Salt Water Chlorine Generator for New Pool Build

[CarlD]

Actually, I believe it was me who mentioned Poolsean first. But he really knows his stuff on SWCGs and is a valued member of our support team.
Sean's got to be careful, being in the pool biz, how he advises, because of our rules. And he is. So expect him to be more informational and less selling. Toybuilder will have to make the final decision.

Your builder will have to advise you on how to use the spa vs the pool in the winter. Pipes below the frost line won't freeze--if they are below the frost line--but it may be VERY expensive to run it all winter. I just don't know--I don't know spas.

[SunnyOptimism]

Very good luck to you during your pool build!

We also had a very experienced, long time Tucsonan PB build our pool (30 years in pool biz from a family of PBs back in Illinois) and it makes all the difference if you decide to go that route versus an owner/builder DIY job. As a data point, our pool was built by our PB and at exactly the same time my neighbors pool was built by a big regional pool chain. My job started 3 weeks later than my neighbor's build but was completed almost a month sooner. He has had no end of problems with his pool even now being over a year out. He got a "yes man" salesman to deal with (who was inexperienced and quit the company after 6 months) and I have my PBs direct cell phone line and I am on first name basis with his wife.

Sounds like you're in good hands. When they break ground, start a new thread with pictures so we all can enjoy watching the build. And enjoy the snowflakes and steamy spa water when the winter comes

[SunnyOptimism]

And since we're doing the unsolicited opinion thing I would also add that you consider an acid pump, like the IntelliPH from Pentair, as part of your equipment pad. SWCG pools tend to have constantly rising pH which, especially in the beginning, means very frequent acid additions. An acid pump will also add to your "peace of mind / ease of use" factor.

I have an IC40 and it's worked just great for me. I'm kind of surprised your not going more with Pentair since you're going to use their IntelliTouch/EasyTouch control system. Usually Pentair offers a three year warranty if you bundle three pieces of their equipment in a single order, otherwise it's only 1 year. Would you be willing to share your pool build and equipment specs just so we all can "kick the tires"

[Toybuilder]

And since we're doing the unsolicited opinion thing I would also add that you consider an acid pump, like the IntelliPH from Pentair, as part of your equipment pad. SWCG pools tend to have constantly rising pH which, especially in the beginning, means very frequent acid additions. An acid pump will also add to your "peace of mind / ease of use" factor.

I have an IC40 and it's worked just great for me. I'm kind of surprised your not going more with Pentair since you're going to use their IntelliTouch/EasyTouch control system. Usually Pentair offers a three year warranty if you bundle three pieces of their equipment in a single order, otherwise it's only 1 year. Would you be willing to share your pool build and equipment specs just so we all can "kick the tires"

Morning Sunny! I'm used to doing things manually from my old pool so I'm not so sure about the acid pump. I'm trying not to add too much in that will need maintenance...but will keep some conveniences. Best of both worlds. The SWCG is to make sure we're getting chlorine in the pool. I sometimes work some pretty long hours including weekends and our vacations can last about 2 weeks. That is the only reason we're getting it.

The decision to go not go with the Intellichlor was based on what I've read, and even the builder said it wasn't very reliable and didn't mind the switch. Honest man. There have been some good reviews on the IC40, like yours, but there seemed to be more bad.

We are still getting the 3 year warranty as you mentioned since our pumps, heater, and filter will be from Pentair. Our setup is actually very close to yours, Intelliflo VS, (smaller pump for the waterfeature but I'm still waking up so I can't think off the top of my head), MasterTemp Heater, and TR-140 sand filter. Also, the EasyTouch.

Do you have pics posted of your pool? I'd love to take a look.

[Toybuilder]

I'm going to post a "rant" in the China Shop one of these days to let you know how we got to this position with our pool. Our original idea was a "Lazy River" with a lagoon in the middle Now that was stressful!!!

[SunnyOptimism]

Morning Sunny! I'm used to doing things manually from my old pool so I'm not so sure about the acid pump. I'm trying not to add too much in that will need maintenance...but will keep some conveniences. Best of both worlds. The SWCG is to make sure we're getting chlorine in the pool. I sometimes work some pretty long hours including weekends and our vacations can last about 2 weeks. That is the only reason we're getting it.

The decision to go not go with the Intellichlor was based on what I've read, and even the builder said it wasn't very reliable and didn't mind the switch. Honest man. There have been some good reviews on the IC40, like yours, but there seemed to be more bad.

We are still getting the 3 year warranty as you mentioned since our pumps, heater, and filter will be from Pentair. Our setup is actually very close to yours, Intelliflo VS, (smaller pump for the waterfeature but I'm still waking up so I can't think off the top of my head), MasterTemp Heater, and TR-140 sand filter. Also, the EasyTouch.

Do you have pics posted of your pool? I'd love to take a look.

IC40 has been working fine....maybe Fortune is just smiling on the foolish

Here's my pool in the morning -

[JimK]

IC40 has been working fine....maybe Fortune is just smiling on the foolish

Here's my pool in the morning -

Beautiful!

[Toybuilder]

IC40 has been working fine....maybe Fortune is just smiling on the foolish

Here's my pool in the morning -

Awesome! Funny, you may be getting a twin here in Colorado. Our design is very similar except our spa is about 3ft away from the pool and not raised. But the rock waterfall and general shape is almost exact.

[CarlD]

And since we're doing the unsolicited opinion thing I would also add that you consider an acid pump, like the IntelliPH from Pentair, as part of your equipment pad. SWCG pools tend to have constantly rising pH which, especially in the beginning, means very frequent acid additions. An acid pump will also add to your "peace of mind / ease of use" factor.

I have an IC40 and it's worked just great for me. I'm kind of surprised your not going more with Pentair since you're going to use their IntelliTouch/EasyTouch control system. Usually Pentair offers a three year warranty if you bundle three pieces of their equipment in a single order, otherwise it's only 1 year. Would you be willing to share your pool build and equipment specs just so we all can "kick the tires"

I have to disagree. While it is true many SWCG owners have a rising pH problem, not all of us do. In fact, I NEVER do. You can always install an acid pump later if you find it's a problem. You WILL have rising acid when your pool is new, but if you just buy a couple of $10 floating chlorinators and fill them with Tri-Chlor tabs, they will control your rising pH during the 6-8 week curing period and add some of the CYA you need, too. You CAN use chlorine with an SWCG without a problem.

It's too easy to get into the buy, buy, buy mode when it's new and while we can frequently all be equipment junkies, it's better to learn and master the BBB method FIRST and use the equipment to augment that, not replace it.

[JimK]

I have to disagree. While it is true many SWCG owners have a rising pH problem, not all of us do. In fact, I NEVER do. You can always install an acid pump later if you find it's a problem. You WILL have rising acid when your pool is new, but if you just buy a couple of $10 floating chlorinators and fill them with Tri-Chlor tabs, they will control your rising pH during the 6-8 week curing period and add some of the CYA you need, too. You CAN use chlorine with an SWCG without a problem.

It's too easy to get into the buy, buy, buy mode when it's new and while we can frequently all be equipment junkies, it's better to learn and master the BBB method FIRST and use the equipment to augment that, not replace it.

I agree with Carl.

I seemed to have found the sweet spot with TA and borates in my pool (TA about 80, borates about 60). This is the second season I haven't had to add a single drop of acid to adjust pH. It seems to level off at 7.5-7.6 and stays there the whole season.