Pool Build to Start Late March or Early April

[tphaggerty]

My neighbor has a cartridge filter. They love it because the pool service company that closes their pool cleans it then - once a year (their pool is open about 3 months).

I have a DE filter that I maintain myself. It does a marvelous job and is quite easy to maintain. Especially if you understand that the initial DE fill follows the manufacturers requirement (a full fill), but subsequenct fills after a backflush need to be less (I do a 7 pound initial fill and a 4 1/2 pound fill after backflushing). This is because a backflush doesn't remove all of the DE (its posted on the forums somewhere).

I have a cartridge on my Softub spa. Hate the thing, but only clean it twice a year.

I think if you are going to have a pool service company do your closings, then a cartridge is fine. If you plan on doing your own maintenance, I think either sand or DE will be better. IMHO only, of course.

Man, I just notice that Carl beat me to it, and did a better job at that! But I agree with what he said.

[georgiapoollover]

what tricks can i use for my sand filter? I dont know them.....

[waste]

Iwannapool, welcome to the forum!! I have a couple things to say on what's been said on this thread (some of them may even be useful to you )

GPL for info on improving sand filter's performance, see thread http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=515 and look at Poconos' response. Also check out http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=6143 and read chem geek's and CarlD's responses (Richard gives 2 links on the subject) - <spoiler> it's adding some DE to the filter. (Carl, any chance of 'sticky-ing' the 'DE in sand filter' info? - it seems to come up fairly frequently - THX)

With reguard to the advantages of a multiport (not available on cart filters- but is on DE and sand filters) see threads http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=5319 (#2) and http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=5727(#6)

A preplumbed line may indeed have future use and will cost boo-coo bucks less to have it run when the pool is going in.

The Polaris is an automatic cleaner, often with a booster pump and designated line which runs off of the filter system and requires the pool pump (or a booster pump) to provide it with the suction or return water which drives it. A robotic cleaner works independently of the filter system (power source is in the unit and is motorized).

As a last, for now, note: the schedual of construction/ completion depends upon many factors including-
Builder competence and crew availability/ ability.
Weather!
Schedual of payments ('cuts' or 'draws') {check your contract as to what will be done before you have to break out the checkbook to pay him for work-to-date - USUALLY, THE MORE CUTS, THE QUICKER THE JOB WILL BE COMPLETED}
Unforseen difficulties (ie- hitting bedrock when digging an 8' deep pool)

As you said that you had 'finally' chosen a builder, I'll assume that you researched and compared prices/ products - CONGRATULATIONS! , if you did your 'pre-buy-work' then everything should go smoothly!

I'm sure you've gotten one of the top builders in your area and shouldn't experience problems with your pool being built. I hope you'll share some photos of the project when it starts next spring (and share any success stories of running your pool 'the PoolForum way')

Have a great winter and never hesitate to ask the great and knowledgable folks here any questions you may encounter!! - Waste

[iwannapool]

Well my PB showed up Friday and took out 7 trees and today pool kit, 20 x 40 Mountain Pond by Cardinal, showed up as well as the heater, fiberglass in ground spa, filter, pump and misc. other boxes that I'm not sure what's in them.

Will try to post pictures once things get going.

imgettingapool (formerly known as iwannapool)