New Pool and Spa Project

[jimbowrench]

Hi All,

My wife and I are about to embark on a new pool and spa project. We just purchased a new (to us) house and yard size and HOA approval for a pool and spa was a prerequisite for purchase. I think we have decided on a San Juan Fiberglass Oasis pool (17,950 gallon) and Royale spa (700 gallon).
Equipment wise the pool and spa will each have (standalone): Pentair NG heater, cartridge filter, and pump. Intellichlor salt generator for the pool and perhaps the spa. The pool will have an auto cover with provisions for a mesh cover for the winter. The spa will have a "hot tub" type cover for year-round use. Paver decking for both, spa will be slightly elevated from deck surface. LED lighting for both.
Considering swim jets for the pool. I plan on "over-sizing" the heater and SWG for the pool. I have had pretty good success with the Kreepy Krauly Great White suction cleaner, and will consider it again, but may consider a robot as well.
Considering deck jets, maybe with illumination as well.
I would like to know from the board is: First, is saltwater worth doing for a spa? Second, does anyone have experience with swim jets in a pool? Good/bad? Third, what other, "wish I would have thought of that" items should I consider?
I look forward to your responses!

Thanks,

Jim

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I would do a stand-alone, above ground hot tub instead of an in-ground spa. If you are looking for the "spa" to be a therapy/relaxation device, you get A LOT more jets and power from a hot tub than you will from an in-ground spa unless the spa is obsessively over-engineered.

I have a suction cleaner (Kreepy Krawly SandShark) and it's mediocre. I'm currently researching robots for a spring purchase. That said, you'll find a lot of "advice" on this forum to go with a robot. Since you're going to be bleeding cash in a pool build, you might as well do it now while the money is flowing

Gas heater is good. Pentair MasterTemp is a good model but the heater experts on this forum will tell you that the Raypak pool heaters are better built and easier to service than Pentair or Hayward. So you'll get a lot of advice to go with the Raypak.

Saltwater chlorination is great for the pool and, if you can find a hot tub that is designed for it too, then definitely go for it. Stay away from all of the "alternatives to chlorine" devices - ozone, UV, minerals, etc. If you think a hot tub is feasible, getting a UV or ozone system on that is not a deal breaker and probably has more benefit in that application than in a pool.

You'll also benefit greatly form having a variable speed pump on the pool. Pentair Intelliflo's are great pumps especially when you pair them with an automation system.

I'm sure more folks will be along soon with more advice.