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

[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!