This is my first post, but my DH is always on this forum. We are in the design stage of a new pool in the Caribbean. We have never built a pool before, but just recently completed construction on our home. So our next project is to complete our pool and would appreciate any information or assistance we can get. It will be an elevated pool off the patio outside the living and family rooms. Here are the specs so far:

Size: 30' x 25' L-shaped

1.5hp Tristar 2 speed pool pump

Hayward DE6020 Filter

Goldline Salt Chlorine Generator

AquaLogic PS-8 control

2 Skimmers

2 Main drain

2 Color Logic LEDs

Solar heater kit

diamond bright

Budgeted US$30k

We already have a deck that is 50' x 10' in front of the pool area, but in an effort to keep cost down we are trying to decide whether to put in a 30' x 6' deck on the backside of the pool or to put a wall with a water feature. This will be solely for entertainment purposes.

We are considering solar heating, but have little to no information about pool solar heating. We already have solar panels for our main water heater, but the local installers are not familiar with the solar panels used for pools in Florida. Most pools are not commonly heated in St. Lucia. However, we do have friends with pools who do not use their pools very often because, contrary to most beliefs, it does get cool at least four months of the year and it is not possible to use the pool if it is not heated.

Diamond bright is the finish for most pools in the Caribbean, but we have read about Pebbletec and need to know the pros and cons of them.

Any help and comments will be welcomed.

Thank you

MCM