Someone slap me.... please

[nlblit]

First, thank you for the awesome resources that are on this site. I have learned so much... but I think it's all a lot to process in a short amount of time (especially for someone who has never owned a pool before). My husband and I purchased a pool 2 weeks ago, and it is scheduled to be installed next Tuesday. When we went looking for pools we went to several pool stores and I talked to lots of sales people (also shopped around online). We felt good about the package - 30' round Whispering Winds II steel pool with a 2HP/2SP cartridge filter, and the frog system. Two weeks ago I was over the moon happy and counting down the days... now I'm questioning EVERYTHING.

1) I can't find anyone on this site that is a fan of the frog system. I've read through soooo many threads... I get the reasoning.
2) I'm wondering if we should have gotten a variable speed filter instead of a 2 speed.
3) I'm wondering if we should have gone with a resin pool because it seems like a salt water system is the way to go. Even if we didn't go that way now, we would have had the option in the future.

So, like the crazy person I am, I went back to the pool store today and talked to them about switching to a resin pool with a salt system. I felt good about it after all that I've read... but of course, their 30' round resin pool is out of stock and won't be in for 4 weeks. Ugh. He suggested moving up to a 33" round so we could stay with our current schedule. Easier said than done... our permit and plot plan is all for a 30'. We could try to change everything, but we definitely won't get the permit by next Tuesday. Also, I don't know as that I want a 33' pool. We have the room... but we will be adding a deck and I want to save room for that.

I have to let him know what I'm doing by the morning, and I just don't know. I think there are two options... stick with the pool that we ordered and have it installed on Tuesday, or wait until next season and go with a resin/saltwater pool. I don't want to wait... I've been waiting for years, but I also don't want to make a wrong decision.

I think I just need a "virtual slap across" the face from someone that loves their steel AGP and wouldn't trade it for a resin pool with a salt system. Anybody willing? I am literally making myself crazy... not to mention my husband.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts. I appreciate it

 

[Dirk]

I know nothing about the Frog system, and precious little about AG pools. And even less about astrology. But I do pay attention when "stars align," and when they don't. Perhaps your stars are not aligning for the pool you've ordered. You will have this pool for years (decades?). Don't rush a decision that will affect you for that length of time, just for four weeks of swimming. I don't know where Rochester Hills is, but you could still have some swim season left this year, even if you wait.

If you need a resin pool for an SWG, then get the resin pool. If you can't fit 33', then wait the four weeks. That's it. SLAP!

And if you do have to wait, then that'll give you some time to sort out your other concerns, too.

If SWG is even floating around in your head as a possibility, then you are an SWG person, and you will own an SWG. Simple. You'll be thanking yourself for getting one, and for getting the resin pool (if, in fact, you need a resin pool to go SWG). That's seems clear to me if not to you. I don't think I've read a single post here where someone declared that they wish they didn't own an SWG!

Frog system? Whatever that is. You need salt, an SWG, some CYA and some muriatic acid. That's it. No frogs. No systems. Just tried'n'true TFPC.

I love my variable speed pump. But I "need" one, and can make good use of one, because I have a cleaner, a solar system, an NG heater, automation, automated dosing machines, and a peculiar need to complicate everything! You can run a pool perfectly fine, and efficiently, with a two-speed pump and the correct timer. If you envision moving up someday to some of these other systems, then get the VS pump now. If not, just like the sanitation setup, keep it simple.

Take the money you just saved and build a bigger, nicer deck...

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!

Where is Rochester Hills? A saltwater pool is wonderful. And nearly imperative if you live in the southern climates were you do not close a pool. But if in Minnesota, not such a big deal.

Also, I do not see the requirement for a resin pool for salt water. It is not corrosive. As long as you follow TFPC.

 

[Catanzaro]

Welcome to the forum:

A few items:

1) You would be better off waiting, then kicking yourself in the short/long term.
2) My PB installed the FROG and guess what? Algae at the recommended levels. Did not last long. Ran empty for 3 years with liquid chlorine and then switched over to the SWG. Frog has been removed and still for sale on Let Go!
3) You can still install a SWG with a regular pool. SWG's are built all over the country with galvanized steel walls.

What exactly is the logic from the PB about Resin and SWG? Does the PB recommend not using a SWG with steel walls? If so, why?

 

[ctrav]

Welcome to TFP...

SWG is a good thing but know you will still augment with chlorine...
Nothing wrong with a 2 speed pump. VS will give you more options but I’m ok with the 2 speed until it stops working...
I don’t know anything other than I have heard the term Frog System but then again I once ate at a roadside restaurant called “Moms” once...
I wouldn’t rush to get or change anything just yet. Enjoy the rest of the summer and plan for next year...

 

[zea3]

Some AGP manufacturers void the warranty if you use an SWG. I personally don't think it makes that much difference in the long run. Even if you have a warranty claim for rust on the walls, the value will be prorated based on age of the pool at the time of the claim. Then it has to ship to you at your expense, and its not cheap. My pool was one of those rust horror stories but I never had an SWG, and I found TFP after only 2 years of pool ownership. The pool model you currently have on order is rated to be fully recessed into the ground. To me that is a bigger rust risk than an SWG. That also tells me this pool should have better rust-proofing than an average AGP. If this is a pool you could be happy with, go ahead and install it and get them to remove the frog and put that money toward an SWG.

Unless you are planning to add a bunch of automated do-dads a 2 speed pump is a good choice for an AGP. It is more cost efficient, in fact I would go with a 1 hp 2 speed pump. I've seen very few pools that need 2 hp to circulate the water adequately.

 

[nlblit]

I know nothing about the Frog system, and precious little about AG pools. And even less about astrology. But I do pay attention when "stars align," and when they don't. Perhaps your stars are not aligning for the pool you've ordered. You will have this pool for years (decades?). Don't rush a decision that will affect you for that length of time, just for four weeks of swimming. I don't know where Rochester Hills is, but you could still have some swim season left this year, even if you wait.

If you need a resin pool for an SWG, then get the resin pool. If you can't fit 33', then wait the four weeks. That's it. SLAP!

And if you do have to wait, then that'll give you some time to sort out your other concerns, too.

If SWG is even floating around in your head as a possibility, then you are an SWG person, and you will own an SWG. Simple. You'll be thanking yourself for getting one, and for getting the resin pool (if, in fact, you need a resin pool to go SWG). That's seems clear to me if not to you. I don't think I've read a single post here where someone declared that they wish they didn't own an SWG!

Frog system? Whatever that is. You need salt, an SWG, some CYA and some muriatic acid. That's it. No frogs. No systems. Just tried'n'true TFPC.

I love my variable speed pump. But I "need" one, and can make good use of one, because I have a cleaner, a solar system, an NG heater, automation, automated dosing machines, and a peculiar need to complicate everything! You can run a pool perfectly fine, and efficiently, with a two-speed pump and the correct timer. If you envision moving up someday to some of these other systems, then get the VS pump now. If not, just like the sanitation setup, keep it simple.

Take the money you just saved and build a bigger, nicer deck...

Thanks.... lots of great points. I appreciate the slap I'm in Michigan...so no swim time if we wait. I'm okay with that. We'd have a couple a disappointed kids, but I want to get it right for years to come.

 

[nlblit]

Welcome to the forum!

Where is Rochester Hills? A saltwater pool is wonderful. And nearly imperative if you live in the southern climates were you do not close a pool. But if in Minnesota, not such a big deal.

Also, I do not see the requirement for a resin pool for salt water. It is not corrosive. As long as you follow TFPC.

I'm in Michigan... so the pool will definitely be closed. Using a salt water system will void the warranty if the pool is not resin.

- - - Updated - - -

Welcome to the forum:

A few items:

1) You would be better off waiting, then kicking yourself in the short/long term.
2) My PB installed the FROG and guess what? Algae at the recommended levels. Did not last long. Ran empty for 3 years with liquid chlorine and then switched over to the SWG. Frog has been removed and still for sale on Let Go!
3) You can still install a SWG with a regular pool. SWG's are built all over the country with galvanized steel walls.

What exactly is the logic from the PB about Resin and SWG? Does the PB recommend not using a SWG with steel walls? If so, why?

Thanks for the feedback. The concern is not actually the pool walls, it is the supports and rails. The PB said those will rust if we use a SWG.

 

[mknauss]

I'm in Michigan... so the pool will definitely be closed. Using a salt water system will void the warranty if the pool is not resin.

Please add Michigan to your location.

As Zea points out, the loss of a warranty is not much of a loss. The instances of warranties being honored without some excuse by the manufacturer is pretty rare.

But, I think you can just run the pool as a conventional liquid chlorine pool with your short season. And if in a year or two you would like you can add a SWCG as by then the warranty will be nil.

 

[nlblit]

Welcome to TFP...

SWG is a good thing but know you will still augment with chlorine...
Nothing wrong with a 2 speed pump. VS will give you more options but I’m ok with the 2 speed until it stops working...
I don’t know anything other than I have heard the term Frog System but then again I once ate at a roadside restaurant called “Moms” once...

I wouldn’t rush to get or change anything just yet. Enjoy the rest of the summer and plan for next year...

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

 

[Dirk]

Looks like the others here are working on a consensus about resin or no resin. That should help. Check your warranty, though as another pointed out, they are actually of little value.

Some extra info for ya:

All pools are salt water pools eventually. Mine had salt enough for an SWG, before I ever decided to add an SWG! Chlorine, acid, other pool chemical, humans... all add salt to a pool, constantly. And salt doesn't evaporate, so it just collects until you replace the water. Eventually you'll have as much salt as an SWG pool. So whatever pool you buy, it's going to be subjected to salt, one way or another.

SWGs require about 1/10 the salt that's in sea water. It's similar to the amount you'd find in tears. Which is why some of your responders are questioning the need for a resin pool. It's water with some salt, it's not really salt water as most people think of it (most people can't even taste the salt in an SWG pool).

SWGs are highly recommended here. I love mine. But I can't run it year-round. It stops working for me when the pool water hits about 50° or so. Other brands vary, but not by much. No SWG works in cold water. Do folks in your area close their pools for off-season? Would you? Then this will be a non-issue. For me, I keep it open all year, so for a few months I have to revert to using liquid chlorine, added manually. This isn't always understood, or "advertised," when we all recommend SWGs.

Some add salt to their pool just for the feel of it, no SWG. Like soft water. You can have a saltwater pool without using an SWG. It just feels nice.

Keep us posted on what you decide. Whatever you do, you'll be able to count on the folks here to help you with whatever you need...

 

[zea3]

You could also spray on some extra rust protection on the underside of the top rails and uprights if you wish.

 

[Catanzaro]

I've seen very few pools that need 2 hp to circulate the water adequately.

In total agreement. I have a 2 HP with an oversized sand filter, 2 skimmers, 2 main drains, and 8 returns, coupled along with 2" plumbing. Yesterday, there was a lot of activity and I knew that this morning my water would be cloudy. Filter runs only 6 hours per day from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Manually dosed pool with 1/2 gallon of 12.5% and within one hour, the pool went from a hazy color to crystal clear. I cut the pump run time down from 12 hours (year ago based on pool company recommendation) now down to 6 hours, and this is mainly to keep the pool heated with the heat pump.

Looking back at the replacement this spring, I should have purchased a smaller 1.5 HP pump or VS and saved on the cost. Although, I am not sure with the configuration if this is the best option.

 

[CJadamec]

Congratulations on the new pool.

I'm just going to pile on here and say the only thing that needs a slap is that frog system.

Tell the builder you don't want it and to credit that money towards the next size up filter.

A 2hp is big but you got a 2-speed so you will be all set just run the pump on low speed and don't worry about it.

Other than that you got a nice pool and a large one at that. It should last a long time with years of happy swimming.

Hang out here and brush up on pool school and order a test kit. Snap a few pictures and share your your adventures with us. We love to answer questions.

 

[nlblit]

Thank you for all the feedback... and the slaps! I just wanted to give you an update on what we decided to do. After another sleepless night we cancelled the steel pool and opted for the all resin pool. I don't think this was a situation where there was a good choice and a bad choice, but rather a good choice and a better choice (even if the better was just for peace of mind). I have extremely sensitive skin, as does my youngest son. After all the reading, I think SWG is the better option for us... and I'd feel better with resin even though many feel the steel pool would be just fine.

I don't know when we'll have the pool now, I should find out on Monday. It will be at least two weeks.... which is totally fine. In that time, I'm going to continue to learn all I can and get my test kit ordered.

Thank you again. I will definitely snap some pictures when we get to that stage.

 

[kimkats]

I am just now finding this tread. The other have you very well covered on everything. I just wanted to say HI and good job moving to the resin pool. Our first pool was very rusted when we removed it. The metal track on the bottom was almost gone in several places as it had dirt sitting right on those parts of the pool. The pool was here when we moved it so it was all from the former owner. The pool was like everything else here-NOT taken care of

So lets talk about where this pool will be going and who and how they will prep the ground. The ground prep is the number one thing for installing any pool but especially an above ground pool. Let us see where you are going to put it please.

Also tell us the equipment package your have set up so we can go over it all. Include models as well.

Kim

 

[Dirk]

Sorry Kim, I should have thought to wave atcha.

nlblit, now you're in good hands. Kim is all about AG and new pools and builds...

 

[ctrav]

Yep Kim's the pro...

 

[Teald024]

I have extremely sensitive skin, as does my youngest son. After all the reading, I think SWG is the better option for us... and I'd feel better with resin even though many feel the steel pool would be just fine.

Hello and Welcome to TFP!!

When you have some time, use the search box on the upper right of each page and research sensitive skin and chlorine & pH.

 

[ctrav]

We went with SWG due to our girls having sensitive skin. I try to keep the pH between 7.5 and 7.9 and so far so good. I also find that hiving FC at target (6 is target) or slightly higher is just fine. We are in our second year with the pool...