New Construction Design Feedback

[lapswim]

Hello everyone! This is my first post as a new pool owner (to-be) for a new home construction project.

I currently have a design that was made by our architect and then the design put into construction plans with the assistance with a national pool builder (Platinum Pools by Cody)
Overall the pool seems to fit what we want to accomplish which is:
- lap swimming
- typical pool games (volleyball, basketball)

My question is more about the equipment selected which is in the drawings I've attached. Currently setup for Jandy equipment. Is the pump sized well? It's a cartridge setup, but wondering if Sand is better?

During construction, we have the option to plumb for gas for a future heater OR I've been considering an electric heat pump/chiller type option so we can use the lap pool for a longer season in Houston, TX. It seems that the gas heater works fast but is much more expensive long term while heat pumps seem to have mixed experiences from talking to the pool companies. Not sure if its a lack of experience or selection of equipment? Would like feedback on that as well.
Why are we waiting to put the heating option after construction? Because the builder puts a markup on it and I'm trying to go as barebones during the initial install and just plumb for things we can add on without the mark up.

My hope is to use ultimately have the automation setup using the Pool Attendant by Poolside. I'm a complete newb to pool setup so I've been trying to read as much as I can through the pool school but I'd like to try and set this pool up with as little re-work.

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
Very interesting design. I like the lap pool concept.
Suggestion is to make the minimum dept 4ft rather than 3.5Ft. Especially since the other half of the VB court is in 5ft of water.

What is the prevailing wind direction? If unknown - Suggestion is to put skimmers on the long wall and put all returns on the opposing wall including the area where the steps are. This way, all water is pushed to the skimmers. Since that long wall is over 60 ft, consider putting a 3rd skimmer. Also it is recommended that each skimmer be an independent line back to the equipment pad. This provides better control of skimming action. The increase cost of PVC is minimal.

Smart to plumb an additional line for either a suction side or pressure side cleaner. You may not need it if you go with a robot cleaner but it is good to have that option.

Equipment.
Jandy is fine. Pentair and Hayward are the 2 other major suppliers.

Suggestion to increase to 2.7hp pump from the 1.85hp. You will be able to run the larger HP pump at a lower speed and move the same amount of water. The advantages are the pump at low speed uses less energy and is also quieter.

The 580 sq ft cartridge filter is excellent.

We do not endorse the use of puck chlorinators. Suggestion is to use liquid chlorine or a saltwater chlorine generator (SWCG). In the long run either will provide better sanitation and clearer water.

You will not have any automation except for the IQ system on the pump. That is basic automation and may be all you need since you have no water features, spa, etc. I am not familiar with Pool Attendent. However, it is recommended to test your own pool water using a good test kit . See
Test Kits Compared

A natural gas heater is the most common in Houston, it does heat more quickly and would be ideal if you had a spa because you want that to be heated fast. A heat pump is a good choice, just understand it will take a long time to raise the temperature. For example, I had a 15k gal pool in Houston (Katy) and it took 10 hrs with a 400k btu natural gas heater to raise the temperature. So expect a longer duration for your nearly 23k gal pool.

Having 1 light on the far left looks ok with the low voltage lights in the opposite end and in the entrance area.

Please read
Pool Care Basics

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

On a side note, the steel engineering firm my customers use require a surcharge when the setback to building foundation is less than the depth of the pool.

 

[pjt]

Is the pump sized well?

Upsize to a 2.7 or 3 HP VSP.

It's a cartridge setup, but wondering if Sand is better?

I would suggest a large cartridge filter. Sand would be fine though.

I've been considering an electric heat pump/chiller type option so we can use the lap pool for a longer season

I have this and it works well. The chill function is fantastic during our hot summers. Make sure you have a bypass installed regardless of gas heater or HP.

Houston, TX

Update your profile to show this.

Other suggestions:
-Go with 4' as the shallowest depth for your pool. 3.5' is just a little too shallow. I have a 4'-5'-4' pool and it's excellent.
-Make sure all the lights point away from the house or main seating area. I wouldn't have a light at the end of the swim lane since you'd be staring at the glare while lap swimming.
-Delete the tab feeder and get a SWCG rated for at least twice the volume of the pool
-Main drain is optional
-What kind of cleaner are you planning on? I'd suggest a robot.

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[agjr85]

Plat. Pools pride themselves on having "in-house" plumbing crews. Surprised they are doing a lower HP pump, guessing the no spa and water features.
If you ask for the salt water generator, they may push you to alternatives, very rare to find a PB in Houston that promotes SWG off the bat.

As for your gas heater, that's pretty much the standard in Houston. Given you have no spa then I would steer more towards the scenario of how often you plan to heat up the pool? Do you plan to use it as early as March/April? As for doing it after, how much are you going to save after you factor in plumbing / setup. If you dont' make sure to leave enough space on the equipment pad (ensure you have the pad poured as if you were doing a gas heater).

 

[lapswim]

Welcome to TFP.
Very interesting design. I like the lap pool concept.
Suggestion is to make the minimum dept 4ft rather than 3.5Ft. Especially since the other half of the VB court is in 5ft of water.

Thanks for taking the time to explain your thoughts. I will look to make the depth adjustment to 4'.

What is the prevailing wind direction? If unknown - Suggestion is to put skimmers on the long wall and put all returns on the opposing wall including the area where the steps are. This way, all water is pushed to the skimmers. Since that long wall is over 60 ft, consider putting a 3rd skimmer. Also it is recommended that each skimmer be an independent line back to the equipment pad. This provides better control of skimming action. The increase cost of PVC is minimal.

Checking weather sites, it looks like we mostly get S/SE wind, so am I understanding correctly that if that 60' long wall is on the E or SE side of the lot then that is where the skimmers should be?

Smart to plumb an additional line for either a suction side or pressure side cleaner. You may not need it if you go with a robot cleaner but it is good to have that option.

No idea on cleaning solutions yet, suggestions are welcome.

Equipment.
Jandy is fine. Pentair and Hayward are the 2 other major suppliers.

Suggestion to increase to 2.7hp pump from the 1.85hp. You will be able to run the larger HP pump at a lower speed and move the same amount of water. The advantages are the pump at low speed uses less energy and is also quieter.

Noted, will see what the cost differences are with our PB.

The 580 sq ft cartridge filter is excellent.

We do not endorse the use of puck chlorinators. Suggestion is to use liquid chlorine or a saltwater chlorine generator (SWCG). In the long run either will provide better sanitation and clearer water.

Any suggestions on SWCG? I was looking at the Jandy Aquapure option or the CircuPool Edge40 or RL45+?

You will not have any automation except for the IQ system on the pump. That is basic automation and may be all you need since you have no water features, spa, etc. I am not familiar with Pool Attendent. However, it is recommended to test your own pool water using a good test kit . See
Test Kits Compared

Will get the Taylor kits from the link

A natural gas heater is the most common in Houston, it does heat more quickly and would be ideal if you had a spa because you want that to be heated fast. A heat pump is a good choice, just understand it will take a long time to raise the temperature. For example, I had a 15k gal pool in Houston (Katy) and it took 10 hrs with a 400k btu natural gas heater to raise the temperature. So expect a longer duration for your nearly 23k gal pool.

Was looking into the the Aquacal sq200r for our setup..any experience with them?

Having 1 light on the far left looks ok with the low voltage lights in the opposite end and in the entrance area.

Please read
Pool Care Basics

 

[lapswim]

Upsize to a 2.7 or 3 HP VSP.

Thanks I'm looking into that.

I would suggest a large cartridge filter. Sand would be fine though.

We're currently spec'd for the 580 cartridge filter from Jandy but was wondering if sand would be better or less maintenance?

I have this and it works well. The chill function is fantastic during our hot summers. Make sure you have a bypass installed regardless of gas heater or HP.

Was using the Aquacal calculator and they mention the SQ200r, but not sure if it's just a marketing (buy the biggest) scheme. Do you have a local provider of the heat pump who is more familiar, or do you have any suggestions on how best to size and where to source?

Update your profile to show this.

Other suggestions:
-Go with 4' as the shallowest depth for your pool. 3.5' is just a little too shallow. I have a 4'-5'-4' pool and it's excellent.
-Make sure all the lights point away from the house or main seating area. I wouldn't have a light at the end of the swim lane since you'd be staring at the glare while lap swimming.
-Delete the tab feeder and get a SWCG rated for at least twice the volume of the pool
-Main drain is optional
-What kind of cleaner are you planning on? I'd suggest a robot.

Construction Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[lapswim]

Plat. Pools pride themselves on having "in-house" plumbing crews. Surprised they are doing a lower HP pump, guessing the no spa and water features.
If you ask for the salt water generator, they may push you to alternatives, very rare to find a PB in Houston that promotes SWG off the bat.

As for your gas heater, that's pretty much the standard in Houston. Given you have no spa then I would steer more towards the scenario of how often you plan to heat up the pool?

I hope to use the lap pool from mid March to early November if possible.

Do you plan to use it as early as March/April? As for doing it after, how much are you going to save after you factor in plumbing / setup. If you dont' make sure to leave enough space on the equipment pad (ensure you have the pad poured as if you were doing a gas heater).

In terms of savings by waiting, it's about 20%. So things like a heatpump or automation, I was hoping to add-on afterwards. Yes I do want to make sure the power, pad and spacing is available for a selected heat pump to be a drop-in.

 

[pjt]

Will get the Taylor kits from the link

TF-Pro Salt is the best and most cost effective option.

Was looking into the the Aquacal sq200r for our setup..any experience with them?

I have an AquaCal. It works fine, but have had some problems along the way. Company service and support has been outstanding.

We're currently spec'd for the 580 cartridge filter from Jandy but was wondering if sand would be better or less maintenance?

Large cartridge filter is hard to beat. Maintenance is easy and infrequent.

 

[lapswim]

I have an AquaCal. It works fine, but have had some problems along the way. Company service and support has been outstanding.

Can I ask what issues you had?

 

[HermanTX]

Any suggestions on SWCG? I was looking at the Jandy Aquapure option or the CircuPool Edge40 or RL45+?

If you are staying with the IQ pump controller then go with a CiraPool RJ + series. A SWcG should be rated 2x your pool volume or larger.

The only reason to consider a Jandy aqua pure 1400 is if you plan to add the full AquaLink RS automation system. I had the AP1400 and it served me well but it is not the best on the market nor the cheapest.
Starting fresh I would go to Pentair for all equipment but you may not have that option.

Jandy pumps and filters are fine. Just their SWCG could use some improvements.

 

[HermanTX]

Checking weather sites, it looks like we mostly get S/SE wind, so am I understanding correctly that if that 60' long wall is on the E or SE side of the lot then that is where the skimmers should be?

Given your layout, yes I would put the skimmers on the long wall and returns on opposite side.

 

[HermanTX]

No idea on cleaning solutions yet, suggestions are welcome.

Given your layout, I can see a cleaner with a hose getting trapped in the either of those pockets where you do your turns. Or it may not even reach to those far corners. A battery operated cleaner from Aiper or Aquasense Beat Bot may be best. You can search the forum.

 

[pjt]

Low pressure faults. They weren't able to repair, so they replaced the HP with a brand new one.