Quote Originally Posted by kevink619
Hi all,

My wife and I are seriously considering having an in ground pool installed. We've talked to three different contractors and have heard vastly differing opinions on the below items:

Kevin,

Welcome to the Forum. We will help you every which way we can to get yourselves a pool in San Diego. Let's check the points you mention.

Salt system:

Two contractors say it's great - better for the skin, easier to take care of, etc. One recommended against it and says it causes heaters to blow up, "it's not good to have all that salt in the water", etc. Who's right? My wife has sensitive skin, so, if there are no major disadvantages to the salt system, it seems worth the $1300 price tag.

The contractor who was against it does not know what he is talking about. No sallt system to OUR knowledge has ever blown up a heater. You will find the salt system to be very accommodating to sensitive skin, if you check some of the threads. Some members here add salt for that very reason, even though they do not have a salt water chlorine generator (SWCG). You can also get a SWCG for much cheaper if you check on Ebay or any other Internet sources.

Ozonator:

I currently have a portable spa with an ozonator and Nature2 and love it. Two dealers recommended ozonation for the pool, while one said "it's not really effective". Who's right?

Not having used an ozonator and Nature2, I cannot help you here, but someone can help you.

Two-speed pump:

Here in San Diego, electricity is very expensive. I've heard that the two-speed pumps can really save on energy costs. Two dealers recommended the two-speed pump, and one said that they're a waste of money. We do plan on installing solar heating as well as a couple of "sheer descents" water features. Will the two-speed pump be pointless since the solar heating will (apparently) require that the pump run in the high-speed? What about the days in the summer where the water is already hot enough?

A two-speed pump can be very economic, if you have adjustable electric rates. Solar heating will definitely help, but you may have to work out how to use it based on the two-speed ump, to get the most economy.

Solar heating system:

The concept seems very basic - put some black plastic panels up on the roof and pump water through 'em so that the water soaks up the heat from the sun. Are the more expensive solar heating systems really that much better in efficiency, or will an inexpensive solar heating system be sufficient?

Solar panels can be bought over the Internet a lot cheaper than having them installed professionally, and work just as expensive systems. If you are familiar with using PVC pipe, you may find it a lot less expensive.

Thanks, in advance, to all that can provide some unbiased opinions on the above features.

Kevin K
Hope this has helped you.

Pat