Looking to buy our first pool.. Wondering about pricing and options..

[tbird2340]

Thanks a lot for the reply! So if I went with a 1/2 HP Inground Pump, what should I pair that with as far as the filter goes? I know when you buy them as a "package" the filter/pump come on a nice stand.. If I buy them separate do I just make my own flat surface to put them on or what?

RE: Sand vs Cartridge.. My friend at work had a cart and he switched it for a sand.. The guy at the pool store tonight sorta had me leaning towards a cart filter because he made it sound like the sand ones were a major PITA.. He said you have to (or should) change the sand yearly and that it's a bear to get all the wet sand out etc..

My other friend has sand and likes it and a neighbor has a cart and he said he would go that way.. So yea.. LOL.. It depends on who you ask..

So for the liner.. Should I go with a bead liner? 25gauge?

I think the rest is pretty straight forward.. A cleaning kit, solar and winter covers, a ladder, etc.. I'm just most concerned about picking the right filter/pump..

Thanks

[PoolDoc]

RE: Sand vs Cartridge.. My friend at work had a cart and he switched it for a sand.. The guy at the pool store tonight sorta had me leaning towards a cart filter because he made it sound like the sand ones were a major PITA.. He said you have to (or should) change the sand yearly and that it's a bear to get all the wet sand out etc..

So yea.. LOL.. It depends on who you ask..

Yes, but not in the way you're thinking: the cartridge advocating pool guy is lying! You do NOT have to change the sand annually, or anything like that. I've worked on old commercial pools that had 40+ year old sand that still worked just fine! Replacing sand *IS* a pain, but if you maintain your pool chemistry and don't use Baquacil, odds are it's a job you'll never have to do!

Sand filters may have to be cleaned more frequently than cartridge filters, but it's MUCH easier. You can backwash a sand filter (or some DE filters) wearing a suit. Try cleaning a cartridge filter in a suit . . . and you'll need a new suit!

There *are* a number of people here who have cartridge filters and like them -- but many of them have pools in arid regions, where there are water use restrictions, and where they don't have thunderstorms filling their skimmers (and filters) with leaf bits and bugs.

One key point that applies regardless of filter type: get a BIG filter and a LITTLE pump, and your pool life will be much easier.

[tbird2340]

If I was in the market for a pump/filter on the pool you described , I'd probably go with a 3/4 hp 2 SPEED pump and a 250lb sand filter. I've also read that 2" plumbing instead of 1-1/2" will probably pay for its self in energy savings, for pumps 3/4 hp and larger.

One key point that applies regardless of filter type: get a BIG filter and a LITTLE pump, and your pool life will be much easier.

So this is frustrating.. Here is why.. For example on this site: http://www.thepoolfactory.com/pool-s...ilter_type=324 where I may buy the pool.. All the filter / pump combos are not as you guys suggest. If it's only a 1HP pump (which they don't even offer lower than that) then the filter is only like 100 - 150lbs sand filter.. You guys recommend a small pump (3/4) and a big filter (250lb) but it's just not offered..

Anyone have any links to where I can get what you suggest?

Thanks

[PoolDoc]

Yeah. Hayward has some combos that aren't terrible, but none really meet our recommendations.

Give me the dimensions of the pool you've picked, and tell me which filter type you prefer (sand / de / cartridge) and I'll try to cobble together some links.

[tbird2340]

24' round x 54" high. I think I'm leaning towards sand but that's not set in stone..

Thanks much.

[Watermom]

(Go with sand! You won't regret it. It is so easy!)

[BigDave]

+1 for what Watermom said.