New Build South Houston Area

[Cruisernutt]

Hello TFP,
We are currently working through the process of a new pool build (our first) in the south Houston area. We have gotten multiple bids and have narrowed it down to two builders. Both are reputable PB that have been around for several decades. You can tell by the approach and equipment that one builder has a tried and true system that does not push the newest technology, while the other has specified more up to date equipment (based on my limited reading here on TFP and the interweb). While both designs are similar, we like the design of the builder with more basic controls. In addition, it was designed to maximize the area with as much pool as possible. (aerial easements etc.) We are working hard to keep the build budget from creeping up and feel that we would rather maximize size vs. upgraded equipment. I tried to pull the specs from both quotes and put them into a side to side document to compare the two. I would appreciate the input and wisdom of the board regarding the two control systems quoted. Thanks in advance for your constructive (pun intended) feedback!

 

[ajw22]

So let's just talk about PB#2. You don't have a spa or a heater or chiller so you don't need a lot of automation control.

• Pump - Get a VS pump not the SS pump proposed
• Filter - large cartridge filter is good
• Dual time clocks controlling pump run time and what else? With a VS pump it has it's own control panel and you can delete at least one timer. What model timers?
• Overflow system is recommended. It is simply a pipe connected to a hole in the top of a skimmer. Should not add much to expense but will be very handy with the big Texas rains storms you get.
• Autofill - up to you. You get lots of evaporation in Texas and will be adding water often to the pool
• Rainbow automatic chlorinator - You cannot use tablets in an automatic chlorinator, especially in Texas. Every tablet adds CYA to the water which accumulates. In a matter of months you will have too high a CYA level to keep the water clear. The only way to reduce CYA is draining water from the pool. Long term chlorination needs to be done using liquid chlorine or a SWG. Read How to Chlorinate Your Pool - Trouble Free Pool
• Ozone/UV - waste of money and unnecessary - read Ozone Systems - Further Reading and UV Systems - Further Reading
• Pentair Legend Platinum cleaner - is a marginal cleaner. You will probably end up buying a robot cleaner within a year or two. So put an electrical outlet near the pool that you can plugin a robot cleaner someday.

 

[Cruisernutt]

Thanks for the input, both builders had bid a spa, it is on sheet two of the pdf (i just looked on the PDF and its not readily apparent that it continues to the second sheet, my mistake)
I read through the quotes and did not see specific timer models noted. I will read through again and double check with the PB if not listed.
Autofill/drain was a question that we had already earmarked to discuss with both builders. It will go on the review list.
Noted on the robot- was also something that we had additional questions on.

Thanks for the input, please keep them coming while I do more reading!!

 

[mknauss]

If you are having an integrated spa, you will want automation. Not only to control the spa but also the spillway during normal operations. You do not want to constantly run the spillway from spa to pool or you will have continuous pH issues.
Also automation works really well with a VS pump and SWCG. Which you will want.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nutt,

Having a pool without automation works just fine.. Having a pool and spa without automation is just being penny wise and pound foolish.. You will be kicking yourself in the rear for as long as you own the pool/spa.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Ah, I didn't look for a page 2.

So you are going to have a Spa and a heater. So without automation you are going to have to walk to wherever the equipment is and turn some valves to get the spa going and turn on the heater. If you are in the spa and it is too hot or too cold you need to get out and drip over to the heater to adjust it. Then when done with the spa you need to go back to the equipment and turn some valves and turn the heater off.

With automation you can have a control panel by the spa to start, stop and adjust the spa and heater. When we want to use my spa I go to the control panel and press a few buttons and get the heater going and I can see when the spa is nice and warm for us to wander out and enjoy it.

If you don't add automation during the build it becomes more expensive and more complex to add later.

I think for what you are going to spend on the pool a few dollars more on automation will be well worth the investment. But it is your money I am spending.

 

[Cruisernutt]

I appreciate the honest feedback that this forum has provided. After more reading and additional discussion with the PB, here is what we have settled on. At this point, we feel that we have a balance between features and equipment that will keep us within in our budget. Would love to know that thoughts of the experts here!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nutt,

I am sure it is a typo, but the IntelliFlo is a 3 HP pump.. That is the pump you need.. Make sure it is NOT an IntelliFlo with the +SVRS option.

Everything looks good to me.. The EasyTouch is an older product but will work just fine in your set up.. The IntelliCenter is a better product, and is "about" the same price.

Make sure you get an overflow port.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Cruisernutt]

Today we officially started the build process with a fresh dig! Thanks for your help, and wish us well on this journey! Will post along the way!

 

[Cruisernutt]

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nutt,

Seems a tad shallow to me....

Jim R.

 

[Cruisernutt]

We are vertically challenged, so we didn’t want to get carried away with it being too deep.