New DIY pool build - NW Austin, TX (filled!)

[Newdude]

It feels MUCH larger than it had when we painted the outline.

Depth makes a huge perception difference and it will go back to how it felt painted once it's full, because it will mostly appear 2D again. We had a same size tent next to the pool a couple times and the tent seemed ginormous while the pool seemed Meh, with an even number of people in each.

Here's 2 comparison pics.
4 dudes look like ants :



Pool seems normal-y :

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Typically the painted line was to demonstrate water surface, the walls and floor will shrink some as the steel cage and Shotcrete are installed.

 

[kimkats]

Go out and measure it. Is it long, wide, deep enough? Add about 8" for the steel, shell, and plaster. Water depth should from from the floor to the middle of the skimmer opening.

 

[seanmcgary]

Go out and measure it. Is it long, wide, deep enough? Add about 8" for the steel, shell, and plaster. Water depth should from from the floor to the middle of the skimmer opening.

Measured it this morning and it all checks out as correct! Really impressed that they nailed all of the dimensions on the first go.

 

[seanmcgary]

Almost the end of week 3 and the crew is done with: forms & rebar for the pool and retaining wall and plumbing.

I caught it too late, but it looks like the plumbers read the plans for the sundeck incorrectly. We had umbrella holders specified but instead they added some lines for what I imagine could be bubblers. Talked with my wife about it and we're totally fine with this happy accident. To run them as bubblers, is there anything special I would need?

They also seemingly forgot the conduit for the lights on the sundeck, so Im just going to run those this weekend since I already have a bunch of conduit laying around...



Ive been able to identify all of the lines installed except two. The pool return jets are a loop, so those were easy to find, but theres some similar looking ones near the jets but lower on the wall:



Similarly there are these in the spa; are they simply returns that are lower or something else (the jets are hooked up to work with the blower):



Up next is to get this thing inspected and then it should be ready for gunite. I need to make some modifications to the retaining wall now that Ive been able to get some accurate measurements on where the stairs are going to go in the hill side. In that last photo you can see they dug into the hill pretty far...about 3x as far as they needed but thats completely my fault for not providing accurate measurements.


Here's some more photos!

 

[kimkats]

To run them as bubblers, is there anything special I would need?

The bubblers. Try to find some that also light up. Have them set up were you can turn on the lights without running the bubblers. You will also want they to have their own valves so you can control their height.

theres some similar looking ones near the jets but lower on the wall:

I cannot tell what they are connected to. Take a pic that includes the pipes sticking out and where they go by the skimmer.

 

[seanmcgary]

The bubblers. Try to find some that also light up. Have them set up were you can turn on the lights without running the bubblers. You will also want they to have their own valves so you can control their height.

Ooo I will definitely look into the light up ones! Ive got two Pentair Microbrites going on the wall of the sundeck, but I love the idea of MORE lights. They currently have their own run back to the equipment pad, so they can be controlled separately.

I cannot tell what they are connected to. Take a pic that includes the pipes sticking out and where they go by the skimmer.

Right now, nothing lol. Each of these mystery "returns" (?) have their own dedicated run back to the pad. So thats 2 for the pool and one for the spa.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

“What are these for?” Possibly suction lines for the bubbler returns.

 

[seanmcgary]

“What are these for?” Possibly suction lines for the bubbler returns.

Would I want to actually use them for the bubblers if I plan on using just a single pump? Or should I look into adding a dedicated pump? I suppose I could use them and tie them into the IntelliFlowV3 I have but on an automated valve that opens only when the bubblers are on...

If those are suction lines for the bubblers...I wonder if this single line is a suction line for a pressure side vacuum (even though I said not to include one since we're gonna go with a robot )

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Are there return lines plumbed on the reef step?
Your builder may have them being used as a way to have water movement on the step if no return lines are plumbed.

 

[KevMo]

Would I want to actually use them for the bubblers if I plan on using just a single pump? Or should I look into adding a dedicated pump? I suppose I could use them and tie them into the IntelliFlowV3 I have but on an automated valve that opens only when the bubblers are on...

The question about whether you want a separate pump for the bubblers depends on whether you want to run the bubblers in spa mode. If using the main filter pump to run them in pool mode, then the typical way they are plumbed after the pool/spa return valve would preclude using them in spa mode. A separate pump would also allow you to send more water to them and get higher plumes on the bubblers. If you have small children thst would like to play in the bubblers then you may want them in spa mode, but it will cost an extra pump and more pipes for that pump's suction.

 

[seanmcgary]

Are there return lines plumbed on the reef step?
Your builder may have them being used as a way to have water movement on the step if no return lines are plumbed.

The closest one would be the one in the top center of this image. There are going to be 2 steps down from the sundeck to the deeper end. Otherwise, no returns on the sun deck itself other than the bubblers

The question about whether you want a separate pump for the bubblers depends on whether you want to run the bubblers in spa mode. If using the main filter pump to run them in pool mode, then the typical way they are plumbed after the pool/spa return valve would preclude using them in spa mode. A separate pump would also allow you to send more water to them and get higher plumes on the bubblers. If you have small children thst would like to play in the bubblers then you may want them in spa mode, but it will cost an extra pump and more pipes for that pump's suction.

This is some good thinking. We've got a 15 month old daughter, so I imagine if we're turning on the bubblers its while the pool is in "pool" mode and not "spa" mode since we likely wouldnt be using the spa at that time.

 

[HermanTX]

If those are suction lines for the bubblers...I wonder if this single line is a suction line for a pressure side vacuum (even though I said not to include one since we're gonna go with a robot

A pipe outlet at that height is usually the plumbing for either a pressure side cleaner or a suction side cleaner. The latter would be preferred as it uses the main filter pump. Even though you plan to use a robot cleaner, having a plumbing line for suction side cleaner is a great back up if you ever need to manually vacuum the pool or wish to purchase a suction side cleaner. It is cheap insurance.

 

[HermanTX]

“What are these for?” Possibly suction lines for the bubbler returns.View attachment 547382

This clearly looks like wall suction drains. Normally they would be connected to a water feature pump. It would be not needed just for 2 bubblers as they can run off your main filter pump. If you had multiple water features, then the bubblers could be added to that dedicated pump.

It may be helpful to add the description of your setup to your Signature, even though not complete, add what you know as this will help answer some of these questions and you won't need to repeat it in future posts.

 

[seanmcgary]

This clearly looks like wall suction drains. Normally they would be connected to a water feature pump. It would be not needed just for 2 bubblers as they can run off your main filter pump. If you had multiple water features, then the bubblers could be added to that dedicated pump.

What would you recommend I do with them since the bubblers can be powered by the main pump? Is it best to put them on a manual valve with the rest of the suction lines, or just leave them capped at the equipment pad and then hook them up later if I need them? I figure leaving them in place just in case is better than ripping out the plumbing before shotcrete arrives.

It may be helpful to add the description of your setup to your Signature, even though not complete, add what you know as this will help answer some of these questions and you won't need to repeat it in future posts.

Done and done!

 

[HermanTX]

What would you recommend I do with them since the bubblers can be powered by the main pump? Is it best to put them on a manual valve with the rest of the suction lines, or just leave them capped at the equipment pad and then hook them up later if I need them? I figure leaving them in place just in case is better than ripping out the plumbing before shotcrete arrives.

The lines appear to all gather underneath one of the skimmers but all are independent. I can make out only 2 suction lines at the pad marked Deep Skimmer and Shallow skimmer. You may want to clearly mark the deep main drain suction line and the wall drain suction line at the pad.
I would connect all to the pool suction lines to the pump and ensure each has a Jandy type diverter valve on each suction line to control the suction of each. Using the line is better than leaving it empty. Also, you may want to verify with the PB as maybe he has plans to add a 2nd pump. This is the importance of asking the PB for a plumbing design so it is clear what should be set up.

You should have a Jandy type 3-way valve that will separate the pool suction from the spa suction. That 3 way valve should have a Valve actuator on it for automation control between pool and spa modes.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

With no returns on the reef step possibly the bubblers are plumbed on the main pump.
Have seen this done before and was not impressed with the results of not being able to move water in a specific direction.

 

[seanmcgary]

The lines appear to all gather underneath one of the skimmers but all are independent. I can make out only 2 suction lines at the pad marked Deep Skimmer and Shallow skimmer. You may want to clearly mark the deep main drain suction line and the wall drain suction line at the pad.
I would connect all to the pool suction lines to the pump and ensure each has a Jandy type diverter valve on each suction line to control the suction of each. Using the line is better than leaving it empty.

You should have a Jandy type 3-way valve that will separate the pool suction from the spa suction. That 3 way valve should have a Valve actuator on it for automation control between pool and spa modes.

So the pool has at least 4 suction lines (all plumbed separately): 2 skimmers and the main drain on the pool and a drain for the spa. 5 if you count the "assumed/mystery" pair at the deep end by the spa that could be dedicated for the bubblers.

I'll need to get an additional valve, but my plan is to have a valve for each suction line, all going to a 3-way (automated) valve to split between "spa" and "pool" mode.

Also, you may want to verify with the PB as maybe he has plans to add a 2nd pump. This is the importance of asking the PB for a plumbing design so it is clear what should be set up.

In this case, Im kinda the pool builder since this is a BYOP/DIY type build. I sent a message to the guys that did my plumbing to verify their intent for that line since it wasn't in the original plans.

With no returns on the reef step possibly the bubblers are plumbed on the main pump.
Have seen this done before and was not impressed with the results of not being able to move water in a specific direction.

Whats the best setup for a reef/sundeck? I could add 1 jet just in the middle of the sundeck or add 2 to circulate water better....

Something like this:

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

This is a picture of a 40’ X 7’ reef step with 3 return lines.
I would recommend a minimum of two return lines with your size of reef step.

 

[HermanTX]

So the pool has at least 4 suction lines (all plumbed separately): 2 skimmers and the main drain on the pool and a drain for the spa. 5 if you count the "assumed/mystery" pair at the deep end by the spa that could be dedicated for the bubblers.

I'll need to get an additional valve, but my plan is to have a valve for each suction line, all going to a 3-way (automated) valve to split between "spa" and "pool" mode.

Great. Ensure you purchase the covers for the added wall drains to match the pool main drain.

In this case, Im kinda the pool builder since this is a BYOP/DIY type build. I sent a message to the guys that did my plumbing to verify their intent for that line since it wasn't in the original plans.

The plumbers did a nice job of having all the lines neatly placed. As stated earlier mark all the lines at the pad and utilize this additional suction line rather than plugging it.