Above ground pool install pics

steveinaz

Once you get the basics absorbed--we'll move into higher chlorine levels to offset the CYA. (Best guess chart method). This method does away with the long out dated "1-3ppm" chlorine levels as it takes into account CYA levels, and their effects on chlorine effectiveness. (BTW, 1-3ppm would be fine for an indoor pool with no CYA).

Ron-P

Cool, thanks for all the tips guys. I know they'll come in handy. I'll no more of what I'm into when I can get into the box and see what this thing comes with and doesn't.

steveinaz

It's not nearly as complex as it sounds. Just be careful of the pool store, they love to sell you chemicals that create more problems than they solve.

One of my favorites: "Water Clarifier"
How about just practicing correct pool care, and your pool will sparkle all by itself. Hazy water is an indication of a REAL problem.

Jstas

Water clarifier is really only for stuff like hot tubs and spas where the churning of the water and heated water can actually get cloudy because the necessary chemicals in those to stop microbial growth can clump up. Clarifier shouldn't be used in pools unless it's a heated pool like an indoor pool.

And you can't use pool chemicals in a spa/hot tub because they are stronger concentrations and can aerosolize or whatever they call it when the chemicals become airborne in water vapor or through the natural atomization process that occurs with churning water.That's why they make chemicals specifically for spas.

For a cold water pool, water clarifier does nothing. Might as well take the $40 you're going spend and throw it right in the water.

steveinaz

Exactly. They love to peddle those products. Nothing goes in my pool but stabilizer and muriatic acid.

steveinaz

Here's a video I did addressing high Total Alkalinity, and racheting it down with muriatic acid and aireation. See the comments for more in depth explanation (basically out-gassing co2, thereby raising pH to normal levels by aireating):

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6iqBszKxsPc&quot; frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ron-P

Got the email info Steve, thanks!

tonyb

Steve is handing out some great advice Ron. I know the chemical thing can get confusing for first timers, but it is a must to understand if you don't want to swim in green slime. Also you two come from similiar climates. Here in the midwest, we have winter, opening and closing pools, pain in the arse. There is no set and forget method of keeping a pool clean, but there are ways to minimize the time spent doing it and Steve has got you on that path. Good luck with everything.

steveinaz

You bet Ron, thanks Tony for the kind words...

Pools are one of those things that can get away from you in a hurry if you don't spend a little time keeping them up.

jgido759

I installed an above ground pool last year (15' x 48", approx 5K gallons). Living in NJ we only really get pool weather from Memorial Day until about 2-3 weeks after Labor Day.

I usually super clorinate the pool when I remove the cover in the beginning of the season and use a combination of liquid chlorine & tablets throughout the season. The Ph seems to handle itself (I do check it regularly) as I've never had to add any chemicals to balance it.

My filter can filter approx. 8K gallons per hr. so I run it only 2 hrs per night, every other night and when we have a lot of people in the pool (which is not very often). I also vacuum once a week.

Water is crystal clear and haven't really had any issues.

Good luck Ron and enjoy your new pool.

Ron-P

Assembly has begun.

I finished clearing so the pool is 100% on dirt then spread a couple inch layer of sand, laid the ground tarps out and the pool is getting framed up now. Just my luck too, my opening kit showed up this morning so I can get her ready for some night swimming if all goes well.

I'll get some pics up soon.

steveinaz

Wicked, can't wait for the pics!

maximillian

Ron-P wrote: »

Assembly has begun.

I finished clearing so the pool is 100% on dirt then spread a couple inch layer of sand, laid the ground tarps out and the pool is getting framed up now. Just my luck too, my opening kit showed up this morning so I can get her ready for some night swimming if all goes well.

I'll get some pics up soon.

Sorry to disappoint you, but the water might be freezing by tonight. Also, it may take several hours to a day to fill.

Good luck with the pool install!

steveinaz

Good point...it took us almost exactly 36hrs to fill our 13,000 gallon pool. Fill water is usually around 72 degrees, that's pretty darn chilly. I shouldn't whine though, we do the polar bear swim every New Years day, and the water is about 44 degrees!!

maximillian

We had ours trucked in since 1) the town discouraged using town water, and 2) my water has considerable iron content. It took 30 minutes for 9K gallons (already had 7" of water). The 7 inches took like 6 hours using the tap. I would imagine Ron-P's pool could be filled within half a day, but then it will take a day or two to warm up. That's where a solar cover comes in handy.

Ron-P

Guys, this thing is only 1,700 gallons, it was the biggest pool I could fit in my back yard without major demo to my yard (which I will never do, for a pool). The water has been flowing for 1 hour and the pool is half full, one more hour to go and she's ready.

Ron-P

Now I just need some camouflage ideas to hide that big blue beast.

steveinaz

Mix up those Margaritas! Sweet.

I thought your bamboo/reed idea was cool.

Disc Jockey

steveinaz wrote: »

I thought your bamboo/reed idea was cool.

As did I.

steveinaz

I wanna see pics of you in that bad-boy!

gdb

Cover it with paper mache` and paint a "theme" mural. Topless mermaids cavorting would be my choice!:biggrin: A free-standing sun deck would hide it too.

maximillian

Looks good. You may need layers of covering. Perhaps start with landscape or other outdoor fabric that is black or brown. Then you can add more decorative coverings of your liking.

Ron-P

Yeah, the reed exterior is going to happen, wife wants to do that tomorrow, not sure I have the energy for that but we'll see.

We've been in it for a couple of hours...I look like a prune. But damn is it FANTASTIC!!!

Ron-P

How, or what type of chlorine do you guys use; liquid, tablets with a floater or powder? So far, the chemical thing is quite easy.

gdb

If it's dissolve rate works for your application, the easiest way is a tablet/s dropped in the skimmer trap. The filter pump does the rest.

steveinaz

Unless you can find pucks that don't contain CYA, I'd use bleach. Otherwise your CYA levels will eventually be too high. Did you put any stabilizer (CYA) in yet?

disneyjoe7

Since stabilizer is used to keep chlorine in the water, I dout you can find pucks without CYA. And yes don't add any stabilizer if you're using pucks.

Ron-P

Right now I'm using a powder that came with my opening kit and no, I have not added any stabilizer.

tonyb

Sunlight, which you have plenty of, will suck the chlorine out of the water which is why a stabalizer is needed.

Ron-P

Ok, is that what it is called, just ask for stabilizer? I did notice that my chlorine levels drop fast.