New Pool Construction by Owner - Equipment help!

[Lsanc]

I've been looking for a 3/4 Dual Speed from Hayward so I can adjust my price costs, but all I find at 1 and 1.5Hp Hayward for dual speed.

[PoolDoc]

May have to settle for 1HP. It won't make a lot of difference, so long as you run on low.

VS pumps depend heavily on surge-sensitive and EXPENSIVE electronics. They do well in places like California, but not so well in places with lots of lightning related voltage surges, like Miami. And even in California, a VS pump won't usually last as long as a 2 speed.

A Polaris cleaner both vacuums up debris (leaf bits, dead bugs, flower petals) AND it sweeps the pool, disrupting developing or emerging algae biofilms. In Miami, with no screens, you DEFINITELY want one, if you don't want to spend 20 minutes a week vacuuming.

Bubbles, for kids? Are you sure? From what I've seen blower bubbles hold kids interest for about 5 minutes. Then it's all 'been there, seen that'!

BUT . . . blower bubbles are not pump flow dependent. Jets are. If you want spa like jets, that will require a MAJOR increase in pump size, piping complexity, and cost. All very do-able, but you are moving away from your low cost very simple system.

Again, spas (and spa like functions) are -- from what I've seen over the years -- interesting to kids only for a brief initial period. I've only seen continued interest in spas in adults . . . and teenagers 'on the make'.

I've seen motel spas jam-packed with with young teens at regional swim meets, but that's a bit different: 1 part "It's NEW to me", 1 part "I'm really sore from swimming that 400 IM", and 1 part "Can I squeeze in next to Suzy -- she's not going to be fast much longer if those things keep growing, but I sure do like how they look!".

[Lsanc]

I may not have described well about the jets thing. No, I don't mean those jets. I mean the ones you put on the deck...like mini water features. All they do is throw a small splash of water up into the air and into the pool for the kids to play in.

As as the blower goes, I have a little 7' seating bench on the deep end of the pool. One of the contractors thought it would be cool to have a couple of blowers there kinda for back massage, etc. I am not sure if I will do it or not but was curious how odd of a thing this in on an actual pool - not a spa.

I will definitely get the pool cleaner - I just didn't know what the booster was for - but now I know.

Regarding the VS pump...I never thought it would be such a nuisance. I was mostly inclined in that director for the electricity savings.

[PoolDoc]

Builders almost always think it's "cool" when the property owner spends more money. Just keep in mind that many builders don't even like pools, or have one themselves!

There are situations where a VS pump is a good choice -- but a small simple IG pool in Miami is not one of those. And the additional savings from a VS pump, compared to a well-chosen 2 speed is far too small to justify the $500 price difference, much less the $200 for a surge protector and the reduced service life!

[Lsanc]

Got it. I'm sold on the 2 speed then. With respect to pricing, my research led me to some $700 2 speed pumps. Am I looking correctly? When you have a chance, doesn't have to be now, please see if you can share actual models of the pump you recommend.

[PoolDoc]

Here's an equipment list for you. Please note that the Pentair item will not have much of a warranty, if you buy it. Also, I'd STRONGLY recommend that you not buy and store ANYTHING. If you buy directly from Amazon, you have a 30-day return window (sometimes, 60 days), which is EASY. After that, you have to deal with manufacturer warranty policies, which is usually HARD. For the same reason, on bigger items always try to buy directly from Amazon, rather than 3rd party sellers, even if they are a bit cheaper.

Take a look, and tell me what you think.

Pump, SWCG, controller:

Hayward SP2607X102S Super 1-Horsepower Max Rated Dual Speed Pool Pump
Hayward AQR15 Goldline AquaRite Electronic Salt Pool Chlorinator Control Box w/ 40000-Gallon Cell
Intermatic PE653RC Wireless Control System for Variable Speed and Two-Speed Pumps

Pool Vacuum:

Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure Side Pool Cleaner
Zodiac K14 Sand and Silt Bag Replacement

Filter system:

Hayward S310S Pro-Series 30-Inch Side-Mount Pool Sand Filter
Hayward SP0710X62 Pro-Series Vari-Flo Replacement 1-1/2-Inch Control Valve Assembly with Gauge

--OR--

Hayward S244S Pro-Series 24-Inch Side-Mount 1-1/2-Inch Vari-Flo Valve Pool Filter

Possible features:

Pentair 640122 IntelliBrite 5g Color Spa Light, 100-Feet, 120-Volt
Zodiac 1203003 Sheer Descent Waterfall with 6-Inch White Extended Lip
Zodiac Sheer Descent manual

[Lsanc]

I just wrote a long reply but it didn't post...let me do this again:

Questions:

1) I read that Hayward pump needs 1.5" intake and outlet pipe. Is that good? I was planning in running all plumbing 2". Should I just use a reducer? I was under the impression 2" was the way to go.

2) sand filter size? Price diff between 30 and 24 is small. Should I just go for the biggest?

3) color changing led pool light...yay or nay?