Tobeornot
Currently negotiating whether to install a pool or not. This size we a currently considering is 9 x5mtres. Would any one mind offering some information in regards to a good quality pool pump and the best location for a pool pump to be located.The contractor we have been talking to suggested putting the pump underground.... I was a bit surprised with this suggestion though I know it does happen. The location of where he wants to put it is exactly where I wanted to put a gazebo (sad face) I really want my gazebo in that location. He suggested that the gazebo could go over the top of the underground house for the pool filter... has anyone experienced or seen something like this before?My concern would be how would maintenance on the filter be carried out.... his response his man can go inside no problem... and what happens if and when we have to take the filter out for service or replacement again no problem...My next concern was how high of he the ground would I have to build the gazebo to give enough access to the house for filter? Hope you understand what I mean.I am thinking maybe I should negotiate the house for the pool pump being put somewhere else, put does it need to be within a certain distance to the pool?Any information anyone can offer will be taken on board.Cheers in advanceTobeornot
Markit
[ATTACH]2455.vB[/ATTACH]This is one Gazebo (Bale Begong) I build over the pumps and filters for the pool. It's raised about a meter and uses a falloff of the land on the right side to give access to the pumps and filters in an enclosure about 1 meter square. This pool uses a tank that comprises about a 1/3 of the pool contents for "overlfow". Make sure you make you leaf filters or overflow "with" the prevailing wind direction i.e. if the wind usually blows from east to west then make your catchment on the west side of the pool - the wind then blows all the rubbish in the right direction. The pumps and overflow tank need to be as close to the pool as possible. If you are building an entire house also bear in mind that you will be needing a bunch of other water pumps so this is also a good place to house those. Old Floridian rule - "build the biggest pool you can afford, you will be grateful later on". An Oz friend build his "pool" no bigger than a glorified jacuzzi because he didn't (personally) want much of a pool - all his guests, friends and visitor bitch constantly about the pool and he's now considering expanding - very expensive!
davita
Again, unintentionally, I have to agree with markit...:cat:My friend in Umelas has exactly what you are describing...his 'bale-bale' is about 1/2 meter off the ground and underneath, thru' a hatch, has access to the pool pump, filter and plumbing.....very neat.I'd want any bale-bale to be 'off' the ground and termite protected.
ronb
I agree that such a setup is usually good. But I had a beach-front place in Lovina with this setup and in a torrential downpour the river behind flooded through the property to the beach and in the process flooded the pump room causing some damage.
no.idea
Bugger the silly idea of putting the pump underground. This idea of putting a gazebo over the pump is also bloody silly. Why make life hard for yourself. Imagine crawling under the gazebo every time you need to vacuum the pool.The pump house does not have to be very big. My mate has a pump house that is built to resemble a very fancy kennel. This has double doors for easy access to all the valves. At my place we have a pump installed about 1.5 metres below the ground. This is a silly bloody idea. We are close to the beach so in the heavy rains, the ground water rises up to the pump.Also please do not let them talk you into using a ballast tank, this is another silly idea that is is common use here.Keep in mind the people building your pool do not swim so have no idea about the correct depths of pools. My pool is 19 metres long. The deep end is 2.7 metres deep. I have never had someone stay at my place who is tall enough to stand there.We have 7,000 tourists a year stay with us and swim in our pool. The section that is 1.2 metres deep is the area most commonly used.Make sure you have a bench seat along one side so you can sit there and have a beer.If you need some advice and have cheese plus beer, I will bring my loud mouthed Pommie mate (Markit) around for a chat. Do not worry that he speaks with an American accent, he is a bloody Pom.
no.idea
[ATTACH]2458.vB[/ATTACH]Digging the pool. 1989
Markit
The idea of the over-flow pool or "infinity pool" as it's romantically known is an esthetic choice (for Ozzy bounders - "pretty") and some of us love the sound of water falling - other than that absolutely no use whatsoever but does require a balancing tank (ballast tank, I believe, is in a submarine). Some of the other things No.idea says hold true but only if you build where the water level goes up or down that much and the water table is that close to the surface - for instance if you build on the Bukit your water table will have to come up about 40 meters to flood your pump house. Unless you are gonna have diving competitions you won't need it any deeper than 1.5 meters and the idea of seating for beers aint all bad either. If you invite me and no.idea around you will need nerves of carbon fiber, eskies full of beer and ... cheese, lots of lovely cheese. But it will save you millions. If you survive it...
no.idea
On the other hand I am happy with a small amount of cheese and lots of beer. I will bring my mate Eddie along as well. He knows nothing about pools but likes beer.
Tobeornot
I thank you all for your information and I have will take your advice on board. I must admit that I also get a great laugh out of your comments to each other you have a great sense of humor and enjoy your stirring. Markit the photo of your Gazebo is exactly what the pool man was talking about can they access it easily and how do you go about getting it out for maintenance. The pool size we are considering is 9x5 metres so no that big really, I was hoping for a bigger pool but the land is just not wide enough. Are you able to recommend a make of pump for the pool as maybe approximate cost I have heard that some are a lot better than others.Thanks again for your input and helping to have a laugh a day.
Tobeornot
Oops meant to say, the Eskie and beer wont be a problem as my friends are all enjoy a beer/s
Markit
It's been there for 6 years and never do maintenance - did it once, years ago and it cost me a fecking fortune and I had to have the pump repaired afterwards. As to access- my guy is Balinese and Alit (means little). Recommend you get yourself an Alit too. He has to squeeze in and do his stuff but if you saw his home you'd understand why he'd happily live in the pump house.Oh and Ron (no.idea) does have a mate called Eddy it's true, but they've usually got their hands up each others backsides so I'm not really sure which one is puppet and which is puppeteer. Or maybe both of them are just going rainbowish...
Tobeornot
Thanks again Markit i will keep planning and look for my own Alit.
