I am not sure if this is the right section to post this in but since it is technically new and a renovation it may be fine.
I bought a house that sat empty for a while after repairs were done because of hurricane Harvey.
While it was vacant the pool pump was stolen and the pool was semi-drained.
The old owner used a two part epoxy paint to redo the pool but left two squares unpainted where they had a DIY brace made of plywood and 2x4s.
Here is what it currently looks like as I remove all the palm tree debris:

I know where to get the paint to finish off the squares and the pool cleaning is straight forward but I need help on a couple of issues:
1. I need to replace the pump.
2. There is a crack by the skimmer that needs to be fixed.
On top of those two main issues I have the following questions:
1. Do I want to switch from the chlorine tab system to salt water generation?
2. Do I need to replace the filter since it has been open to the elements for a bit?
3. Is UV sanitation worth adding?
Here is what the current pool equipment looks like:

The pipes are all 1.5" that go through the ground but the filter is 2" and has slip adapters.
I am looking at the Pentair 1.5HP Variable Speed Pump but I think 1.5HP is to much for the 1.5" pipes.
Here is the gap/crack by the skimmer:

It looks like they tried to patch it with some sort of mortar and from what I have been told it was a pool type mortar like Patch-It waterproof cement.
Any recommendations beyond just trying to patch with the same stuff?
Looks like I can get a tub of the stuff for $20 local.
**** POOL INFO ****
Located in Houston, TX
34' L x 16' W
3'6" to 7'6" Depth
~22,440 Gallons
~65' from pump area to skimmer
~30' from pump area to jets/return
Let me know if you need more information.
***********************
I am Electrical Engineer by trade so feel free to get technical (preferred actually) and I will be doing all of the work myself.
I would love recommendations for the most optimal setup for the pool equipment and I have no real preference on any brand or setup.
I would also like to make this as low maintenance as possible (I know it will have some but time is money so I am willing to pay for automation to a certain degree).
I am also very nerdy so any suggestions on remote monitoring and/or control would be great, basically a smart pool or IoT pool is what I am looking for (DIY or commercial).
Sorry if this is got to long or to much for one post.
Thanks for reading and any help is appreciated.
I bought a house that sat empty for a while after repairs were done because of hurricane Harvey.
While it was vacant the pool pump was stolen and the pool was semi-drained.
The old owner used a two part epoxy paint to redo the pool but left two squares unpainted where they had a DIY brace made of plywood and 2x4s.
Here is what it currently looks like as I remove all the palm tree debris:

I know where to get the paint to finish off the squares and the pool cleaning is straight forward but I need help on a couple of issues:
1. I need to replace the pump.
2. There is a crack by the skimmer that needs to be fixed.
On top of those two main issues I have the following questions:
1. Do I want to switch from the chlorine tab system to salt water generation?
2. Do I need to replace the filter since it has been open to the elements for a bit?
3. Is UV sanitation worth adding?
Here is what the current pool equipment looks like:

The pipes are all 1.5" that go through the ground but the filter is 2" and has slip adapters.
I am looking at the Pentair 1.5HP Variable Speed Pump but I think 1.5HP is to much for the 1.5" pipes.
Here is the gap/crack by the skimmer:

It looks like they tried to patch it with some sort of mortar and from what I have been told it was a pool type mortar like Patch-It waterproof cement.
Any recommendations beyond just trying to patch with the same stuff?
Looks like I can get a tub of the stuff for $20 local.
**** POOL INFO ****
Located in Houston, TX
34' L x 16' W
3'6" to 7'6" Depth
~22,440 Gallons
~65' from pump area to skimmer
~30' from pump area to jets/return
Let me know if you need more information.
***********************
I am Electrical Engineer by trade so feel free to get technical (preferred actually) and I will be doing all of the work myself.
I would love recommendations for the most optimal setup for the pool equipment and I have no real preference on any brand or setup.
I would also like to make this as low maintenance as possible (I know it will have some but time is money so I am willing to pay for automation to a certain degree).
I am also very nerdy so any suggestions on remote monitoring and/or control would be great, basically a smart pool or IoT pool is what I am looking for (DIY or commercial).
Sorry if this is got to long or to much for one post.
Thanks for reading and any help is appreciated.