

Bird Cage

2" Plumbing, 3 Return Inlets & 1 Pool Sweep Line.
1 Pentair Deluxe Skimmer
Pentair Dual Main Drains
overflow line from skimmer into small rock pit

Equipment
Pentair IntelliFlo 3 hp Variable Speed Pool Pump
Pentair 420 SqFt Cartridge Filter
Pentair IntelliChlor IC30 Salt Chlorine Generator.
2 MicroBrite Lights
Intelliconnect Automation

Decking: 714 SF, 6"x12" Travetine Paver Deck. (Standard Color).
Standard 2 Inch Deck Drain: 40 LF.

solar for pool water with thermostat

I had thought about having volleyball sleeves installed when we were think sports pool but if we change not sure if that would still work? perhaps it could work if we didn't center the sleeves?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Bull,

Double check your SWCG.. it is either an iChlor 30 or IntelliChlor IC 40.. We always recommend that a SWCG be rated for at least 2 X the volume of your pool.. I did not see the volume of your pool listed.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[usfbull]

Ichlor 30, as we are still deciding on depths and sports pool or not the volume is still unknown.

 

[HermanTX]

My pool is 27 x 15 and depth 3.5 to 5.5 to 4ft. you do not feel the slope and find it is quite enjoyable.
Just want to indicate its workable if you go that way.

 

[usfbull]

My pool is 27 x 15 and depth 3.5 to 5.5 to 4ft. you do not feel the slope and find it is quite enjoyable.
Just want to indicate its workable if you go that way.

Oh wow so same exact size! Do you have any drawings of where your depths change?

 

[HermanTX]

Oh wow so same exact size! Do you have any drawings of where your depths change?

Unfortunately I am 3rd owner so no original plans. It is also a free form pool - think of figure 8 looking down from the sky. See the photo. The spa is to the front left and overflows into the pool onto a seating area that you can not see. . I also do not have any sun deck. It is roughly 25ft from the farside to the front of the steps (the bottom of the steps and seat in front of the spa). The 3.5ft is bottom of step then it goes to 4-4.5ft. The middle is the drain and deepest at 5.5ft then it goes up to 4ft right before the seat by the waterfall on far side.
Hope this helps.

 

[usfbull]

Thanks, it helps. I guess we just have to decide how we want the pool. We want most of the pool to be between 4' to 5' and a small portion at 5.5' just trying to figure out how this would work best, sports or more traditional shallow to deep?

 

[HermanTX]

Thanks, it helps. I guess we just have to decide how we want the pool. We want most of the pool to be between 4' to 5' and a small portion at 5.5' just trying to figure out how this would work best, sports or more traditional shallow to deep?

The only part of my pool that is 5.5ft is directly over the drains. The majority of my pool is 4ft to 5ft when I go around with my wooden measuring stick. It is only 3.5ft right bottom of steps

 

[usfbull]

Ok, so it sounds as if your pool starts sloping right away at 3.5'. Maybe that makes the sloping more subtle. I was also thinking the deepest part would be flat for a few feet but maybe that being sloped down the other 5.5' make the rest of the slope less noticeable. I wonder if an online too exists to put in dimensions and see the slope.

 

[bbqjosh]

We have a 30 ft swimming area so not much bigger and go 3.5 to 6 to 3.5. Seems fine with the slope. I had them flatten out the profile on the shallow part and then a steeper drop to the 6 ft. One benefit so far is brushing the pool from the ends towards the middle where the drains are located. I feel like brushing would be harder with trying to go all the way across to the deep end. Just my 2 cents.

 

[usfbull]

Do you have a sketch of your depths and slope? I think since we aren't going very deep it likely can be accomplished in either a sports pool or the more traditional shallow to deep.

Either way we are going 3.5' to 5.5' and would like a good portion of the pool in the 4' to 5' range. Just don't want a huge slope....just when you think you have everything figured out, ha!

 

[bbqjosh]

Do you have a sketch of your depths and slope? I think since we aren't going very deep it likely can be accomplished in either a sports pool or the more traditional shallow to deep.

Either way we are going 3.5' to 5.5' and would like a good portion of the pool in the 4' to 5' range. Just don't want a huge slope....just when you think you have everything figured out, ha!