Researching pool equipment

[GatorWayne]

My wife and I are in the design process of building a pool. I have been left the task of researching equipment. I have done some research on heaters, pumps, and salt chlorinators. The problem I am having is finding reviews on products. It seems inevitably I end up just reading the manufacturer’s marketing material without really knowing whether the product will work well or not.

Is there a website that has reliable reviews on equipment?

Thanks for your help!

[PoolDoc]

Sure, reliable reviews are readily available -- just all the pool salesmen, they've got all the reviews you could ever want, all from independent satisfied customers. And, if the ones they have aren't enough, give a day or two, and they'll write some more!

Seriously, no. There are not.

Amazon reviews of products are of actual buyers, and so have some meaning. But people that are PO'd are much more likely to post than people who are satisfied. And, Amazon is just beginning to get into pool stuff, so there's not much, and it's not well organized.

Elsewhere, I'd bet most of those writing favorable reviews are getting paid (as employees OR outiside "Internet presence consultants") for doing so.

The best you will do is to decide on a basic design for your pool, and then ask people here or at TroubleFreePools (a competing step-daughter of this site) what's worked for them. Particularly here, where I've been so strict about letting people in, those who do respond are usually known to us, and have been here awhile.

But, nobody trustworthy is in a position to compare all the makes and models knowledgeably.

If you are doing an elaborate in-ground pool, you might want to check out http://www.howibuiltmyownpool.com/, which was done a few years ago by Ben Choi, who started out here as well.

[GatorWayne]

Ben,

Thanks for a great place to learn / share information about pools and spas. I read voer poolsolutions.com yesterday and I was very impressed and learned quite a bit. I mentioned the BBB technique to one of our desingers and she thought it was funny.

Buying a pool is such an eye-opening experience. I will continue to read and learn from the experts here. I can't believe the amount of misinfomration I have already received and I am still in the receiving designs from companies phase. I hope it does not become overwhelming once they start digging and building.

[PoolDoc]

One thing to keep in mind: very few builders -- even good ones -- are knowledgeable about pool chemistry. Don't rule a builder out, just because he's an idiot about chemistry. (On the other hand, just because he's a great builder, don't think you should listen to his pool chemistry ideas, including the wonder gadgets he wants to sell you!)

[GatorWayne]

That is so spot on! One builder was very informative and seemed so knowledgable until he started telling how SWCG were the latest fad and I should instead go with a nature2 and ozonator system. This little tidbit of advice has definitely lowered my opinion of him. I want the desinger to talk design primarily and the related equipment after we settle on a design.

I was more looking for advice as to what equipment I should start out with since most are similiarly priced. Company X vs Company Y but trying to find what I want them to install versus what they are pushing. Lots to read here so I bet I find my answers.

[Watermom]

You are right, LOTS to read here and LOTS of people willing to help. Welcome to the Pool Forum. Hope you enjoy being a member!

[AnnaK]

One approach you might consider is to post the types of equipment you've looked at and are impressed with. Maybe one of the members has that equipment and will share an opinion.

The whole pool building experience is a challenge and can be overwhelming. When I was in your place I called a builder who did show up (in a yellow Hummer with naked women silhouettes on the windows). Not impressed. I showed him where we wanted the pool which is up on a hill away from the house a bit. He grabbed a can of neon pink spray paint and made an outline of a pool in the lower yard right next to the driveway. Even less impressed. His comment was that he could build three pools elsewhere in the time it would take him to build mine on the hill. At least he was honest. We did not do business together.

I got a whole lot of usable information by talking to pool store sales people. I learned something new and different from each one and took that info to the next place and asked about it. After a while I had built a pool of knowledge (really, no pun intended!). Then I went back to looking for builders. It was a long process which took me all year but our pool was filled and balanced in October that year.