I can't help you much but I'm interested in the answers.

But, off hand, it "seems to me" that several of the "hang on" systems used
for those relatively cheap above ground pools combined with the robot to
sweep up the bottom would provide essentially the same coverage as a pool
with build in drains to a central pump/filter house.

Since you are talking "large" you are definitely beyond using the throwaway
filters. You want/need sand and/or diatom filters. I believe I have seen
sand filters for larger above ground pools so they may be your answer. When
you have extra use, you can run the 2nd/3rd filter and when the party is
over you can clean the most used filter.

In the filter game, it's usually better to run 27/7 with a small filter than
"cycle" a larger filter. You may well find that only running one
pump/filter (w/robot) keeps you water in good conditions.

I assume you attend to the chemistry of the pool.


"scorpster" wrote in message
...
There's a large concrete swimming pool at my mom's house that needs
refurbishing, and I'd like to help her bring it back into use. Drain the
water, clean out debris, acid wash, ok sounds relatively simple and cheap
so far. Except the part I'm worried about is the filtration system. It
is very old and rusted in the pool room and I doubt it works. So I can
better "visualize the cost" of this project and keep the cost manageable I
figure I'll use a pool cleaning robot instead to suck up leaves and dirt
that fall inside. But can these things do the whole job in a large pool?
Can they keep up with keeping the pool clean without excessive
maintenance? What is considered the best model these days as a filter
system replacement?