new member here, going through pool quotes at this time. Looking at a 15 by 30 pool 3 feet to 6 feet deep. Choices of equipment are pentair or jandy. Also, have a hot tub going in that is 8 by 8 and a sunshelf with bubbler. Can any experts here point me in the right direction for pool equipment. I do not want to be underpowered or have issues running pool cleaner. I am leaning towards cartridge filter, intelliflow variable pool pump, any suggestions would be appreciated since this is not my expertise. I just want clear water and good engineering with equipment that works well with good design. thanks in advance.
new pool build
- Thread starter nellyfsu
- Start date
Add a salt water chlorine generator. Don't get sucked into a Mineral Springs gadget, a chlorine pump, a tab feeder or ozone. Get the largest cartridge filter you can afford. Other equipment pros will tag on. Start reading through Pool School so that when this is ready to be filled you know what to do. Pay close attention to the test kits that are recommended so you can have that ready too. With SWG you'll do best with the TFPro test kit.
- Jan 7, 2012
- 2,123
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
3' is extremely shallow. I'd recommend 4' for the shallow end.
6' is awkward since it's too deep to stand, but too shallow for diving, etc. I'd suggest 5' or commit to a true deep end.
Get the biggest cartridge filter you can afford. I'd suggest the CCP520.
The IntelliFlo3 is the gold standard for pumps. Get the 3 HP version.
What kind of cleaner do you want? I'd recommend a robot, which works independently from your pump.
Get a SWCG rated for at least 2x your pool volume.
What kind of heater are you considering?
Automation?
Get all your equipment from the same manufacturer so that they communicate with each other correctly. Your first decision is whether you'll live in the Pentair or Jandy ecosystem.
man thanks so much. have not picked a pool builder yet. but they seem to all like different equipment. One likes hayward, one like kandy and one likes pentair. I am leaning towards pentair to be honest. As far as the pool do you think 4 feet to 5 feet would be okay. not much of a gradient but it does make sense what you are saying about depth. the pentair intellicenter automation system with electronic valves adn phone remote was offered. Also pentair intelliflo variable speed pump but doesnt give me HP in quote. Also, the other decision will be whether to put leathered travertine down or shell lock. The quote mentions pentair cartridge filter 150sqf
Im looking at pentair equipment. As far as the cleaner, I have no idea. The last time I had a pool was 8 years ago and Im sure the technology has changed since then. How do you measure how big of a SWCG I need. Pool will be 15 x 30 salt water pool. Automation is being quoted as a pentair intellicenter automation system with electric valves and phone remote. any advice is aprecitated
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,813
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Be sure to get specifics in the quote - especially manufacturers and model numbers of ALL equipment.
A 150 sq ft cartridge filter is way too small - not by Florida pool builders, but by anywhere else.
If you go with Pentair equipment, a Pentair CCP320 or CCP420 would be much more appropriate.
Also, consider adding a SWG with the build. We recommend a SWG rated for at least 2x your pool volume.
SWG's are rated by gallons. That rating is when running 24/7 at 100%. Hence why we recommend the at least 2x factor.
A 150 sq ft cartridge filter is way too small - not by Florida pool builders, but by anywhere else.
If you go with Pentair equipment, a Pentair CCP320 or CCP420 would be much more appropriate.
Also, consider adding a SWG with the build. We recommend a SWG rated for at least 2x your pool volume.
SWG's are rated by gallons. That rating is when running 24/7 at 100%. Hence why we recommend the at least 2x factor.
yes. I am not a guy that wants minimum standards. These florida pool builders love to put the minimum equipment in and charge the maximum price. lol. I really want the best equipment so that the pool maintains itself really well. thank you
as far as the salt water chlorinator would I go with a pentair since that is probably the equipment I will be putting in. What is the best pool equipment company out there. thanks
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,813
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Pentair, Hayward, Jandy are the big three.
It's a Ford vs Chevy kind of thing.
Personally, if I were building a new Pool I'd go with the first one. The Intellicenter seems to be a bit better than the rest and they also offer the largest residential SWG presently on the market.
Without automation I'd go with the second - only cause my present non-automated pool has used their pumps.
Wouldn't consider the third as they are absolutely not DIY friendly at all.
But again, my personal opinion. Others will have differing opinions.
It's a Ford vs Chevy kind of thing.
Personally, if I were building a new Pool I'd go with the first one. The Intellicenter seems to be a bit better than the rest and they also offer the largest residential SWG presently on the market.
Without automation I'd go with the second - only cause my present non-automated pool has used their pumps.
Wouldn't consider the third as they are absolutely not DIY friendly at all.
But again, my personal opinion. Others will have differing opinions.
so should i try and get the 520 filter and the ic60 SWG. I believe my pool will probably be 20 gallons but I don't want the swg to struggle
Also, will need a chiller/heater. I do have natural gas so not sure what to do there either
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,813
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Once you determine the min/max depth and the size, the PB should be able to estimate the gallons.
When we suggest depths, that is water depth - not to the coping. So to the middle of the waterline tile.
The larger the filter, the less you will need to clean it. Get the largest you can afford is usually the suggestion made here when someone is replacing a filter.
Will the pool be in a screen enclosure? If so, the CCP420 is plenty large enough for a 20k pool. But if the CCP520 is only slightly more money, ..... - you decide.
The Pentair SWG come in 20k, 40k or 60k sizes. For a 20k pool, the IC40 should suffice. But if the IC60 will be slightly more, the IC60 is the probably the better value as it is 50% larger than the IC40.
Even if you did get the IC40, once it's depleted it can easily be replaced with an IC60.
A 15' by 30' pool with an average depth of 4.5' (4 shallow, 5 deep, even gradient) will hold about 15,100 gallons.
I got that volume using the Old PoolMath Webpage link at the bottom of the forum page -
When we suggest depths, that is water depth - not to the coping. So to the middle of the waterline tile.
The larger the filter, the less you will need to clean it. Get the largest you can afford is usually the suggestion made here when someone is replacing a filter.
Will the pool be in a screen enclosure? If so, the CCP420 is plenty large enough for a 20k pool. But if the CCP520 is only slightly more money, ..... - you decide.
The Pentair SWG come in 20k, 40k or 60k sizes. For a 20k pool, the IC40 should suffice. But if the IC60 will be slightly more, the IC60 is the probably the better value as it is 50% larger than the IC40.
Even if you did get the IC40, once it's depleted it can easily be replaced with an IC60.
A 15' by 30' pool with an average depth of 4.5' (4 shallow, 5 deep, even gradient) will hold about 15,100 gallons.
I got that volume using the Old PoolMath Webpage link at the bottom of the forum page -
PoolMath
Discover the calculator behind the perfect pool, PoolMath. Dealing with pools has allowed TFP to become the original authors of the best calculator on the net.
www.troublefreepool.com
- Jul 18, 2019
- 616
- Pool Size
- 33780
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I built my pool in 2022/2023. I went all Pentair, love it, wouldn’t change a thing! I did use the Jandy Neverlube valves though 
i was looking at your equipment. I think I will go with VSP 3hr, IC60, and intellicenter. not sure what you mean by the jandy neverlubes. lol. Im just a noviceI built my pool in 2022/2023. I went all Pentair, love it, wouldn’t change a thing! I did use the Jandy Neverlube valves though
Im really glad I found this site before building my pool. I would have made lots of mistakes.
- Jul 18, 2019
- 616
- Pool Size
- 33780
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
We’re all novices at some point!
The Neverlubes are the valve that will control the flow for you skimmer/suction lines and your return lines. You’ll want each run independently so you can control flow and isolate any issues. You mentioned electronic valves were included with your phone remote. Ask what type/brand those electronic valves are.
- Jul 18, 2019
- 616
- Pool Size
- 33780
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I was on TFP 3 years before I built my pool. Never too early, and never too late, to be a TFPer
- Jan 7, 2012
- 2,123
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Pentair makes good equipment. I think you'll be happy with that choice. Make sure all your equipment is Pentair (pump, SWCG, automation, heater, etc.).
I think that would work great. I my pool is 4'-5'-4' and I really like that depth profile. We can use every square inch of our pool.
IntelliCenter works with the free Pentair app.
That's a comically small filter. For some reason, Florida builders love them. Get a CCP420 or CCP520. A large cartridge filter will operate more efficiently and will allow greater time between cleanings. (I clean my filter once a year, but could push it to 18 months if needed.)
Excellent choices. Get the 3 HP IntelliFlo3 pump (011075). Get the IntelliCenter load center with built in SWCG transformer.
You'll want a NG heater for the spa. Get a 400k BTU MasterTemp and install a bypass.
But you have a very large group of people that want to see your project succeed.
Take a look at these recourses and look at several build threads (mine is linked in my signature.)
Construction Best Practices - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Can anyone recommend a pool builder in the tampa bay, clearwater area that they have had good luck with. thanks, Mark