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

[BigDave]

I kinda wish my pool had resin rails. I worry that the steel rails in contact with the ground are rusting into oblivion as I worry. I know this is ridiculous, but... I worry. I'm less inclined to wish for resin ledge as that sits in the sun all day and the sun will do a number on plastic. Resin ledges do look great.

Not really helpful - sorry - just my thoughts.

[tbird2340]

Ok bought the pool! So glad this is done with! I bought it without the pump and filter and plan on getting the ones that were suggested on here.. One thing though.. I will have to get all the hoses and fittings.. Not a big deal.. Just need to figure out what I need.. Are the ones linked all of them?

Also, I get no plastic "pad" since I'm buying separate.. I liked those because they had outlines of where the filter, pump, and feeder system would go (even though I'm not going to be really using the feeder system - I did get it in the package and may use it when on vacation and what not)..

What do you guys do if you don't get that plastic pad? Do they sell those? They seemed to be pretty specific to pump/filter combo.

Thanks!

[hrsdennis]

Hose kits only come packaged with the filter, they are not included in any other part of a pool package. Most filters can be bought with, or without, a hose kit. I would go without. I would go to the hardware store and buy 7 1 1/2" male adapters and about 15' of 1 1/2" flexible PVC pipe, some pipe dope, teflon tape and PVC glue. As Ben suggested add a couple of valves for cleaning and even a few quick disconnects for bringing the filter in during the winter, if that's what you plan to do. Doing this right the first time will save you so much in the way of expense and time saved in the long run.

As for the pad, I have no idea about the filter placement thing, never heard of that, but as for pads, I do not like them and seldom used them. I would go without.

Later, Dennis

[BigDave]

I used a pad made for a central air conditioning unit.

[hrsdennis]

Thanks for the wake up Dave, I was thinking pool pad not filter pad. The A/C pad is an excellent option. Patio pavers can work well also. But yes, you want something solid under a sand filter. Having filter location marked is useless, proper filter placement should be pretty obvious.

Dennis

[PoolDoc]

Dennis, what do you find works best for quick disconnects on AG pools -- standard unions or something else?

I've used, at various times, 1.5" or 2" Fernco couplings for disconnects. Have you seen that? Do you know of any downside from using them?

What about slice valves vs. ball valves? The slice valves are more compact and are easier to use, but you can't thottle with them. Plus the Valterra's have zinc plated bolt/nut sets and I'm not sure how they stand up.

[hrsdennis]

This True Union Ball Valve would be perfect for the skimmer and return. It provides a nice ball valve and a quick disconnect for about 25.00 each.

http://www.intheswim.com/Pool-Equipm...on-Ball-Valve/

A standard union between pump and filter would do the job.

Back in my early days we used brass valves and the hacksaw disconnect. Most of our installs were with the factory flex hose so we never got too carried away with plumbing, plus in Arizona the pools were left up and running year round.

I provided labor only letting the different pool stores sell what ever they wanted, or could, to their customers. What they sold is what we installed. They slice valves became very popular later on, many of the filter kits even included them. Never had a problem with them.

[tbird2340]

Never actually submitted! Here it is:

Man.. This buying filter / pump separately is adding up!!

So $600 - $650 for the filter and pump..

So I need to buy (7) of these 1 1/2" mail PVC adapters.. - $9

15' of 1 1/2" - around $40? Price unknown

250 - 350lbs of sand - Around $100

A/C Pad to set everything on - Around $40

2 Ball valves - $10 (Do I need just two total?)

Anything else? Can someone give me a brief - this goes here, connected to this, etc?

So that's about $800.. Gulp.. That is the pump/filter combo I should go with, right? Nothing cheaper? I know I do want a 2 speed to save the energy.. What was the reason to get such a ginormous filter for again? Less backwashing?

Thanks again for all the knowledge..

[PoolDoc]

+ The reason for the big filter is filtration. I won't ask you to hunt for them, but there are dozens of threads here from AG pool owners who find that their pool is still cloudy weeks after they've killed all the algae. I can pretty much guarantee that, when your chemistry is right, your pool will be the just about the clearest AG pool you've seen. Pools with DE filters may be a bit clearer, but they are a nightmare to work with when there's algae or another problem.

+ As you can see by following the link, 1.5" PVC pipe at Lowes is about $0.60/ft

+ 1.5" ball valves will probably more like $10 each, depending on whether you get them with a union or not.

+ I'm not sure why you have to do the installation; it shouldn't be harder to install this equpment, then the original combo.

+ For a pad, if you want to save a bit, you can get the 12" x 12" x 2" pavers and use those, instead. You'll need to put a bit of effort into leveling the ground underneath them. I'd get 12 pavers, and double stack them, so you're 4" off the ground.

+ If you're doing the piping yourself, use this pipe dope. It's much easier to use than teflon tape and gives a better seal. You might find it at your Lowes, but it wasn't listed online, so the link is to Amazon.

Rectorseal 31631 1/4 Pint Brush Top Tru-Blu Pipe Thread Sealant

+ While you are on Amazon, you may want to get this strap wrench set; a lot of people damage their pipe fittings using a conventional pipe wrench or channel locks.

+ Also this Oatey 'blue glue' is more forgiving than some and works well. If you've never fitted PVC pipe before, READ instructions before you start.

Hope this helps, rather than overwhelms!

[tbird2340]

+ The reason for the big filter is filtration. I won't ask you to hunt for them, but there are dozens of threads here from AG pool owners who find that their pool is still cloudy weeks after they've killed all the algae. I can pretty much guarantee that, when your chemistry is right, your pool will be the just about the clearest AG pool you've seen. Pools with DE filters may be a bit clearer, but they are a nightmare to work with when there's algae or another problem.

So are you still saying to get that same pump/filter you linked? $600 - No other options you can suggest? I'll spend the $600 if you think that is the solution for my pool just wanted to make sure..

+ As you can see by following the link, 1.5" PVC pipe at Lowes is about $0.60/ft

I need flexible tubing, not PVC, don't I?

+ I'm not sure why you have to do the installation; it shouldn't be harder to install this equpment, then the original combo.

I don't have to do the install.. The installer will do it, however, the pool place isn't giving me any of the tubing / connections since I'm buying my own pump/filter.. That's what I need to know exactly what I need so I can have it here for him.

+ For a pad, if you want to save a bit, you can get the 12" x 12" x 2" pavers and use those, instead. You'll need to put a bit of effort into leveling the ground underneath them. I'd get 12 pavers, and double stack them, so you're 4" off the ground.

Thanks for the suggestion.. I'll look at those or see how hard it will be for me to pour a pad.. Thing is, if I choose to do the pad, I'll have to wait until it's installed so I can make sure the location is correct.