New AGP on the way - plenty of questions

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doc307

Member
Mar 30, 2019
9
Georgia
I hope we did alright with this order. We ordered:
24'x48" Hampton round
Hayward S180T with 1.5HP Power-Flo Pump
Confer curve pool step
Foam cove
Floor pad
Hayward CL200 in line chlorinator
Aquabot pool rover plus robotic automatic pool cleaner
LED skimmer face plate light
slice valve
cleaning kit
25ga Uni-bead liner
wall foam
chemical kit

I need to check the chem kit for test strips etc.
I also need to order a timer - any suggestions?

We are looking to bury it approximately 24" but now I am trying to decide what to do with the filter as it will
be several inches taller than the side of the pool. We are going to build a deck around 1/3 of the pool.

I already have a small storage building in the back yard with a 100amp service so power is not an issue. We will
bring power from that panel. I also have water in the building so I think I will run a water line over next to the filter/pump
to make it easier if I need fresh water.

I have so many ideas running through my head about the deck, install etc. I am overlooking any common things?

Thanks in advance.
 
Just for starters, decide if you want the deck flush, under or above top rail of pool just for ease of liner replacement if and when needed. Not sure what your chem kit includes but you could have skipped that and if you keep make sure it does not have test strips, and if it does throw them away. Get a good drop test kit and household items like bleach for the sanitizer, All info in pool school section. As far as the pool cleaner, my experience with the pool rover is the Dolphin e10 is much better, I have both. Our deck is on 3 sides, I kind of wish I went all around, when it comes to putting the solar cover on its a pain since there is no way to mount a reel for it without improvising something home built that still looks good.
Speaking of solar cover, I see you did not list one, get one but don't get an expensive one, cheap ones last as long as the top of the line , 2 years? plus the heavier gauge ones are a pain to drag around. Intermatic makes a good outdoor timer, manual set with adjustable time pins or digital and Wion has a WifI one so you can set times through mobile app if you have WiFI at that area where timer will be.
Also pick up a ext. pole and a leaf net, I never used the skimmer net I also bought, more of a tennis racket.
 
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Doc,

Welcome to TFP! You'll get a lot of help with all your questions from experienced pool owners and experts in everything pool related here. One of the big advantages of getting advice here is none of it is coming from people that have something to sell. And if you get into a real problem or highly technical problem we have experts in everything pool here.

A suggestion that I'd have for you is to take some time for Pool School. It's in the link to the left. You'll learn a LOT about maintaining your pool and this will help you make some of the choices about your pool specifications. For example do you want a salt pool or a liquid chlorine sanitized pool. There are a lot of additional choices and many come down to personal preferences. People here can help give you the pro's and con's of each choice.

Good luck with your new pool and I hope you'll keep us posted as it progresses!

Chris
 
Being in southeast Georgia I didn't think I would need a solar cover. I have spent some time reading in the school and hope to use the local knowledge of my good friend as well. I see I have much to learn though. I walked around quite a bit today with a can of paint and painted the circle for the pool then messed around with the general deck location. It is hard to picture right now, I might use my business CAD system this week and see if I can come up with something.

I am just guessing right now but I'm thinking the deck should be just under the side rail. I am now trying to decide between Trex and regular treated decking. Oh the choices I have right now lol.
 
I found myself second guessing some decisions I made during and after the build, seems like there were draw backs and positives on many ideas. I am not familiar with warm climate states, must be nice!
But a cover should reduce evaporation and lower depletion rate of sanitary levels, if I worded that right.
The TREX idea sounds like a good plan, I know on the exposed walking portion of our deck that is not covered by the shelter, it fades slightly under the blazing sun after 2 years, I used Cabot Mahogany flame stain also.
Every couple years I redo it which takes some time . I heard that manufactured decking has really improved in the last few years whereas years ago there was a problem with it breaking down on certain brands.
 
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The pool arrived today. I can't wait to remove everything and start this project. I think I have decided to hard pipe my pump and filter away from the pool. I know I risk burning up the pump but if I do then I will purchase a better in ground pool pump for this pool if I need.

My wife and I have spent countless hours reading and trying to decide where to put everything. I think we have some good plans and we will be starting this weekend.
 
Doc,

I wouldn't expect this would cause the pump to burn up. Many, if not most in ground pools have the equipment well away from the pool. You just need to have the plumbing sized right for the flow rates and make sure you have the right pump hp. We have a couple of experts in that area right here. Do you have an installer you are working with or are you doing the whole thing yourself? If so , can you show us the plans and a photo of the area? That will be helpful in getting the expert advice. Also, it would be a good idea to get an analysis of your fill water and post the results.

Chris
 
I WOULD hard plumb it right away. Make sure you put valves right under the skimmer and return so you can shut the flow of water when you need to work on the equipment. Also plan ahead and put in unions so you can remove each piece of equipment as needed down the road.

Next plan on overflow from the skimmer area. What I did was dig down about 3" by the pool wall and out as far as I thought water might splash out from the skimmer due to hard play or overflow from rain (or left on hose :roll:) Put put gravel in that area for drainage AND put a couple of large stepping stones over that area. I made sure they were slanted away from the pool wall so the water would flow away from the pool when the water splashed out of the skimmer. This will help keep any sand from washing out from under the pool.

Kim:kim:
 
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Expanding on Kim's post a couple of hours ago, I would definitely plan ahead concerning the plumbing. Valves are critical for sure. But I didn't think about the PVC pipe between the pump and filter. See, my pool installer did not allow any method for me to disconnect the 1.5" PVC from the pump into the filter. Not very important during the spring, summer and fall but when it came time to close up my pool, it became a big deal.

So I was forced to cut it with a hacksaw in late October when I had to disconnect the pump to store it in my garage for the winter. But to reconnect the pipe this spring, I got a PVC flexible coupling that uses regular hose clamps (similar to the one I show in the link below).

Now all I need to do it loosen the hose clamps and VOOLAH!! Pump removed and whisked away. And if the thing starts to leak, it only cost $4 down at my local Home Depot. For that price, I can replace the darned thing every single spring.


1-1/2" PVC Flexible Pipe Coupling with Clamp 82978636 - MSC
 

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I have inboxed most of it and started checking to make sure everything is here.
I just realized there is only one return so I'm thinking about adding one during construction since it will be easier.

I just tested my fill water:
PH 7.8
CL 1
BR 2
FL 1.5
CC 0
TC 1.5
CH 125ppm
TA 130
 
I am going ahead and sharing a set of links I put together for new pool owners. It has a link to what we use for what, how to figure out how much to use (pool Math-LOVE IT!), and what levels each on should be.

Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule

Pool School - Recommended Levels

Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

Trouble Free Pool

Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

Don't bother doing the BR as that is Bromine and your water does not have it as it has to be added. Also don't bother doing the drop FC (free chlorine) test as it is more of a "is there any chlorine in the water?" kind of test. The powder test is much better and accurate .

I wish my hubby would feel comfortable with adding another return but sigh he is not so it is one return for me. I make it work.

Kim:kim:
 
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Hi there!
We buried our pool a little over 24" deep and out pump/filter are quite a ways away from the pool, we've had no issue with it at all.
We also went ahead and "hard" plumbed everything with PVC right away, a decision that was WELL worth it. The only thing I regret is that we didn't go ahead and add a second return in the beginning. Would definitely love to have a return near our steps to help battle the algae there. We don't close our pool in the winter, and in southern GA, you could probably get away with that as well.
Also, I have never once wished for a solar cover, quite the opposite if such a thing existed. Come August, it's like swimming in bath water. ;)

Anyway, congratulations on your new pool! If you can, we'd love to see some pictures as you build!
 
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