Looking to buy our first pool.. Wondering about pricing and options..

[tbird2340]

Never actually submitted! Here it is:

Man.. This buying filter / pump separately is adding up!!

So $600 - $650 for the filter and pump..

So I need to buy (7) of these 1 1/2" mail PVC adapters.. - $9

15' of 1 1/2" - around $40? Price unknown

250 - 350lbs of sand - Around $100

A/C Pad to set everything on - Around $40

2 Ball valves - $10 (Do I need just two total?)

Anything else? Can someone give me a brief - this goes here, connected to this, etc?

So that's about $800.. Gulp.. That is the pump/filter combo I should go with, right? Nothing cheaper? I know I do want a 2 speed to save the energy.. What was the reason to get such a ginormous filter for again? Less backwashing?

Thanks again for all the knowledge..

[PoolDoc]

+ The reason for the big filter is filtration. I won't ask you to hunt for them, but there are dozens of threads here from AG pool owners who find that their pool is still cloudy weeks after they've killed all the algae. I can pretty much guarantee that, when your chemistry is right, your pool will be the just about the clearest AG pool you've seen. Pools with DE filters may be a bit clearer, but they are a nightmare to work with when there's algae or another problem.

+ As you can see by following the link, 1.5" PVC pipe at Lowes is about $0.60/ft

+ 1.5" ball valves will probably more like $10 each, depending on whether you get them with a union or not.

+ I'm not sure why you have to do the installation; it shouldn't be harder to install this equpment, then the original combo.

+ For a pad, if you want to save a bit, you can get the 12" x 12" x 2" pavers and use those, instead. You'll need to put a bit of effort into leveling the ground underneath them. I'd get 12 pavers, and double stack them, so you're 4" off the ground.

+ If you're doing the piping yourself, use this pipe dope. It's much easier to use than teflon tape and gives a better seal. You might find it at your Lowes, but it wasn't listed online, so the link is to Amazon.

Rectorseal 31631 1/4 Pint Brush Top Tru-Blu Pipe Thread Sealant

+ While you are on Amazon, you may want to get this strap wrench set; a lot of people damage their pipe fittings using a conventional pipe wrench or channel locks.

+ Also this Oatey 'blue glue' is more forgiving than some and works well. If you've never fitted PVC pipe before, READ instructions before you start.

Hope this helps, rather than overwhelms!

[tbird2340]

+ The reason for the big filter is filtration. I won't ask you to hunt for them, but there are dozens of threads here from AG pool owners who find that their pool is still cloudy weeks after they've killed all the algae. I can pretty much guarantee that, when your chemistry is right, your pool will be the just about the clearest AG pool you've seen. Pools with DE filters may be a bit clearer, but they are a nightmare to work with when there's algae or another problem.

So are you still saying to get that same pump/filter you linked? $600 - No other options you can suggest? I'll spend the $600 if you think that is the solution for my pool just wanted to make sure..

+ As you can see by following the link, 1.5" PVC pipe at Lowes is about $0.60/ft

I need flexible tubing, not PVC, don't I?

+ I'm not sure why you have to do the installation; it shouldn't be harder to install this equpment, then the original combo.

I don't have to do the install.. The installer will do it, however, the pool place isn't giving me any of the tubing / connections since I'm buying my own pump/filter.. That's what I need to know exactly what I need so I can have it here for him.

+ For a pad, if you want to save a bit, you can get the 12" x 12" x 2" pavers and use those, instead. You'll need to put a bit of effort into leveling the ground underneath them. I'd get 12 pavers, and double stack them, so you're 4" off the ground.

Thanks for the suggestion.. I'll look at those or see how hard it will be for me to pour a pad.. Thing is, if I choose to do the pad, I'll have to wait until it's installed so I can make sure the location is correct.

[tbird2340]

So I still need to know what fittings I need.. I got six of these, (2) 6' x 1 1/2" hoses, and (1) 1 1/2" hose.. Don't I need some other stuff in order to have shut off valves etc??

The 6 fittings are for: 1 on skimmer, 1 on pool jet, 2 on sand filter, and 2 on pump.. One of my 6' flexible hoses will go from skimmer to pump, the other 6' will go from sand filter to pool.. Then a 3' flexible hose will connect the pump and the filter together.. Is that right?

Where do I add the gate valves and what fittings do I need to do so??

Really sorry but I swear my local pool places are morons.. I asked both my local store and Leslie's what I need to connect my pump/filter since I bought them separate.. Both looked at me like I was speaking Greek..

[BigDave]

You'll need one more 1.5" NPT to 1.5" hose fitting for a backwash hose and you'll need a backwash hose.

Valves are optional but are real handy for doing maintenance on the pump and filter. I have a ball valve on the suction and return sides so I can shut off the water from the pool and clean the pump strainer etc. Unions or Quick-connects make it easy to remove equipment for winter storage or maintenance - I believe hrsdennis linked a True Union ball valve earlier in this thread - this is a valve that has unions built in on each side.

[tbird2340]

Pool being installed today.. They said the 3' corrugated flexible tubing I got to go from the pump/filter isn't what I should use..

Looking in the PDF of the filter it shows to get a 33" vinyl hose (SX201Z1 BUT it says that is for a

18", 21", and 23" system

.. What am I supposed to get for this monster 27" filter?? I can't find jack on their website or documentation..

Thanks

[tbird2340]

I'm sure they sell vinyl tubing at lowes and what not.. Anyone know what kind I need to get? Is it 1 1/2" ID?

Thanks!

[BigDave]

In post #53 hrsdennis suggested flex PVC piping, PVC fittings, glue and thread sealant.

[hrsdennis]

To add to what Ben said, the filter is the most important part of your pool. In my forty plus years of installing above grounds I have had plenty of access to free used pools. People pay me to remove them from their yards when they are tired of them. Whenever I needed a pool I had access to a free one. I would add to it the cheapest liner I could find. During the internet age it would be the cheapest blue 20 gauge I could find. I know how to take care of a liner and get the most out of them. If I had to change it in five years, the new liner was cheep and the labor free. The only place I was picky was what I used to clean the pool with. I have always used top notch filter equipment and my kids always swam in sparkling clean water. They did not care whether or not there were fish all over the liner, or whether there were huge 8" resin top seats surrounding them. Actually, these were not options when I was raising kids, but anyway, they always had sparkling clean water to swim in.

The filter equipment you choose will have a direct bearing on how much enjoyment you get out of the pool.

Later, Dennis

[tbird2340]

To add to what Ben said, the filter is the most important part of your pool. In my forty plus years of installing above grounds I have had plenty of access to free used pools. People pay me to remove them from their yards when they are tired of them. Whenever I needed a pool I had access to a free one. I would add to it the cheapest liner I could find. During the internet age it would be the cheapest blue 20 gauge I could find. I know how to take care of a liner and get the most out of them. If I had to change it in five years, the new liner was cheep and the labor free. The only place I was picky was what I used to clean the pool with. I have always used top notch filter equipment and my kids always swam in sparkling clean water. They did not care whether or not there were fish all over the liner, or whether there were huge 8" resin top seats surrounding them. Actually, these were not options when I was raising kids, but anyway, they always had sparkling clean water to swim in.

The filter equipment you choose will have a direct bearing on how much enjoyment you get out of the pool.

Later, Dennis

Thank you Dennis.. So are you in agreement with this filter and this pump?