Re: Questions for pool experts (or quasi experts)...
Hi BigDog;
As you note, these are complicated questions, and you'll really need to split them off, and ask them separately. Otherwise, you'll end up with a rather confusing and jumbled thread, as one poster answers one question, and the next poster responds to a different question. So . . . I'll give you some brief starter answers, but then ask you to pick one of the topics, and start a NEW thread, asking just that question. If you want to pick two, that's OK too, but please don't try to tackle all 5 at once.
1. A *properly sized* 2 speed whisperflo is likely to be more efficient than the one-size-will-sorta-fit-all Intelliflo. The difficulty here is that the not many pool builders understand hydraulics well enough to reliably size pumps. So, they tend to oversize them, which wastes electricity and produces poorer water quality, at least with sand filters. The claim that the Intelliflo will outlast the Whisperflo by a factor of 3 - 5x is bogus -- I'd put that contractor on my "trust ONLY after verifying" list. Even if it were true (and I'm pretty sure it's not), the Intellflo you'd be buying hasn't been MADE for 15 years, so no one KNOWS how long they will last.
2. Salt is not "vs. chlorine"; it IS chlorine. SWCG's are Salt Water Chlorine Generators . . . though bogus makers like to call them SWGs (Salt Water Generators) even though they do NOT generate salt; you have to add it. Some makers prefer "Salt System", the better to mislead you.
You can get the "smooth" feeling by adding salt to ANY pool, whether you have an SWCG or not.
And the rock problem . . . we're not sure. There's a blog, thepoolbiz.blogspot.com, by a guy who's pretty bright and knowledgeable, but who absolutely foams at the mouth about SWCGs. HOWEVER, in areas like his (and yours) where it can be quite dry in summer, salt can from splashout can concentrate on rock ledges, coping and such where it MAY cause the problems he describes. (I just found out today that he's been closely associated with the EcoSmarte copper & 'active oxygen' systems. And SWCG's have been hitting that market pretty hard. So, that may be the reason for all the mouth foam!)
My best guess, at present, is that SWCG's are not a good idea in pools with natural stone, that are located in dry climates. But, that's a guess.
3. Cleaning systems -- ask others. I've never liked any of them that well -- it always seemed like I spent more time working on them then I would have just vacuuming the pool. From what I've heard, the in-floor systems seem to work well for the first few years, but then die forever. But, ask this question in the cleaner section; there are lots of people here who have lots of different systems. You may need to wait a month or so: most pool owners are still hibernating!
4. I assume you're talking about this, spectralightuv . com? (Not gonna give them a free link up, and boost their Google standings!). I scanned their site -- it's a mixture of truth, half-truth, and bogosity. I did pick up an nice article on copper-silver systems from them, but some of their "scientific links" were dead, and others, weren't science. Anyone who thinks the PPOA is a scientifically based organization has already lost points in my book.
Here's a truth: hydrogen peroxide + UV can produce outstanding water quality in a lightly loaded indoor pool. Been there, done that over 20 years ago! But it was very expensive, fairly high maintenance AND I had to add polyquat to control some biofilms in stagnant corners. I loved swimming in that pool, however! It was a 3rd home belonging to a mega-rich customer, so when I went up there, I was usually in the house alone. I'd get up there in the evening, swim my laps, go to bed, get up, service the pool, chemicals and system, clean up, swim my laps again, and drive back to Chattanooga. It was nice being able to swim and look at Grandfather mountain when I was swimming the northbound laps!
Here's a half-truth: UV can help eliminate chloramines, THMs and other DBPs. (TRUE) But they claim it has this value on OUTDOOR pools. (NOT TRUE) In the please-get-a-clue category . . . outdoor pools ALREADY have UV exposure. It's called "SUNLIGHT" and it's why you have to add stabilizer to keep chlorine from all going bye-bye. UV not only breaks down chloramines, it breaks down chlorine!
And, a bogosity: The bladder cancer study they quote is an older one and not well done, with the result that it really doesn't provide reliable information. But, worse: it is an INDOOR pool study. Outdoor pools do NOT have the trapped air problem indoor pools have, and they DO have solar UV. So, they are trying to sell you UV for an outdoor pool, using an bad indoor pool study: very bogus!
5. About warranties: In my experience, the longer the warranty, the more bogus the company! If your pool builder has not been around for 20+ years AND does not have a clear business succession plan, passing his business on -- intact -- to his competent and committed son . . . that 15 year warranty doesn't mean squat.
Several years back, there were some pool recoating companies that were competing with each other to see how long a warranty they could offer on their fiberglass recoating products. They got up to 50 years. As far as I can tell, NONE of those companies is still in business. I think the company that made it the longest, lasted about 10 years!
Good luck!
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