Help please, doughboy or radiant?

[buttalilly]

New here and need some advice.

I currently have a 15' round intex running on an intex SWG & intex sand filter model SF70110. Time to upgrade!

I am looking at an oval 16 x 32 either doughboy or radiant. Buying through Van Dorn Pools locally in MD. Here's my dilemma/questions.

I want to continue using the salt, and the area we will be putting it in is on a slope. The current intex is dug down about 2.5ft (with dirt NOT up against the walls). The new will likely either need dirt up against it, or a retaining wall, as it's about a 5.5' slope over about 15'.

Doughboy- shouldn't use salt, will need a retaining wall (++$$) BUT can have a deep end with no additional cost (stretch liner).

Radiant- CAN use salt, CAN be partially buried so need for retaining wall, but costs more overall. Deep end = custom liner, so must add roughly 8k for the total cost of the pool (can only go about 5' deep without paying for a custom liner). We will likely only go for the 5' stretch to avoid the higher cost of a custom liner.

Which pool would you advise on overall? Has anyone with a doughboy experienced any issues using SWG? My intex is only a year old, and has rust damage already. Are Radiant's all that they are cracked up to be? I like the look more than the doughboy.

Last question, both the SWG i have and the intex sand filter say they can handle a pool the size of the one I want to upgrade to (14k gallons is listed in both manuals, and requires a run time of about 8 hours for both). Can I really still use these, or would i also need to upgrade both for the larger pool?


Thanks!!!!!

 

[thebombardier]

I don't sell Doughboy directly, but I do deal with Hoffinger's other brands, Lomart and Embassy. They are extremely good pools with a long reputation here on Long Island for quality. There are Doughboys and Lomarts here standing 20 and 30+ years with their original 20 mil liners to boot. However, yes you will instantly void the warranty putting a SWG on.

In all reality I don't think there is any above ground pool you really should be using a SWG with, unless they specifically cover salt damage. Because unless you can guarantee no water will ever exit the pool onto the metal structure, you will be susceptible to salt damage. Steel rusts, aluminum corrodes. I'd definitely send Radiant an email directly and ask them specifically what their warranty policy is on SWGs.

 

[buttalilly]

Thanks for the info. I have heard that before (that you should never put a SWG on any above ground pool) so it's always baffled me that some above grounds are sold and advertised to be SW friendly.

I had not heard of the Lomart brand. I will look into that.

Do you think it would b a stretch to keep an intex sand pump on a pool this size?

 

[thebombardier]

It's really just how much the manufacturer is willing to put up with the trend. A local competitor to me makes their own pools in China and advertises lifetime prorated coverage against salt damage. They don't tell you you basically get nothing after 3 years.

Lomart is basically the Chevy to Doughboy's Cadillac. Mostly the same stuff, just slightly lesser features and quality and a different name. If you can get Doughboy, get Doughboy.

You'll definitely need a bigger filter than what's on your Intex. If I were selling you that pool I'd do at least a 150 lbs sand filter, probably a 200. You always want to get the biggest filter possible with sand so the maintenance is low.

 

[chipchip]

We have a Lomart, love it, great pool.

 

[RoxxW]

I have never made a warranty claim. If I get 15 years out of a pool, I will have got my monies worth. Besides, do you really want to put up with the paperwork chase and trying to make a claim. Warranties are over rated and people put to much stock in them.

This is my second salt pool and helped by father in law for years with his chlorine pool. No "corrosive" problems with the salt either.

 

[buttalilly]

Thanks for the input. Found another company that is promoting Fox Pools 'Ultimate Pool' that can also be fully buried if need be, and can withstand salt. Cheaper than the Radiant and uses steel instead of aluminum.

Seems there's just so many choices!!! Makes deciding impossible.

 

[RoxxW]

No problem. Everyone here can help and lend their opinions. This salt pool was a DIY project. See my signature for a link to some pictures. I used the Pool Factory for my current Salt pool. I bought in the winter at 40% off so good a deal.

Be careful with semi or full buries. If you have a high water table, your liner will "float" causing all kinds of headaches.

 

[Pv2]

these little intex pumps and filters are amazing workhorses for the money - if I were you I might try using it, keeping in the back of my mind I may need to upgrade to a larger system if it doesn't work.

I doubt the chlorine generator will work very well. I think most here recommend getting one rated for twice the size of the pool it is going on. you could keep your intex until it died and supplement with liquid.

if you are on top of chemistry and testing regularly with a good test kit you can actually get by with inferior equipment, but it obviously takes more effort.

 

[buttalilly]

We have a Lomart, love it, great pool.

Can you put a Lomart in the ground at all?

 

[thebombardier]

Depends on the model. I sell the Lomart Whispering Wind II, you can bury that thing up to the top rails if you do it right.