Wow! Quite a project. I'm not fond of P/T where it can get in contact with pool water. Others tell me it's OK, that the days of arsenic-based Pressure-treated are long gone..

Quote Originally Posted by topnotch
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.

Yes, but if you are investing SO much, why not get 25 or 30--they are more abrasion resistang

2. -1" foam on the ground is as good as the gorilla pad.

No idea. Sand or vermiculite is normal.

3. -foam on the walls behind the liner is a good idea.

Not sure, but probably.

4. -It looks like the chlorine generator is a no brainer.

Not really. They work great but they cost a good bit. A properly balanced and maintained pool (according to THIS forum's rules!) requires so little maintenance, that all you are saving is a pouring in some bleach every other day.

5. -Cove strips are not critical unless I want the cleaner to run up the walls.

Cove strips aren't critical, period. People have used sand for years. But they do work nicely, and I think, give a nice look.

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)

Can't help you.

7. -A 20" sand filter with a 1 1/2 hp pump is big enough and brand isnt critical.

Easily. IMHO, I think 1.5hp is too much. More importantly, is that your pump not put out more GPM than your filter can handle.

8. - The inexpensive return type low voltage lights will be OK (solar pv doesnt like 300 watt pool lights)

I have inexpensive 50w 12 lighting, just two through-walls in a 40'x16' with a 5.5' deepend and that's plenty.

9. - It is tricky to put a main drain in a sand bottom vinyl liner pool.

Yup. And not recommended. You are building a flat-bottomed pool...the return on one end, the low drain in the same wall in the middle and the skimmer on the same wall on the end will EASILY circulate your pool nicely--that's experience talking.
10.- Solid winter covers are better than mesh.

Fiction. I have a mesh cover and LOVE it--I don't worry NEARLY as much as other people about it collapsing my pool. I like the safety covers, though.