New pool build with Paramount in floor cleaning system (1 pump or 2 pump layout)

[Supa007]

Hi all,

Going to be a first time pool owner soon (hopefully)!

We’re looking at using the PCC2000 in floor cleaning system for our new pool build. Just want to know if there’s any reason other than size of pool (and therefore filtration requirements) why a 2 pump system is advantageous over a 1 pump design.

Pool builder sent over our design, but it’s based on a 2 pump system… Wouldn’t it be simpler (and therefore more economical) to utilise a 1 pump system?

Many thanks for any insights.

Kevin

 

[TheNameIsSam]

In floor cleaners aren't too popular around here, and (IMO) for good reason.

Of all the people I know with pools, only those with new pools (and new pop ups) like them. The rest dislike them because they are either broken or aren't very good at their job.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Sam is correct- few folks here except those in the West with a lot of sand storm type debris in the pool seem to get them most frequently. The systems seem techie to me. Some miss areas of the pools, others have broken down. And its very expensive for what it does, and what it doesn't.
A good electric robot is an excellent substitute at a fraction of cost.

I would suggest you look in that as an alternative if you want to save money and difficulty. If a robot fails you you get it repaired or replaced and you still come out far-far ahead monetarily.

Maddie

 

[bertschb]

I'm new here and a new pool owner so my opinion doesn't mean anything but I will offer my opinion anyway since it differs from what some folks here have shared...

Our six month old pool has an in floor cleaning system (IFCS) with a single 3HP pump and it works great! I haven't noticed any "dead spots" in our pool that don't get cleaned but then it's only been about six weeks since we moved in. One thing I really like about the IFCS is the ability to run it while adding chemicals. It really helps to distribute them quickly throughout the pool.

My pool does not have a spa or any other water features so a single 3HP pump works fine.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I forgot to mention that using an IFCS uses far more electricity and requires you to have the pump on, and often at higher speeds to run the IFCS.
A robot doesn't require the pump, nor a secondary pump to work. Just an outlet

Maddie

 

[Newdude]

Hey Supa !!!

With an unlimited budget, I might be all for IFCS as a secondary cleaning.

On a budget as i currently am, the $800 robot that does a better job is a no brainer and can be replaced 5 times at even the cheapest IFCS cost.

It more costly to buy and it's also more costly to use as the otherwise energy efficient pump will need to run much higher RPMs to satisfy the IFCS flow needs. Many ha e a dedicated pump for them too, which also costs a few times more than the robot.

Then there is down the road maintenance with many moving parts. I know what a pain it is to replace my sprinkler heads in the lawn. Sure its easy enough but its the time wasted thay i'd rather be doing anything else. I can only imagine how much more they'd suck if they were 3-8 foot below water.

If you do decide to go IFCS, make absolutely SURE they are plumbed in on a separate loop. (More $$$ again) Many are done as the primary return method without any regular returns (jets). Not only do they have to run higher RPMs at all times in use but if there is ever a problem the pool is down until they are fixed. Getting a service person to even answer the phone can be miserable these days, much less over and actually fixing something, so it probably won't be quick. But if your primary return method is a regular one with jets, you can just leave the IFCS off for as long as it takes.

I'm new here and a new pool owner so my opinion doesn't mean anything

Bullfeathers it doesn't !!!! You built your pool for you. (Well done BTW). We can always happily agree to disagree if need be and the OP can use it all to build *their* best pool for them. Chime in anytime, ESPECIALLY when it's something like this that you have/know. (keep us posted long term too. It will be great for future folks debating the age old topic)

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Without seeing the second page, I don't know what they are doing with the 2 pumps.

I am in the minority here but I like my IFCS. It does a good job with keeping the pool free of debris. I do get a couple of small areas where I tend to get some small dirt buildup, but overall, I am happy with how well it works. I run mine for 5 hours a day, and it does a good job at that. I will say I started noticing the debris pockets when I reduced the cleaning time. I did not notice any dead areas when the PB first turned it over and had the system running 24/7 @ 3000RPM!

I also have a robot, because I am attempting to be the laziest pool owner of all time, and I don't like to brush. Rosie does the brushing for me. I toss her in a couple of times a week, usually early on the weekends, and let her do her thing. She also misses spots just like the IFCS, so don't think that they are perfect either. In fact, I was a little disappointed the first time I ran my robot and all of those dead spots the IFCS misses, the ol' robot didn't get them very well either. From the way I hear everyone on here rave about their robots, I expected it to be spotless.

I will say, I installed the IFCS because I had never had any experience with one, and it is impossible to add after the fact. I think at this point in my life, with my kids the ages they are and all that we have going on, even not having to remember to throw the robot in is a blessing. The IFCS keeps it clean enough that I am not spending several hours a week with a vac and a leaf net. If I were in a later season of life, and I could toss in the robot every other morning while I sipped my coffee, I would probably not install the IFCS.

--Jeff

 

[Turbo1Ton]

One thing I should mention is, if you do keep the IFCS, ensure that your builder plumbs in dedicated returns and valves to isolate the IFCS, so that if you ever need to bypass the system for maintenance, or you are just tired of it, you can. My PB did not do that and fortunately, I was able to after the fact. Here is a rough drawing of how mine is plumbed so that I either go to the wall returns, or through the IFCS.

 

[Newdude]

Thanks Jeff !!! I was gonna tag you earlier but saw you active and knew you'd find your way here like a moth to a flame to share some +'s and other all around good thoughts.

 

[travelfeedsthesoul]

I have a A&A IFCS setup on a new pool we completed Aug 2021. We also wanted the IFCS for pretty much the exact same reasons as Jeff, nearly impossible to add afterwards, young kids, not much time, and my wife's "don't want to view any wire in the pool when looking out the windows" reason. I also like the fact that the IFCS does seem to help disperse the chemicals better and I don't worry too much about thoroughly brushing after adding chemicals (I do lightly brush still).

On several stormy/windy nights, we've walked outside in the morning and seen many leaves and debris on the pool floor (IFCS is off at night). When we check back later in the day, the floor is clean and all leaves/debris are no longer there. This is one thing I really enjoy, there is very little "eyesore". Keep in mind, our pool goes from a shallow end to a deep end, so the IFCS may work better than it would in a sports style pool (deep end in the middle). I don't know for sure, but I've read that here, where in sports style pools the IFCS doesn't work as well since the debris gets pushed from one side to the other and little gets caught in the drain.

Overall, I am very satisfied with the IFCS. It IS a new pool, so I'll see if my opinion changes.

FWIW, I am getting robot soon (on waitlist for Dolphin S200) as I have 2 dead spots from the IFCS that I hope the robot will pick up, and I also want to eliminate manual brushing of the walls and floor. I'm competing with Jeff (@Turbo1Ton ) to be the laziest pool owner of all time.

-Neil

 

[Turbo1Ton]

FWIW, I am getting robot soon (on waitlist for Dolphin S200) as I have 2 dead spots from the IFCS that I hope the robot will pick up, and I also want to eliminate manual brushing of the walls and floor. I'm competing with Jeff (@Turbo1Ton ) to be the laziest pool owner of all time.

--Jeff

 

[Turbo1Ton]

"don't want to view any wire in the pool when looking out the windows"

Neil, sounds like your wife is a lot like mine. We didn't really discuss that ahead of time, but I will say that about 6 months after our build was done, my wife made a random comment about that. Apparently she follows our PB on facebook (I don't have the facebook) and was seeing photos that the clients send later once all landscaping etc. is done. She is looking through her phone one night and just randomly quips "I am really glad we went with the in floor system. I see all these pretty pools on PB's facebook and the wire or hose from the robots or vacs just detracts from their beauty."

I tend to agree with her, and when I do throw the robot in, it is early in the mornings and I drag it out as soon as it is done. Usually by 9am at the latest. I try to not have it going during the same time the IFCS is, just to avoid creating any issues with the popups. I don't think the robot has enough driving force to damage a popup, and I have been known to run them simultaneously, but I like being able to walk out and see my pool as it should be, with no wires hanging out of it.

--Jeff

 

[travelfeedsthesoul]

Neil, sounds like your wife is a lot like mine. We didn't really discuss that ahead of time, but I will say that about 6 months after our build was done, my wife made a random comment about that. Apparently she follows our PB on facebook (I don't have the facebook) and was seeing photos that the clients send later once all landscaping etc. is done. She is looking through her phone one night and just randomly quips "I am really glad we went with the in floor system. I see all these pretty pools on PB's facebook and the wire or hose from the robots or vacs just detracts from their beauty."

I tend to agree with her, and when I do throw the robot in, it is early in the mornings and I drag it out as soon as it is done. Usually by 9am at the latest. I try to not have it going during the same time the IFCS is, just to avoid creating any issues with the popups. I don't think the robot has enough driving force to damage a popup, and I have been known to run them simultaneously, but I like being able to walk out and see my pool as it should be, with no wires hanging out of it.

--Jeff

Precisely...and I too, agree with the ladies.

Thanks. I think I'll follow your routine of throwing in the bot early and pulling it out soon after it's done cleaning.

 

[Mechanicman]

We completed our pool in August of 21 with an in floor cleaning system. I didn't want to have a cleaner roaming the pool with everyone swimming-it seemed like it would always find its way between my legs. I am very happy with the system, except for the suction for the in floor cleaner. We have the in floor cleaning on its own pump. The only suction is from one of the skimmers. With the amount of water the in floor cleaning uses when the pool gets slightly low we tend to suck air when the water level gets just slightly "low." I got around this by adding the Kona Labs water level. Our pool tends to stay very clean, and I have not vacuumed it at all. I do brush the walls once a week and very rarely push any debris from the floor to the main drain. Our pool builder also told us the in floor would help when we run the heater to help keep the temp more consistent rather than having "hot spots."

So far, if I had to do it over again I would choose the in floor cleaning again.