Seeking Feedback on Pool Plumbing Design

[Finalz]

Hi everyone,

I'm Joshua from Melbourne, Florida, and this is my first post here. I'm embarking on what I consider the mother of all DIY projects: building my own pool! The pool dimensions are 14' x 28' with a tanning ledge that's 10' x 9' and a spa that's 7' x 9'.

I'm so grateful for being able to learn as much as I have from these forums. Since you guys inspired me thought I would share my story. I'm attaching my current plumbing design for the pool and spa. I plan to use 2.5" PVC pipes for most of the system, except for the waterfall, which will use 3" PVC. The setup includes a main pump, sand filter, heater, and features like a waterfall, spa jets, and a bubbler. Still trying to pick which ones exactly but Ill post that soon.

I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on the plumbing design. I'll keep updating everyone with my progress.

Looking forward to your feedback and learning from your experiences!
Best,
Joshua

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
Your project will be interesting to watch.
Great that you are using a SWCG.

It is recommended to plumb the skimmers as independent lines back to the equipment pad. This provides better control.
So your pool suction would be skimmer, skimmer, main drain. Each should have a 2 way valve to control suction or alternative the 2 skimmers with each have a 2 way valve and put a 3 way valve between the 2 skimmer lines and the main drain
Have you positioned the pool skimmers to be in direction of wind? Wind pushes the surface debris the most.
Then there should be a 3 way valve that separates the pool suction (main drain and skimmers) and spa suction.

The spa/sun deck is confusing. Is the spa to the right side? Is there a wall between the 2? What is the depth of each?
The spa should have 2 drains as shown in the pool. There is no need to have a drain on a sun deck.
There is normally no need for a skimmer in a spa if it has a spa drain but OK to have it.

Put in a heater bypass. See Heater Bypass - Further Reading

There is no need for an anode. Search the forum for pros and cons.

It would be best to use a large cartridge filter rather than a sand filter. Get a minimum 300 sq ft cartridge filter. The larger the better.

Put a 3-way valve between the spa and pool returns. It looks like you have a 2-way valve on 1 branch of a Tee.
Put a 2 way valve on the waterfall to control it.

Always use Jandy type never lube diverter valves for all your valves. Avoid using any plastic ball valves.

Others will chime in.

 

[Finalz]

Hey Herman!
Thanks so much for the feedback and the warm welcome!

I implemented the changes you recommended and made adjustment on the pool and spa layout to make it clearer.
Attaching updated plumbing diagram to see what you think.

The equipment was pretty difficult to narrow down without prior experiences. This is what I have and it might be over kill so let me know what you guys think.

Pump	HAYWARD TriStar VS 950 2.7 THP, 115/230V
Filter	Hayward - W3C3030 325 SQ. FT. CARTRIDGE POOL FILTER
Salt Chlorinator	Hayward W3AQR3 AQUARITE COMPLETE

Still working on picking a heater and wanted ask if any of you have used or had experience with EcoSmart SMART POOL 27 Electric Tankless Pool Heater, 27kW, 240 Volt, 112.5 Amps? I've used tankless water heater before and they always worked well just haven't tried a pool one.

Thanks for the feedback and looking forward to keep this forum Updated.

Joshua

 

[HermanTX]

Hayward equipment is 1 of the big 3 so there is lots of support.
I am not familiar with any tankless water heater for a pool. I do not know if the GPM can be enough to heat the water. A standard pool heater requires minimum 40 GPM. May be others have some thoughts.

I did a freehand drawing of the suction side leading to the pump. It is recommended to use Option A. The use of a 3-way valve between the 2 skimmers and also between the skimmers and the main drain ensures that there is always an open pipe for pump to draw from. A 3-way valve is set up to always have an open pipe for suction. In Option B there is a risk that all 3 valves (2-way valves) could be turned OFF as well as the 3-way valve between the Pool side and Spa side suction thus would damage the pump.
However the 2 way valve provides for more discrete settings. So review each and decide which way is best for you.