I am building a wooden pool in NJ on a hillside (near free) 32x16x4.5 ...my engineer friend says it will work (slightly nervous). I have a bunch of questions since I havent built or cared for a pool since I was a kid. here are my assumptions...please disagree as you see fit.

1. -A liner that is 20 mil will last me ok if I take care of the water, etc.
2. -1" foam on the ground is as good as the gorilla pad.
3. -foam on the walls behind the liner is a good idea.
4. -It looks like the chlorine generator is a no brainer.
5. -Cove strips are not critical unless I want the cleaner to run up the walls.
6. -I will use the Weil Mclain Indirect Pool Heater on my home boiler and its 175K capacity is enough for my 17500 gallons (their advice 1 degree per hour)
7. -A 20" sand filter with a 1 1/2 hp pump is big enough and brand isnt critical.
8. - The inexpensive return type low voltage lights will be OK (solar pv doesnt like 300 watt pool lights)
9. - It is tricky to put a main drain in a sand bottom vinyl liner pool.
10.- Solid winter covers are better than mesh.