International Swimming Pool Construction Consultant and Expert Witness discusses why a vanishing edge swimming pool requires a dedicated edge pump and filter.
Cleanliness
The edge of an infinity pool functions as a gigantic skimmer weir. A normal pool with in-wall skimmers only has 8 INCHES of skimmer weir (per skimmer). A vanishing edge pool may have 20 to 50 FEET of skimming weir.
When the pool is in the "spill-over" mode, all of the debris in the pool flows over the edge. This explains why the catch basin is always full of leaves, bugs and dirt. The infinity edge is actually a gigantic weir skimming the surface debris.
Without a dedicated filter on the vanishing edge pump this debris would be ground up and recirculated into the upper pool. A negative edge pool without a filter on the edge pump turns cloudy the instant this debris is blown back into the upper pool.
Who wants to swim in a cloudy pool full of ground up bugs, worms, tree frogs and leaves?
Energy Efficiency
Filtration of the pool can usually be performed with a small energy efficient pump. Usually a 1/2 to 1 horsepower pump is sufficient. Large volumes of moving water are not necessary. Water clarity is improved at slower velocities with longer filtration cycles (longer run times).
The pumps required to create the "flooded edge" effect are usually much larger than what is required to merely filter the pool. Pumps of 2 to 5 horsepower are not uncommon.
To design a vanishing edge pool, that combines the edge pump and primary filtration system into one system is foolhardy. Though $5,000 - $7,500 might be saved on the initial project cost, the expense of operating this larger pump to filter the pool will quickly exceed any initial cost savings.
The edge pump really only needs to operate for two hours daily, when the pool is in use or when the flooded edge effect is desired. Therefore excess energy will be consumed daily, to merely achieve the necessary filtration turnover rate.
Don't step over dollars to pick up pennies!
Paolo Benedetti
Aquatic Artist, Watershape Consultant, Expert Witness
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com
Cleanliness
The edge of an infinity pool functions as a gigantic skimmer weir. A normal pool with in-wall skimmers only has 8 INCHES of skimmer weir (per skimmer). A vanishing edge pool may have 20 to 50 FEET of skimming weir.
When the pool is in the "spill-over" mode, all of the debris in the pool flows over the edge. This explains why the catch basin is always full of leaves, bugs and dirt. The infinity edge is actually a gigantic weir skimming the surface debris.
Without a dedicated filter on the vanishing edge pump this debris would be ground up and recirculated into the upper pool. A negative edge pool without a filter on the edge pump turns cloudy the instant this debris is blown back into the upper pool.
Who wants to swim in a cloudy pool full of ground up bugs, worms, tree frogs and leaves?
Energy Efficiency
Filtration of the pool can usually be performed with a small energy efficient pump. Usually a 1/2 to 1 horsepower pump is sufficient. Large volumes of moving water are not necessary. Water clarity is improved at slower velocities with longer filtration cycles (longer run times).
The pumps required to create the "flooded edge" effect are usually much larger than what is required to merely filter the pool. Pumps of 2 to 5 horsepower are not uncommon.
To design a vanishing edge pool, that combines the edge pump and primary filtration system into one system is foolhardy. Though $5,000 - $7,500 might be saved on the initial project cost, the expense of operating this larger pump to filter the pool will quickly exceed any initial cost savings.
The edge pump really only needs to operate for two hours daily, when the pool is in use or when the flooded edge effect is desired. Therefore excess energy will be consumed daily, to merely achieve the necessary filtration turnover rate.
Don't step over dollars to pick up pennies!
Paolo Benedetti
Aquatic Artist, Watershape Consultant, Expert Witness
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com
ReplyDeleteDo you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to
your blog? My website swimming pool cover is in the very same niche as yours and my visitors would definitely benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Regards!