Updating/Upgrading Pool Systems

[MiScubaJeeper]

First, I apologize for the length of this post!

I'm making my way through the vast amounts of information on TFP and it's been eye opening. Previous home was saltwater pool maintained by local national company. Our goal is to get to a point to maintain pool ourselves at new house. However, to get to that point, I think our equipment needs updating/upgrading as it appears the previous owner did some not-so-stellar DIY. Current SWG isn't working so pool guy is treating it like a normal chlorine pool. Working with a local, independent pool service, he's making some recommendations for equipment: Hayward TriStar VS 950 & 3-way valve for $2400, Hayward w/Omni Control SWG for $3200, Hayward 200 level filter. He doesn't mention the level of the cell or filter so I need to speak with him more about his plans. The salt cell looks to be a generic model since there's no type of writing on it at all. Attached are pictures of current setup and a brand new pool pump left by previous owner. I do want to get to some level of automation. The local guy doesn't want anything to do with "Amazon parts" so is avoiding the new CicuPool pump that was left by previous owner. Is the local guy charging too much? Are the items he is recommending overkill for the size of my pool? Hayward vs Pentair is like Ford vs Chevy... Also, I will be purchasing the TFP recommended pool test kit.

 

[PoolStored]

Is the local guy charging too much? Are the items he is recommending overkill for the size of my pool? Hayward vs Pentair is like Ford vs Chevy... Also, I will be purchasing the TFP recommended pool test kit.

I would have no trouble using the Circupool Pump. It is a medium head pump, and sells for about $1000. Probably would be fine.
The Hayward Tristar line are great, high head pumps. The VS 950 is the king, and the VS 900 is the queen. You likely will get no more benefit from the 950 vs. the 900 with regard to the energy efficiency. The 950 will be quieter, and may last longer. Toss up as to what is important to you. The price is reasonable.
You don't indicate WHICH omni. There is OmniLogic, Hayward OmniPL and Hayward OmniHub. Which is he installing?
Florida pool builders and installers waaaaay udersize the filter. It is actually a joke. When we see a 150 or 200 filter on a post, without looking we know you are in Florida. I would get a Hayward skim clear 325 or 425. You can likely go the year and clean them twice.
Ensure you get a T-9, or T-15 cell.

Get a complete quote, with all makes and model #s including the cell. Redact your name and post the quote. We'll confirm.

 

[MiScubaJeeper]

I would have no trouble using the Circupool Pump. It is a medium head pump, and sells for about $1000. Probably would be fine.
The Hayward Tristar line are great, high head pumps. The VS 950 is the king, and the VS 900 is the queen. You likely will get no more benefit from the 950 vs. the 900 with regard to the energy efficiency. The 950 will be quieter, and may last longer. Toss up as to what is important to you. The price is reasonable.
You don't indicate WHICH omni. There is OmniLogic, Hayward OmniPL and Hayward OmniHub. Which is he installing?
Florida pool builders and installers waaaaay udersize the filter. It is actually a joke. When we see a 150 or 200 filter on a post, without looking we know you are in Florida. I would get a Hayward skim clear 325 or 425. You can likely go the year and clean them twice.
Ensure you get a T-9, or T-15 cell.

Get a complete quote, with all makes and model #s including the cell. Redact your name and post the quote. We'll confirm.

Thanks for the reply! Correct, he didn't mention which level of Omni so I have that question out to him. I'm trying to educate myself on the difference between the 3 Omni models. It's interesting that you recommend an even larger filter! I'll post additional info once I have it.

 

[PoolStored]

Why clean a 200 cartridge every month, when a 400 can go for 6?

 

[ajw22]

Thanks for the reply! Correct, he didn't mention which level of Omni so I have that question out to him. I'm trying to educate myself on the difference between the 3 Omni models.

Hayward Automation Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[MiScubaJeeper]

Hayward Automation Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you! I saw this yesterday but couldn't find it again.

 

[ringi]

Why clean a 200 cartridge every month, when a 400 can go for 6?

One reason is the trapped organics use up chlorine until they are destroyed or cleaned from the filter. But with a SWG and cheap electricity that is less of an issue.

 

[PoolStored]

One reason is the trapped organics use up chlorine until they are destroyed or cleaned from the filter. But with a SWG and cheap electricity that is less of an issue.

Organics in a pool, whether they are in the pool or trapped in the filter will consume HOCl. Doesn't matter where they are. The filter cleaning is the issue. Larger filters require less frequent cleaning. In this case, in Florida, pool builders tend to install 150sqft or 200sqft filters which require more frequent cleaning than larger filters, and we get new FL members all the time complaining about frequency of cleanings. We also recommend the use of hairnets/skimmer socks to reduce filtration load. We have many members with large (30K+ gallon) pools and clean once, or maybe twice a year.

Our recommendation is to install the largest filter you can afford and will fit on your pad. Cartridge/DE/Sand is more of a personal preference. Either way, less frequent cleanings, more trouble free.

You might enjoy these:
Pool Chemistry:

Pool Chemistry - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Why go big and go cartridge- see "pool filter sizing":

Pool Chemistry - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com