I live in Seattle area and I've always wanted a pool as an adult. I could easily spend hours a day swimming even as an adult, and I find myself in the ocean or hotel pool whenever I'm traveling. I had an above ground pool as a kid and I was responsible for the maintenance tasks, so I am aware of the work involved.
I finally ordered a 24' round above ground resin pool (PoolFactory Saltwater Aurora with resin composite walls) because the wife wanted a saltwater pool, and having swam in both chlorine and salt water pools, I agree with her. Obviously I spent a lot more for a full resin pool than a hybrid, but it still won't be anywhere close to what I would have spent doing a build in pool in my area. My plan it to partially bury the pool to the manufacturer's supported 2 feet depth, and also dig a deep end up to 5' or 6' deep (with expandable liner) as I have unlimited access to a friend's Kubota tractor with excavator/shovel attachments plus trailer for dirt haul-away.
Of course, I need to purchase an automated salt chlorinator, a pump, and a cartridge filter. Originally I was going to go all Hayward and ordered a AQ-TROL-HP , but I just read in the sticky thread that Hayward chlorinators require a lot of service. So then I started looking at Pentair or Aquacal, because I also plan on buying a heat pump (which I'm also having trouble sizing). I found out that Pentair and Hayward won't warranty homeowner installed equipment from their pro line, but when I call local dealers for quotes I'm literally being charged twice the price from reputable webstores for parts and that is before installation.
I don't know what to do. Normally I ALWAYS do projects like this in the off season but excavating in Seattle's fall or winter is a bad idea. Anyone have any suggestions for staying sane through this whole process? Brands they recommend? What would you size heat pump wise for a 24' round pool with a 6' deep end?
I finally ordered a 24' round above ground resin pool (PoolFactory Saltwater Aurora with resin composite walls) because the wife wanted a saltwater pool, and having swam in both chlorine and salt water pools, I agree with her. Obviously I spent a lot more for a full resin pool than a hybrid, but it still won't be anywhere close to what I would have spent doing a build in pool in my area. My plan it to partially bury the pool to the manufacturer's supported 2 feet depth, and also dig a deep end up to 5' or 6' deep (with expandable liner) as I have unlimited access to a friend's Kubota tractor with excavator/shovel attachments plus trailer for dirt haul-away.
Of course, I need to purchase an automated salt chlorinator, a pump, and a cartridge filter. Originally I was going to go all Hayward and ordered a AQ-TROL-HP , but I just read in the sticky thread that Hayward chlorinators require a lot of service. So then I started looking at Pentair or Aquacal, because I also plan on buying a heat pump (which I'm also having trouble sizing). I found out that Pentair and Hayward won't warranty homeowner installed equipment from their pro line, but when I call local dealers for quotes I'm literally being charged twice the price from reputable webstores for parts and that is before installation.
I don't know what to do. Normally I ALWAYS do projects like this in the off season but excavating in Seattle's fall or winter is a bad idea. Anyone have any suggestions for staying sane through this whole process? Brands they recommend? What would you size heat pump wise for a 24' round pool with a 6' deep end?
