First Timer with a bit of decision paralysis...

[BowserWowser]

We have decided on a 54" deep 27' round above ground pool. We have quotes and info from 2 reputable, local pool companies. I've done quite a bit of reading and asking questions about metal vs resin, liners, pumps...but I'm struggling with fully understanding and deciding on filter system, which is how I ended up here. One dealer wants to sell us a Frog mineral system, and the other suggests the SimpleSalt system, and after all of about 5 minutes on TFP, I'm now convinced they're both expensive garbage, so we're not getting either!

I'm torn between a cartridge filter vs a sand filter. We are NOT great DIY or maintenance type people, and having the pool will be a big chunk of regular maintenance either way, so I'm leaning toward sand, but then I read how sand is less effective at actually filtering...

Apparently, I also need to learn more about the possibility of salt. We're okay with higher upfront expense if it might make things easier in the long run, but I've gotten conflicting info about if we need an all-resin pool with a true salt system, and one of the guys said flat out that using a true salt system would shorten the life of our pool no matter which pool we buy.

I've been having such a hard time finding consistent, reliable info online because most people are trying to sell something.

Hoping to learn more so I can confidently make a decision and get our pool ordered so we can schedule installation!

 

[Shirker]

Pass on all the mineral, copper, silver, etc.

Love my saltwater system. Most people here feel that there is little risk of corrosion damage but check the warranty info if that little bit of insurance is important to you.

Sand is a great option but I personally like the cartridge filters.

 

[Mdragger88]

They’re telling u this because they want to sell u a system that requires u to buy special expensive potions that they sell. If u must rely on one of these dealers to install your pool just decline those systems & go with a pool that’s warranty isn’t affected by salt so you have choices . (There are plenty) Look up this info directly from the manufacturer as that is who u will deal with if u have a warranty issue anyway. You can always add a swg after your get your sea legs w/ maintaining the pool. Circupool swg’s are very diy friendly & self install doesn’t affect their warranty.
All metal exposed to water (be it rain or pool) will rust eventually so that makes the new models w/ all resin walls very appealing.
Regardless of which filter type u choose- get the biggest one u can fit in the space & afford so u won’t have to clean it as often.
If you have a place for your backwash to drain to then a sand filter shouldn’t be an issue. Cartridges must be pulled out & cleaned at least once per year also they will eventually need to be replaced. So take that into consideration.
Scroll down to 2.3

How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mknauss]

SimpleSalt

FYI -- that is NOT a salt based chlorinating system. It is a copper based system. That will eventually stain your pool (and make blonde hair green).

 

[BowserWowser]

I'm not looking for input on the Frog nor SimpleSalt. They are both off my list. I'm just trying to decide between sand and cartridge at this point. And possibly salt. And I edited the formatting on my original post to hopefully clear that up

One of the dealers here said we'd have to clean the cartridge of a filter 1-2 times per week, but what I'm reading in most places says it's typically much less frequent than that. If that's the case, I think we may go cartridge.

 

[magiteck]

I'm not looking for input on the Frog nor SimpleSalt. They are both off my list. I'm just trying to decide between sand and cartridge at this point. And possibly salt. And I edited the formatting on my original post to hopefully clear that up

One of the dealers here said we'd have to clean the cartridge of a filter 1-2 times per week, but what I'm reading in most places says it's typically much less frequent than that. If that's the case, I think we may go cartridge.

I have a 150 sq ft cartridge filter, and I clean it once at the end of our pool season. That’s like 4 months.

Weekly is a joke unless it’s SEVERELY undersized.

 

[Shirker]

One of the dealers here said we'd have to clean the cartridge of a filter 1-2 times per week

I clean mine twice per year. In the fall after the leaves finish dropping and there is no more pollen in the pool and again in the spring after the first big pollen drop. I am pretty confident I could get by with doing it just in the spring though.

 

[BowserWowser]

AWESOME. Then I am sold on a cartridge filter.
Man, I wish I'd found you guys months ago...my head has been spinning!
The dealers each just want to sell me whatever it is they carry (as an adult with bills to pay, I get it, but also an adult with bills to pay, no thanks!), and the installer I spoke with was pushing me to just purchase a pool ASAP due to supply shortages (so he recommended a pool from Leslie's that was over $10k - for just the pool with no equipment!).

Of course, now that I'm thinking salt, I'm also thinking resin walls, so I may not even end up buying a pool from any of the local companies I've spoken with and just head to thepoolfactory.com instead.

 

[magiteck]

AWESOME. Then I am sold on a cartridge filter.
Man, I wish I'd found you guys months ago...my head has been spinning!
The dealers each just want to sell me whatever it is they carry (as an adult with bills to pay, I get it, but also an adult with bills to pay, no thanks!), and the installer I spoke with was pushing me to just purchase a pool ASAP due to supply shortages (so he recommended a pool from Leslie's that was over $10k - for just the pool with no equipment!).

Of course, now that I'm thinking salt, I'm also thinking resin walls, so I may not even end up buying a pool from any of the local companies I've spoken with and just head to thepoolfactory.com instead.

Especially if you've already got an independent installer lined up, thepoolfactory isn't a bad idea. A year ago when I was in your boat, I was days away from buying an overpriced pool from a local store (with the "free bunded" frog system, of course), until I landed here and got schooled. My installer had a relationship with a local wholesaler so I just bought my equipment that way, but avoiding the pool store is always a plus whichever way you can do it.

And a shameless plug, I'll share what I posted as a "thank you" last Summer after making my TFP donation...

This site:
- By day 1, saved me the $225 I would have spent on a “Pool Frog” system, and lord knows what other chemicals a pool store would have talked me into.
- Gave me an incredible education as a new pool owner via “Pool School”. For free.
- Taught me how to test my water, and take control of my pool. Since initially shopping for a pool, I haven’t stepped foot into a pool store and have no intention to.

If you have the means, when things get settled with your new pool (I know how those costs can add up), consider becoming a supporter! Become a TFP Supporter

 

[Mdragger88]

When i was in the planning phase i had a pool factory pool & set up all picked out but I couldn’t find an installer to do the “big dig” so i had to settle w/ a local dealer that had a price I could afford. Instead of getting the “perma salt” system they include I was able to negotiate the wedding cake steps I wanted & since i got the biggest pool they sell I automatically got the biggest Sand filter. I had to compromise on being able to choose my pump & liner as they only offer one kind but it wasn’t worth it to me to pay double for a choice at the other dealer. I installed my swgs after they left.
If u can line up an independent installer the pool factory has lots of great options.

 

[magiteck]

If you're on the fence regarding a salt system, it's always something you can add later. Without it, you'll be adding liquid chlorine to your pool pretty much daily. That only takes a few minutes, but it is a daily "chore". I haven't been able to talk myself into the cost yet (since the inconvenience of adding chlorine to me is minimal), but you'll learn real quick I'm sure whether the SWG is worth it to you.

 

[BowserWowser]

If you're on the fence regarding a salt system, it's always something you can add later. Without it, you'll be adding liquid chlorine to your pool pretty much daily. That only takes a few minutes, but it is a daily "chore". I haven't been able to talk myself into the cost yet (since the inconvenience of adding chlorine to me is minimal), but you'll learn real quick I'm sure whether the SWG is worth it to you.

I think we're going to go ahead with the salt now. We were actually considering an inground pool, but it would have been bare minimum basics; opted to go above ground so we could stretch our budget for more upgrades and extras. I'd rather spend more upfront (and while we know we have the budget!) to reduce maintenance as much as possible.

I do have an installer lined up. They said to just let them know when we've got the pool ordered and when we expect it to arrive, and they'll add us to the schedule! It won't be installed until probably April since we are still having occasional freezing temps (forecast says high of 39 tomorrow).

Now I'm leaning toward the all-resin pool (Pool Wizard). Just searching online to see if this model is the only available option right now...

Thanks for all the help! I'm so excited to make a pool a reality, but also so nervous about making a dumb choice. High demand and restricted supply chain pressures don't help

 

[Casey]

Get the biggest filter you can afford to keep down on cleaning and break down. If you gave me a choice between a cart and sand filter, I'd go with the cart every day.

 

[zea3]

Be sure you ask the installer to hard plumb the pool and to add unions before and after the pump and the filter. Then when they need to be serviced or pulled for winter storage it will be much easier. Also have them plumb a waste line between the filter and pump. Waste line are very useful in case you need to drop the water level, such as when you winterize the pool.

 

[kellyfair]

I’m just stopping by to express my wholehearted support for SWG. I never want to be without one.

 

[magiteck]

Now I'm leaning toward the all-resin pool (Pool Wizard). Just searching online to see if this model is the only available option right now...

I believe this is the model that @kellyfair just had installed.

 

[kellyfair]

I believe this is the model that @kellyfair just had installed.

Yep, that’s the one! Mine is smaller, but oh so pretty!

 

[phonedave]

I have a 27' ABG in sort of kind of the same area as you (OK, North NJ, not quite the same season, but it's not TX or CA)

1) I run a DE filter - I backflush, clean, re lube, deep clean the tubes, etc at the end of every season. All I do during the season is bump bump bump (I also use a solar cover which keeps a lot of the junk out of the pool). Whatever filter you go with, the cover helps A LOT. I easily extend my swim season by 2 or 3 weeks each year with one, and there is a marked decrease in chemical usage, dirt in the pool, and water loss when I have it on the pool.

2) I love my 27', but it is a weird size. Clearly they make liners for it in the exact size. But most of the time you will find a limited amount. For covers and such you are going to find 26' or 28' covers and just have to deal with the overlap, or cut it down. And of course pay for that extra material that you do not need.

3) No mineral systems (but you already made that decision). I highly recommend a SWCG. Makes things a lot easier. This summer will be the fourth season running salt in my pool, and I have noticed no additional rusting, and none of my pool is resin - wall, rails, caps, etc. - all metal. Well the stairs are resin, so there is that. I have an aluminum solar cover reel that is constantly wet with pool water - no corrosion at all. It is aluminum, but still.

 

[BowserWowser]

Be sure you ask the installer to hard plumb the pool and to add unions before and after the pump and the filter. Then when they need to be serviced or pulled for winter storage it will be much easier. Also have them plumb a waste line between the filter and pump. Waste line are very useful in case you need to drop the water level, such as when you winterize the pool.

Oh boy...it's like you're speaking another language

 

[BowserWowser]

Yep, that’s the one! Mine is smaller, but oh so pretty!

YES, I have read through your ordering-turned-build thread! I hadn't previously paid enough attention to the details to understand that the "resin" pools sold everywhere still had metal walls

I did poke around online for quite a while yesterday and can't find any other AGPs that are 54" and resin walls, so I'm pretty sure I'm sold on this.

Question: I read that it arrived on a pallet. Is it wrapped well? We no longer have a garage (converted for my mom to move in with us), nor do we have a large shed or anything. The whole thing will have to stay outside until install, which could be a few weeks. Do you think it will be fine if we cover it with tarps and keep it on the driveway (to better avoid dirt/moisture)?