Some easy questions, some harder ones too!

[sock monkey]

We are live in MA and are rebuilding a 18x36 inground, vinyl lined pool. We are currently cleaning and clearing away the old bottom cement. There is a main drain that does not pressurize, instead of repairing it, I am planning on getting rid of it. We are considering using a regular cement base of 2" and laying a thin styrofoam sheath above it (we assume we aren't going to get the cement perfect, and the strofoam sheath/blanket/roll thing will hide some imperfections..also make the bottom slightly softer which from what I read can help with vacuuming) We are not planning on using wall foam, because I've read horror stories of floating liners and falling wall foam board.


Here's the "easy" questions:

Does a "solar blanket" add a noticeable amount of heat to an ig pool? I'm thinking, when it's hot, we'll be IN the pool and really not using the blanket much during peak hours. Is it still effective?

If I want to hook up a pool heater, do I have to do it during the remodel, or can it easily be added afterwards?


And the hard ones:

Is 1 HP pump enough for this size pool?

Has anyone used a Zeobrite or Micromedia filter? I am thinking of buying this one (2 years old, at about 1/2 the list price on that website)

https://secure3.milestechnologies.co...&productID=165


Ok, last question. Looking at the filter in the link above..do you think I could use filter SAND if the micromedia (which looks to be zeobrite??) doesn't work out?



THX VERY much to anyone who can help!