Pool Build Thread

[BHC Vic]

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Started up today and everything is good. Can't wait to enjoy it.

Mastic is done. We are going to be put back this weekend pressure washing side of house and patio covers, uncovering patio furniture and gardening. Goo g to look real nice. Can't wait to do fences and my wife can finish planting.

Eventually will make patio covers solid and then I can hand some ceiling fans and lighting or whatever. Going to have an island done as well but I'm done with any grills but a Weber so a new Genesis will be standalone. Island will likely have sink though and maybe a spot to put in a mini fridge. Going to be our own little resort back there.

View from my bedroom is awesome. I'll have to snap a pic when the lighting is better.

Let me know if you need help covering the patio [emoji106] getting ready to do mine as well but going to tear the old one down and build one that warps around to the side yard. Il

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Let me know if you need help covering the patio [emoji106] getting ready to do mine as well but going to tear the old one down and build one that warps around to the side yard. Il

I might be putting you to work. That corner cover is flat up top so I figure I can paint and cover with plywood or something and then cover with roofing material like would go on a flat roof. The one attached to the house is slanted so is have to shingle or something like that for aesthetics.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

So pool lights do appear to change mode every time you turn them off and on. I can of course do it through the easy touch menu or as soon as I setup the scree logic interface so I can do it from my iPhone and iPad. The only sucky issue so far is the spa light is bad. Grrrrr.

Get to call Pentair on Monday for warranty fix. Lights were fine on install and were fine on initial startup but now keep throwing the GFI breaker. Pool light is fine. All wiring was double checked and was done correctly. Probably water started seeping into light or something.

I thought Pentair was the best. But I got the one bad apple. Sux.

 

[Melloyellovector]

So pool lights do appear to change mode every time you turn them off and on. I can of course do it through the easy touch menu or as soon as I setup the scree logic interface so I can do it from my iPhone and iPad. The only sucky issue so far is the spa light is bad. Grrrrr.

Get to call Pentair on Monday for warranty fix. Lights were fine on install and were fine on initial startup but now keep throwing the GFI breaker. Pool light is fine. All wiring was double checked and was done correctly. Probably water started seeping into light or something.

I thought Pentair was the best. But I got the one bad apple. Sux.

You can configure lights to default to a color when turned on. In your ez touch settings
If set up correctly, and labeled correct
You should be able to go to lights, scroll down to configure, change lights to what you have, and change default to what color you want when turned on. Then when you want to change colors go back to lights and change to color you want or party mode etc.. For light color show. Pretty rare on lights to not work. Likely plaster guys knocked it around before setting and screwed it up ( it happens )
Warranty guy for your area 9095917323, cell 9098167323 Heath from h2o, hes out of chino hills, call him direct tell him Tim w SoCal pools told you to call. Likely he'll handle quicker going direct. He's also a boater and personal friend on mine

 

[VoodooMedMan]

You can configure lights to default to a color when turned on. In your ez touch settings
If set up correctly, and labeled correct
You should be able to go to lights, scroll down to configure, change lights to what you have, and change default to what color you want when turned on. Then when you want to change colors go back to lights and change to color you want or party mode etc.. For light color show. Pretty rare on lights to not work. Likely plaster guys knocked it around before setting and screwed it up ( it happens )
Warranty guy for your area 9095917323, cell 9098167323 Heath from h2o, hes out of chino hills, call him direct tell him Tim w SoCal pools told you to call. Likely he'll handle quicker going direct. He's also a boater and personal friend on mine

Yeah it's labeled and the stuff in EZ Touch is there.
I'm going to setup screen logic and play with it there.

I was posting for Vic who wants to upgrade. Since he wouldn't ha e controller.

Thanks for the warranty guy. I'll call him tomorrow. Thanks!!!

 

[GRADS]

Can you heat the spa without the jets on?

 

[Melloyellovector]

Can you heat the spa without the jets on?

Random, lol
What's the point of heating with out jets on? This isn't the Rockies or Alaska, where outside air effects heat times.

 

[GRADS]

Random, lol
What's the point of heating with out jets on? This isn't the Rockies or Alaska, where outside air effects heat times.

Because believe it or not I've had a lot of chicks in the hot tub that don't like the jets. Two pumps.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Can you heat the spa without the jets on?

I'm no expert. I'm just learning it all. But I would think so. Obviously the returns are the jets as well but at the equipment there is a spa bypass on the returns and then of course the spa jets and air line. All water flows through heater so it's just a matter of valves to heat pool or spa or both or have jets running at the same time.

Random, lol
What's the point of heating with out jets on? This isn't the Rockies or Alaska, where outside air effects heat times.

Maybe things are different in NorCal. I don't know. Hope the question is valid.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Because believe it or not I've had a lot of chicks in the hot tub that don't like the jets. Two pumps.

Why wouldn't it heat without jets and only one pump? I can post a close up pic of piping.

 

[GRADS]

Obviously the returns are the jets as well but at the equipment there is a spa bypass on the returns and then of course the spa jets and air line.

If they put a bypass in you're good.:thumbsup

 

[Melloyellovector]

If they put a bypass in you're good.:thumbsup

No, his bypass is from pool to spa, so spa overflows in pool mode
When in spa mode jets are on. He could how ever change spa mode to low speed so jets are weak, then in functions of ez touch set up a bunch of other speeds from tickle your back to reverse the flow on your digestive system, lol

And yes I hear ya, Iv got over 30 jets, I usually end up turning off one zone or more if in there for any amount if time.
My heat is on all leg jets, don't like it move your leg

Changing speed easiest. Otherwise he could add an actuator on airline w a 2 way valve. Push button, close air line, making jets returns w no air.

 

[GRADS]

No, his bypass is from pool to spa, so spa overflows in pool mode
When in spa mode jets are on. He could how ever change spa mode to low speed so jets are weak, then in functions of ez touch set up a bunch of other speeds from tickle your back to reverse the flow on your digestive system, lol

And yes I hear ya, Iv got over 30 jets, I usually end up turning off one zone or more if in there for any amount if time.
My heat is on all leg jets, don't like it move your leg

Changing speed easiest. Otherwise he could add an actuator on airline w a 2 way valve. Push button, close air line, making jets returns w no air.

Or just plumb it with a second pump.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Or just plumb it with a second pump.

Or just add all kinds of stuff until the pool cost more than the house. I like jets on in the spa. So does my wife. That's the only gal I need two pumps for.

I had a budget and am more than pleased with what I got for it. I upgraded what I wanted.

30 jets like MYV has sounds awesome. Out of my budget and my needs.

I have everything that will keep me from kicking myself for in six months or in a few years including my busted spa light.

Let's not make this about the cost to add a spa. That dead horse has been beaten. As with any construction you can go from basic to insane.

Seeing as how crap breaks I'm also happy to have less stuff to mess up. One of the reasons why I didn't add extra returns to bottom of the pool.

 

[CobraDave]

Just to give you an idea of how well these inline filter baskets work, this is after one week.



This is all crap that would have either been in the pump basket or filter. My pump basket was completely clean and running smooth.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Just to give you an idea of how well these inline filter baskets work, this is after one week.
View attachment 467681 View attachment 467682
View attachment 467683

This is all crap that would have either been in the pump basket or filter. My pump basket was completely clean and running smooth.

Nice. Glad to know that'll help. We did pull a bunch of bushes yesterday though. New plants replacing will undoubtedly be ones that don't put too much crap in pool.

With temp warm this week I might be jumping in this weekend. I'm sure it won't be long for me but the kids might stay in. You know how kids are.

 

[CobraDave]

Nice. Glad to know that'll help. We did pull a bunch of bushes yesterday though. New plants replacing will undoubtedly be ones that don't put too much crap in pool.

With temp warm this week I might be jumping in this weekend. I'm sure it won't be long for me but the kids might stay in. You know how kids are.

I jumped in yesterday after being in the spa. Just do it!

 

[CobraDave]

Water clearing up?

 

[VoodooMedMan]

I jumped in yesterday after being in the spa. Just do it!

I will. Just want to let all dust be gone so I don't make any marks.

Water clearing up?

Yes. Brushed this morning and only a little dust. I'll snap a pic at the right time. Yard looks good. Going to do some planting and the walls and patio covers and bar over the next couple months and will update but as far as pool it's pretty much done. Well except for getting the light fixed in the spa.

 

[X Hoser]

Nice. Glad to know that'll help. We did pull a bunch of bushes yesterday though. New plants replacing will undoubtedly be ones that don't put too much crap in pool.

With temp warm this week I might be jumping in this weekend. I'm sure it won't be long for me but the kids might stay in. You know how kids are.

Planted hibiscus around my pool one summer. They are beautiful with LOTS of flowers that die and end up in the pool. Pulled them out after one summer! Now hardly anything in my yard ends up in the pool. My neighbors Elms, Birch, Mexican Fan Palms, Queen Palms and eucalyptus trees are another story :grumble:

 

[wsuwrhr]

Planted hibiscus around my pool one summer. They are beautiful with LOTS of flowers that die and end up in the pool. Pulled them out after one summer! Now hardly anything in my yard ends up in the pool. My neighbors Elms, Birch, Mexican Fan Palms, Queen Palms and eucalyptus trees are another story :grumble:

Nothing better than a beer after work and sweeping the pool. I miss it.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

Nothing better than a beer after work and sweeping the pool. I miss it.

Dude...if you miss it so much you can bring over some beer and just sweep mine.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Dude...if you miss it so much you can bring over some beer and just sweep mine.

That's exactly my thought.

 

[Mr. C]

Ok ballers and your 4 -5 hundred dollar colored changing led lights Lol. Here's how I do it on the cheap. 12 bucks. I guess we will see how it works out. I had to replace oring because it was leaking so I figured why not try it. 90 watt 1050 lumens

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Ok ballers and your 4 -5 hundred dollar colored changing led lights Lol. Here's how I do it on the cheap. 12 bucks. I guess we will see how it works out. I had to replace oring because it was leaking so I figured why not try it. 90 watt 1050 lumens View attachment 468472 View attachment 468478

Good deal. I'm with you. Normally I'm cheap. Was a new build and I saved on so much I was able to do it and still be under my budget. Plus with the controller it's nice to have automated everything with what color I want or light shows.

 

[Mr. C]

Normally I like to think I'm frugal but in this case it's just cheap. [emoji1]. When I have the extra its new light for pool and jacuzzi which comes after the variable speed pump.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Normally I like to think I'm frugal but in this case it's just cheap. [emoji1]. When I have the extra its new light for pool and jacuzzi which comes after the variable speed pump.

FYI. Edison rebate on pumps. Get 200 back right now.

I filed for that and for 50 bucks back on my vacuum in another rebate from Pentair.

 

[djunkie]

FYI. Edison rebate on pumps. Get 200 back right now.

I filed for that and for 50 bucks back on my vacuum in another rebate from Pentair.

What pump did you go with? I'm working on replacing all my gross power users at my house. Only things left are the pool pump and A/C condensing unit. A/C's gonna have to wait but my 2-1/4hp pool pump is way overkill for what I've got.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

What pump did you go with? I'm working on replacing all my gross power users at my house. Only things left are the pool pump and A/C condensing unit. A/C's gonna have to wait but my 2-1/4hp pool pump is way overkill for what I've got.

Pentair Intelliflo VS

All the major variable speed brands and some off brands are on the Edison list.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Okay so here is a pic just now with the water all nice and clear after a week of plaster shed.

Excuse the Barron landscape. Ripped stuff out to put in plants that will go better with the pool.

Water is 65 right now so I might do my inaugural polar bear this afternoon when the boys get home from school.

I'll get you guys pics at night after the spa light is fixed. The ticket is created with Pentair and Heath from H20 should be calling me as soon as he gets the part to come fix it.

View attachment 468768

 

[zhandfull]

Okay so here is a pic just now with the water all nice and clear after a week of plaster shed.

Excuse the Barron landscape. Ripped stuff out to put in plants that will go better with the pool.

Water is 65 right now so I might do my inaugural polar bear this afternoon when the boys get home from school.

I'll get you guys pics at night after the spa light is fixed. The ticket is created with Pentair and Heath from H20 should be calling me as soon as he gets the part to come fix it.

View attachment 468768

Turned out real nice, like the water/plaster color too. Going to look bitchen with some landscaping.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Turned out real nice, like the water/plaster color too. Going to look bitchen with some landscaping.

Thanks yeah. I'll keep updating as we do work. Going to raise that back wall to obscure the older neighborhood view. Get some plants in and then do something about the wood fences.

Changing the patio covers to solid won't really change aesthetics except for being able to add lighting and ceiling fans etc.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

68 degree water right now. Bit chilly since it's not that hot out but was okay. Spa water is much warmer.

Can't wait until I can run heater and hang in spa.

Can't wait until it's super hot out and we can enjoy pool.

View attachment 468839
View attachment 468840

 

[HavasuHank]

Awesome!!! ... enjoy it bud. [emoji106]

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

68 is actually pretty good this time of year. Have to check mine see what it is. Surprised yours is that warm. Low to mid 70s is when it gets tolerable and ok on a hot day. A bubble cover would get that bad boy up close to 80 if you used one.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

68 is actually pretty good this time of year. Have to check mine see what it is. Surprised yours is that warm. Low to mid 70s is when it gets tolerable and ok on a hot day. A bubble cover would get that bad boy up close to 80 if you used one.

Actually got to 70 but the air temp started cooling down.

Remember the middle is the deepest at 5 feet. I'm standing in the deep end basically. And with the gray plaster that helps too. And I'm sure the water movement helps too since the warmer spa water is going on since I'm running 8-5 right now while things are starting up.

I'm going to take a serious look at the bubble cover for the purpose of extending the swim season. Just no need right now since I'd be removing and replacing everyday to brush and stuff.

Filter got cleaned today. But I don't know how all that plaster dust ended up in the gutter out front. Must be the neighbors pool.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

Actually got to 70 but the air temp started cooling down.

Remember the middle is the deepest at 5 feet. I'm standing in the deep end basically. And with the gray plaster that helps too. And I'm sure the water movement helps too since the warmer spa water is going on since I'm running 8-5 right now while things are starting up.

I'm going to take a serious look at the bubble cover for the purpose of extending the swim season. Just no need right now since I'd be removing and replacing everyday to brush and stuff.

Filter got cleaned today. But I don't know how all that plaster dust ended up in the gutter out front. Must be the neighbors pool.

Yea...with a shallow pool, you should be able to hold a good temp well. I've never had a bubble top in the 10 years we've been here. If my fam would use it more I would totally get one. With the way the weather has been the last several years... it would hold a good temp early and late in the season. Like April until Halloween easily.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Crap. I think my pump might have taken a dump already. Left for an hour and came home and the pool wasn't filtering. I tried playing around with stuff and couldn't get it back on manually or on program. Didn't have much time before I had to leave.

At least the Pentair service guy is coming tomorrow for the light so if it's gone to crap he can get it checked out and a ticket created.

Sucks. I thought Pentair was the best.

 

[Parker Dreamin]

He just installed Pentair on our new build. Keep me posted on your dealings.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

He just installed Pentair on our new build. Keep me posted on your dealings.

Will do.

 

[Melloyellovector]

Crap. I think my pump might have taken a dump already. Left for an hour and came home and the pool wasn't filtering. I tried playing around with stuff and couldn't get it back on manually or on program. Didn't have much time before I had to leave.

At least the Pentair service guy is coming tomorrow for the light so if it's gone to crap he can get it checked out and a ticket created.

Sucks. I thought Pentair was the best.

Pentair is the best in my opinion. If and when you do have a problem they tend to also be the best with actually taking care of things also. Not pointing fingers but light was likely plaster guys smacking it around during plaster, pump was likely user error. Welcome to owner builder issues, no one to call but yourself and scratch your head, lol
Regardless, if Heath going out for Wty on light he should be able to address any other issues you may or may not have.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Pentair is the best in my opinion. If and when you do have a problem they tend to also be the best with actually taking care of things also. Not pointing fingers but light was likely plaster guys smacking it around during plaster, pump was likely user error. Welcome to owner builder issues, no one to call but yourself and scratch your head, lol
Regardless, if Heath going out for Wty on light he should be able to address any other issues you may or may not have.

Yeah crap just happens. Just sucks. Was worth the huge savings.

Light was boxed up right until install by plaster but they coulda knocked it.

Pump maybe I'm just nuts and it's me but I've got a service guy so I haven't been messing with stuff. I start installing screen logic today but just configuration. Haven't controlled anything with it. Was going to have Heath or my service guy check settings.

Same stuff could happen with a contractor build. Same subs and same equipment. And depending on the contractor you'd get varying degrees of support from great from you I'm sure to poor from Blue whatever's I'm sure.

And either way Heath would be the warranty guy right?

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Okay great news. It was just a user error.

When I installed the screen logic controller then by default it has no settings setup for the pump. I set it up and put it to 1000 rpm and ran the pump manually and things started flowing.

So only bad equipment is the spa light.

I'm going to have to see if someone can dial in all the settings or I'll have to spend some time reading and on the phone with Pentair tech support to get it dialed in. Maybe my pool guy can help.

I just want to be able to go into app and press whatever buttons to make spa jets and heater work and also to make lights change colors.

Learning curve from a new guy. Guess it would have been easier with manual controls. Lol.

 

[paradise]

You'll like screenlogic a lot once you get it set up. Very simple to use.

They actually worked with ELAN to build the control interface (ELAN is our home automation control brand of choice). I think you'll find the configuration is pretty easy once you can wrap your head around pentair's naming scheme and what each different thing does (circuits vs features etc)

 

[VoodooMedMan]

You'll like screenlogic a lot once you get it set up. Very simple to use.

They actually worked with ELAN to build the control interface (ELAN is our home automation control brand of choice). I think you'll find the configuration is pretty easy once you can wrap your head around pentair's naming scheme and what each different thing does (circuits vs features etc)

Someone keeps following me around saying I'm the expert so I guess I should pick it up quick.

Thanks though. I think it'll be real nice. I just don't want to set things wrong and cause some issues with the plumbing.

 

[paradise]

Someone keeps following me around saying I'm the expert so I guess I should pick it up quick.

Thanks though. I think it'll be real nice. I just don't want to set things wrong and cause some issues with the plumbing.

Pretty hard to screw up. Pool and spa modes are basically prebuilt for you. All you have to do is make sure the switch on your valves is set the correct way.

Create a 'spillway' button that'll change the outlet valve to redirect all water to the spa and then set you variable speed pump to ramp up a little when that's active. Then you'll have to add a button for the spa jets. Lights are super easy too.

[emoji106]

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Pretty hard to screw up. Pool and spa modes are basically prebuilt for you. All you have to do is make sure the switch on your valves is set the correct way.

Create a 'spillway' button that'll change the outlet valve to redirect all water to the spa and then set you variable speed pump to ramp up a little when that's active. Then you'll have to add a button for the spa jets. Lights are super easy too.

[emoji106]

If you were closer I'd but you some beers to come do it. Lol

The spillway already does that when filtering but do I need to do create another setting?

I also don't know what RPM's. I just set it to 1000 to make sure it was working. I'll ask the guys tomorrow.

The Pentair authorized service guy is coming for the light and my pool guy is still in startup mode so he'll be by.

Service guy had setup the EasyTouch. I thought the controller was just an interface and would grab the settings that were already there. Seems it mostly did except for killing the pump info. I don't think I ever hit finish is the thing that sucks. I didn't want to jack anything up. I was going to wait for help. I just set weather stuff etc.

I'm sure it'll get dialed in easy enough

I don't have extra fancy stuff. One pump, salt system and heater and the two LED lights.

Filtration cycles are currently set and will be done by pool guy for now. So all I really need to be able to do is heat up spa and control jets, and control lights.

If I want to run the spa while swimming so it filters and produces chlorine I can just hit filter outside. If I need to pull vacuum I have to throw valve manually anyway.

Guess it would also be nice to run filter or do spillway mode as you say if that's a separate deal when we have company just for the looks and sound even if we aren't swimming.

<---- learning so I can be a better expert.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Learning learning learning.

Got all the screen logic stuff setup. Going to get schedules setup for best filtration. And I'll setup different rpm circuits for pump in spa mode so it can go from mild to ouch. Will setup the lighting control but wrong part or something so the guys coming tomorrow to fix now.

The whole pump thing was me being a dumb dumb. Set the pump rpm high and it spills over fine and runs the vacuum. Of course that's going to cost money so I'll ha w to figure out what times to run high for spa filtration and vacuum and the rest on low speed to keep pool water moving.

Anyhow nice to be out to dinner and hit this app to heat up spa.

View attachment 469460

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Spa light fixed. Thanks for the contact MYV. Yep Pentair is pretty slick and they handled the warranty quick with no hassle.

Heath couldn't find water in the light. He pulled the leads from the light and turned on switch and it still tripped. So he put in a new light and it was good to go.

Here's a pic with blue on. Looks the best to me with the grey plaster.

But this controller is awesome. I can hit any color or like six different built in light shows or... I can create custom ones on the computer.

Screen logic is ridiculous with what you can do. But I don't have too much to play with. Would be nuts with all kinds of different lights and water features etc etc. I imagine landscape lights through them are pricey or I'd have to integrate them too.

View attachment 469690

 

[j21black]

I'm just here for the pics.

There is some seriously cool shit in this thread..

Nicely done!