Lighting and Returns Question (pic)

[jhershauer]

Hi. We're having a pool put in and there are two things I'm not completely comfortable with in our CAD diagram. 1) I'm wondering if our single 400W light will provide light all the way into the shallow end, and 2) do the number and placement of our returns (Rs with circles around them) look reasonable?

Thanks,
Jeff

[duraleigh]

The returns look great....very adequate.

You are wise to question the light....I would opt for two. Think about placing them so they don't shine in your eyes when you are at the most popular sitting area....wherever that may be.

[jhershauer]

Thanks for the feedback! My biggest concern with the returns is that I'll end up collecting stuff in the seating area around the table. I was wondering if I should have a return just inside that area that pushes water around and out of there.

With regards to putting in a second light, does anybody know if you can put a light below the skimmer? That seems to be the most obvious place for a second light (between the table and the steps in the shallow end). Our house is down below the shallow end steps. That's why I don't have a light at the end of the deep end. The current light is facing away from the seating area on the deck.

Thanks again,
Jeff

The returns look great....very adequate.

You are wise to question the light....I would opt for two. Think about placing them so they don't shine in your eyes when you are at the most popular sitting area....wherever that may be.

[CarlD]

400 watts??? You'll get a suntan from that!

Is that really a normal light? I'd be afraid of it damaging people's eyes. It's a pool, not an airport landing marker!

I'd look at 2 300w lights instead.

Heck, I have a 40' AG rectangle and have 2 50w lights and I think that's plenty!

[duraleigh]

Hmmm. Well, I have two-500w lights and, while it's a large pool, (25x53) they are adequate but not overkill. I guess my night vision is failing.

You can always put a dimmer on them but it's difficult to use an electrical accelerator.

I'm pretty sure your builder may run into some hassles trying to put a light directly under a skimmer...tight fit.

[jhershauer]

400 watts??? You'll get a suntan from that!

That seemed bright to me as well when I first started looking at pools, but that seems to be the standard incandescent light wattage for all of the pool builders here in the Phx, AZ area. The potential blinding power is the reason i put it on the side instead of on the end pointing back towards our family room window.

We do have a white plaster finish, so even though it's over on the side, perhaps the light will reflect reasonably well over towards the shallow end.