New Pool install

[addonbuilders]

New Member here, just found out this place existed. To keep a long story short, I need some advice on installing a 16x38 fiberglass pool myself. After having issues with the pool builder/installer, ive decided to just install it myself. I have lined up a friend of mine to do the excavation work who has experience digging pools, just not fiberglass. My plan was to over dig about 6-8 inches deep and set the pool on a bed of 3/4 minus crushed blue stone. I would back fill with same stone. Plumbing will be all 2 in rigid sch 40. I was planning on not running a skimmer, as trees and debris arent really an issue where i live. If that seems ok, would you run 2 supplys and 2 returns? The pool installer was only going to use 1 skimmer anyway and 2 returns. My last vinyl liner pool installed in 2018 at my last home had two skimmers and 2 returns. Can anyone recommend a good place to buy pool plumbing online? I see alot of return fittings for vinyl liner but not for fiberglass. We are also doing a auto cover through coversafe. They install coverstar and cover pools covers. Im planning on a cartridge filter and a VS 1.5 HP pump. I had a Sta-rite pump and Pentair filter on my last. Liked both. This is about to be a huge project for so if anyone has any advice Id appreciate it. Just to be clear, Im very proficient in most things. I just built my own home and large shop. Electrical and plumbing are basically second nature at this point for me. Thanks for taking a look.

Jason

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! A few thoughts I had:
1 - With the shell only 6-8 inches deep, how do you plan to support the shell walls pushing outward once filled with water? Normally that's part of the ground and backfills job.
2 - I would still install a skimmer. You would be surprised how much fine materials settle on the surface that a skimmer and skimmer sock will collect.
3 - My pool is 16x40 and I have 6 return jets. I would go no less that 3 or 4 pushing towards the skimmer on the other end.

I'm sure more replies will follow.

 

[addonbuilders]

Welcome to TFP! A few thoughts I had:
1 - With the shell only 6-8 inches deep, how do you plan to support the shell walls pushing outward once filled with water? Normally that's part of the ground and backfills job.
2 - I would still install a skimmer. You would be surprised how much fine materials settle on the surface that a skimmer and skimmer sock will collect.
3 - My pool is 16x40 and I have 6 return jets. I would go no less that 3 or 4 pushing towards the skimmer on the other end.

I'm sure more replies will follow.

I should clarify, the pool will be fully inground. The plan was to have the bottom sitting on 6-8 inches of crushed stone. Can someone recommend a good skimmer for a fiberglass pool?

 

[Texas Splash]

Can someone recommend a good skimmer for a fiberglass pool?

Maybe @1poolman1 can help with a make/model.

 

[Newdude]

When you have some time, @Casey documented her fiberglass journey spectacularly. They hit some speedbumps and went above and beyond at every step.

Imagine Illusion 40 Complete 10/19/21

I have someone coming out on the 9th to give me an estimate on an inground pool. I already told him I want a large DE filter, 2 speed pump, 2" pipes and a SWG. He said it sounds like I know what I want! Anything I should be requesting or whatnot? Help me build my perfect pool. I also told him...

www.troublefreepool.com

Smack a homemade flag in the yard and check it everytime you think of it. That will give you an idea of your prevailing wind direction. Even a gentle breeze will over power pool returns so you want Mother Nature to assist, not hurt. In my case both now and at the old place, the wind mostly blew from the shallow end to the deep end, so 2 returns down the straight pool was plenty. If it was across the short side I would have gone with 3 returns and 3 skimmers on the long walls. If the wind was all over the place, I would have gone with opposite corners for the toilet bowl effect.