Help me pick out a pool for this summer

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bkp22

Well-known member
May 8, 2023
52
Kentucky
The last two pools I've done have been the summer waves 14' round 48" deep. While I have enjoyed them, the last one had a manufacturing defect last summer causing a seam rip and I lost an entire month out of the peak of the summer season and I was pretty bummed. 30 day warranty sadly, so I just had to take the loss.

Right after that I looked @ Intex and I found the perfect pool. It was 15' round 52" deep with a 2-year warranty.

Now it's......gone from their site??? I really liked that one, I feel like the extra couple inches in depth would go a long way.

You can get 52" in much larger pools but I don't have the space.

In a 16' round or less size, what should I be looking at, preferably in 52" depth? And not blue exterior!!

Also, I noticed that there are some permanent pools in these size ranges that are within my budget (ideally under 2k) but then right next to them on the site will be an identical pool for 3k more. Would it be possible to get into a permanent pool that will last me a few years under 3k out the door? That might be something I would look into.

Thanks!
 
Definitely look for a 16’ as its more likely to come in a taller wall height.
i liked my summer waves because it came with a skimmer (i was scared to cut in my own) but now that wouldn’t sway me so much as I have more confidence.
Check out bestway & coleman as well as intex. They are all about the same construction wise. Lots of different liner designs (wicker, grey, etc.)
For permanent above grounds- There are several 15’ options on the pool factory for $3k or less. If you’re planning on going with a swcg now ir in the future you want one that allows that. The prices shown are without pump & filter but they have many options to choose from for reasonable cost if you prefer a package.
many people here have had good experiences with the pool factory & diy’d their own pools.
*Installing a permanent above ground pool & vinyl liner is a bit more involved than erecting a temporary style pool.
You also may need more dirt work/sand for a permanent above ground pool install as well as bonding & electrical work / permits required etc. so take that into consideration as they cost 💲too.
 
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I'm starting to narrow down my choices.

Question: how important is the skimmer? I'm seeing a lot more options, and better pools if I'm willing to forgo a skimmer and just use a normal filter.

And yes I'm aware you can cut and install a skimmer but I can't gamble the money on doing that, especially since replacement liners are apparently out of stock permanently for most companies.
 
I assume we’re only talking about “temporary style pools” here.
I really appreciated my built in skimmers on my intex/temporary style pools.
You can also always add a floating skimmer if a pool doesn’t come with one.
You definitely want a sand filter (the biggest you can get) & we generally advise using a separate swcg instead of a combo unit so if 1 of the 2 dies you can just replace it independently.
 
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Okay well I purchased a Intex 16x48 with no skimmer and sand filter. Couldn't find anything that ticked all the boxes but this seemed like the best overall pool. I've been cutting down trees near the pool area so hopefully that will help with debris sans skimmer.

That said the pool arrived damaged and I sent it back. Ordered a second one from home depot that will come R&L freight and not via sketchy albanians from amazon.com.
 
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bkp22 said:
Also, I noticed that there are some permanent pools in these size ranges that are within my budget (ideally under 2k) but then right next to them on the site will be an identical pool for 3k more. Would it be possible to get into a permanent pool that will last me a few years under 3k out the door? That might be something I would look into.
Click to expand...
I did a metal AGP with the cheapest possible components and I am happy with it. $1200 steel 18', $100 liner, $100-200 for base foam (I would use sand next time), $50 skimmer set, and I didn't cheap out on the equipment maybe $800 for a Hayward pump and filter combo.

That was all 2020 prices, but stuff isn't so much more now, things have settled down.

The big hurdle of a permanent pool is then you will be obligated to install an electrical bonding ring as well which is an additional complication. I swam in it for a year just relying on GFCI but I did eventually get a water bond and install the ring of copper wire.
 
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Mdragger88 said:
The intex ones are the way to go if you’re unsure about a permanent pool.
Many get years of enjoyment out of them.
Be sure to read this before beginning the installation

How to level above ground pool - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

& of course
Pool Care Basics
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This is actually my third soft-sided pool so I mostly know what I'm doing. Previous two were summer waves.

My first year I was about 4" off level but the second year I got the level to about 1". I imagine this year it will be at or below that.

BTW what is a good cheap source for those foam mats people use to put underneath their pools?
 
I have the Bestway/Coleman powersteel 16’x10’x42. I woukd like a little deeper but it serves its purpose. I added an Intex sand filter, a Hayward skimmer and converted all the inlet/outlets to 1 1/2 inch. Its been a great pool.
 

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Every inch counts. I'd kill to go to 52" but sadly I cannot accommodate a round pool that large in my area.

I'm curious how my new 48" intex will stack up to my 48" summer waves. Reading the manual shows that you fill up to the top edge (where the pattern ends), whereas with the skimmer on the summer waves it was several inches below the same point due to the water level requirements of the skimmer.

If I can get another 4-6" inches on a """""48 inch"""" pool, I'll be ecstatic.

Been working on ground prep. Nuking weeds, cutting out more space as my new pool is 2' large in diameter. I'm gonna keep leveling, flooding, leveling over the next couple weeks until I get a calm sunny day to put the pool up. Can't wait!

Anyone have a recommendation for a clamp-on table that can hold a small cooler? Last year I built a table out of wood and while it worked great I'd prefer to just buy something if possible.
 
Without a built in skimmer you will have much more play in the water level.
As for a table, what about one of the smaller lifetime types. I saw a hack just the other day where you cut some pvc and slip it on the legs to make it taller. For years I just used a small patio table near the equipment so I could sit my stuff on & underneath the table.
When I got my large pool before my deck was built, I used a table from our shop that was made of an old steel door on top of two unusually tall saw horses. It was an awkward table for normal use but it worked great behind the pool & wasn’t visible from the front
 
Worked on some ground prep today.

1.jpg

This spot has had at least 4 soft-sided pools on it but possibly more. It's both ideal and difficult to work with. The dirt is as hard as concrete from years of compaction, and to make matters worse it has a lot of rocks in it.

My basic process is to use a square shovel to roughly grade, then go back over with a rake, then flood. Rinse and repeat. I'll do this process 5 more times probably before putting the pool in.

2.jpg

Pretty flat. I'd say I'm within 1" or less all the way around. I'm going with a 2' larger pool that before so I'm right at the edge of the hill. I think since the ground is so solid I can get away with it.


3.jpg

Yeah this looks excellent. Ignore the left side as the pool won't be sitting on much of that area. I'll cut drains in on the downhill side once I'm done, but for now it's great for holding the water in.

Went ahead and unboxed the pool and loaded it up ready to bring over to the site. I'm thinking I'll set it up by the 21st or so. Just need to wait for weather conditions to cooperate. I need several dry hot days in a row to firm up the soil and then I need calm sun to smooth out the liner.

Very impressed with the XTR Intex hardware. Leaps and bounds ahead of the summer waves stuff.
 
Can someone help me out on setting the CYA level on this pool? It's 5k gallons so I'm guessing I need a 1gal jug and most of it needs to go in (maybe all)?

What I am unclear about is do different CYA liquids have varying ppm or are they all the same? I think I can figure the math out otherwise.
 
bkp22 said:
Can someone help me out on setting the CYA level on this pool? It's 5k gallons so I'm guessing I need a 1gal jug and most of it needs to go in (maybe all)?

What I am unclear about is do different CYA liquids have varying ppm or are they all the same? I think I can figure the math out otherwise.
Click to expand...
Use
PoolMath
If you are going to use liquid cya you need to use the entire bottle & rinse it well several times in the pool or you may not get the expected results.
1 gallon would be a bit much unless you plan to use a swcg -
FC/CYA Levels
IMG_9667.png
For lesser amounts use the appropriate amount of dry/granular stabilizer
 
bkp22 said:
Okay, so just over half a gallon perhaps.

And are all liquid brands the same concentration? I guess so since the calculator doesn't have a brand selection.
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Only Use a whole gallon of liquid cya at a time. Otherwise you’ll get weird results as it globs up & sticks in the bottle.
75 ppm is essentially 80 as far as cya is concerned so if that is what you’re aiming for then just use the 1 gallon.
Yes-they are all the same concentration.
Anytime you need less than that amount use the dry stuff.
The liquid is also like twice as expensive as the dry/granular.
 
Alright I guess I should use the granules then. 80 seems a bit high.

Did some more ground prep today:

photo_2024-04-14_10-59-53.jpg

I'm at the point of diminishing returns now. Mostly just waiting for the right weather conditions to put the pool up, which could be a couple days or a couple weeks.
 
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Nope not bothering with salt. I've never minded the chlorine process. If I ever upgrade to a permanent pool I'll definitely do salt though.

I've been looking at the in-ground pool kits and they're pretty compelling. Seems like 8k for the kit and then I can buy a mini-excavator for 6k and get the lion's share of the entire project done by myself for under 20 which is extremely compelling.
 

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