About to build a IG pool......just a bit nervous!

[kelemvor]

Also, wondering what makes you lean towards a cartridge filter? Just curiosity on my part.

I'm curious to see if pooldoc or anyone has an opinion here. I could have sworn I'd seen him give praise to decent cartridge filters; but in general the forum mods seem to like sand/de? Is one really better than the other (intex cheapie cartridge stuff notwithstanding)?

[B.S..]

I'm not opposed to a sand filter if the maint is similar to a cartridge I've also not researched DE. I've used Diatomaceous Earth filters in my aquaria before and they were very effective. But I do like the notion of pulling a cartridge out of the filter cleaning it and putting it back in. Maybe I like the notion because of my many decades of keeping aquaria and it seems familiar.

I'm thinking that the dark color will stay though because while the pool will be used for swimming it will also be an integral design component of our back yard "living / entertaining space" and design/color are big issues to my wife. Me too to a point. But a bit warmer pool will be of benefit in early spring and late fall and will probably extend our swim season a bit too...eh?

I'm guessing by the post just above that there is a brand called "Intex" that is not too well respected....correct? What brands of cartridge filters are good quality? Also DE how does it work compared to sand and cartridge filters?

Thank you all so much for you valuable input and opinions.

[Manslick]

If memory serves, DE will filter blood. May be hype, I don’t know.

My DE filter was in place when I bought the house so I never knew any better. If does a fine job of filtering but there is a mess factor when back flushing or cleaning.

I started using an old bed sheet taped to the back flush hose to catch the old DE. I threw the sheet away but I recently heard that DE can be used to repel insects.

So, it could have a second life sprinkled around your foundation. Maybe that is what is in Seven Dust. Hmm..

[Shredhead]

Why no heat? Even in TX, that will severely shorten your season.

[aylad]

Why no heat? Even in TX, that will severely shorten your season.

I don't know about that--in Northwest Louisiana, our swim season is already late April through late September or early October, and I would think he's in a hotter climate than we are......

Janet

[B.S..]

I don't see us having heat because 1. we don't have access to natural gas as I'm in a rural area and 2. I don't think electric heat would be that effective and 3. I don't really want to pay the $$$ in utility costs. 4. I also don't see us covering the pool which would be a must if heating it. The pool will be immediately off of our large covered back porch and will be quite viewable from most rooms in our house. The rear of our house is very very glassy and the pool would remain running all year round but we would have a swimming season of late March thru October. So to me, the pool for those 4 to 5 months of no swimming, would have to be for aesthetic function only.

I'm really curious to see what this pool guy will do with my design. I penned up a design I wanted him to bid but I also told him to use his experience and design skill to take my design and run with it a bit. I think we'll hear back from him next Monday or so.