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Lionel Edriess
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In a previous incarnation, I spent some years working as a pool 'technician' and a labourer for a pool builder. I gained a lot of knowledge regarding pool chemistry, filtration, plumbing and the various types of pool finishes.
Although this advice is dated as far as the technology goes (it dates from the '80's), in my experience the best ideas are those that last the longest in practice - and that would apply to pools.
The fellow I worked for, in Cairns, specialised in sprayed concrete pools with a pebble finish. He, and I, considered a sand filtration system with a salt-water chlorinator to be the best, and least hassle-free, option. Steer clear of fibreglass pools because they often have trouble with osmosis and they have a tendency to pop out of the ground if left empty. Sprayed concrete pools have the advantage of free-form, which means they are adaptable to shape and size.
The salt concentration in a domestic pool is approximately that of a human tear. Chlorine is added to the pool by the breakdown of the salt by electrolysis, which means that salt must be added occasionally.
As with all pools, regular maintenance is a must, as is attention to water chemistry. However, the combination mentioned above is possibly the best option for a domestic pool.
Solar heating works well but you get what you pay for with these systems. One system I've seen was mounted on a pergola over the shallow end of the pool, an arrangement that also provided shade for the kids in the heat of the summer.
My advice - do your research and don't try to skimp on costs. A smaller pool of better quality will be better than a large cheap pool.
Hope this helps.
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