Hello all, I'm looking for recommendations on an aboveground pool package prior to purchase.
Pool: looking at 2 options, both are 8' x 15' x 52". Odd size I know, but it's as big as I can accommodate on my lot. My pool location is bounded by a 3’ retaining wall on one side, and a ground level deck on the other. The free space I have to work with is 13’ x 23’. Think this is enough space to set it up?
The two pools I’m looking at are:
1) Cameo oval pool - includes 20 gauge blue overlap liner, thru-wall skimmer & return fitting
Features:
- Sturdy 7" wide steel Krystal Kote top ledges and resin interlocking caps, resist bad weather, chlorinated water and constant wear
- Incorporates interlocking steel stabilizers at the top of the pool and a hardware free resin bottom cuff
- Durable 6" upright posts and resin foot collars
- Two piece resin caps and steel top ledges with "Krystal Kote" anti-corrosion sealant
- This oval system is supported with heavy steel beams and straps that run underneath the pool, eliminating the need for poles or braces protruding at each side of the pool.
- 52" high steel wall coated with a "Krystal Kote" finish to prevent corrosion from the weather elements and chlorinated chemicals
- Sleek Oval Yardmore space saving system saves much needed yard space
- Warranty: 40-year manufacturer's limited warranty
- Made in the USA
- Approximate inside (water) dimensions - 8' X 15' 6"
- Approximate outside dimensions (space required) - 9' 10" X 16' 6'
- Approximate Water Capacity - 2,800 Gallons
2) Signature RTL oval pool – includes 20 gauge blue overlap liner, thru-wall skimmer & return fitting – Cost is roughly $200 more than the cameo pool
Features:
- Sturdy 7" wide resin top ledges and resin interlocking caps, resist bad weather, chlorinated water and constant wear
- Durable 6" upright posts and resin foot collars
- The durable 6" uprights and heavy grade steel bottom tracks
- Interlocking aluminum stabilizers at the top of the pool and hardware-free resin bottom cuffs
- Warranted for semi-inground installation up to halfway (26 inches) in the ground
- 52" high steel wall coated with a "Krystal Kote" finish to prevent corrosion from the harsh weather elements and chlorinated chemicals
- Oval Yardmore space saving system saves much needed yard space
- Warranty: Manufacturer's 60-year limited warranty
- Made in the USA
- Approximate inside (water) dimensions - 8' X 15' 6"
- Approximate outside dimensions (space required) - 9' 10" X 16' 6'
- Approximate Water Capacity - 2,800 Gallons
Based on the above descriptions, these sound very close in design. The pictures look virtually identical. I don’t plan to bury it, which seems to be the selling point of the Signature RTL. Anything wrong with saving a couple bucks and going for the cameo? A 40 year warranty sounds decent enough. I really don’t know who manufactures these, so does it make a difference?
Now for options:
Liner: The base liner is 20-gauge. The cheapskate in many says upgrade to the 25 gauge blue liner for $50, but they do have some nice 25 gauge patterned options for $150 (available in both overlap and unibead). Is one better over the other?
Pump: This distributor doesn’t offer a whole lot of options on pumps/filters, and it’s priced separately, so I don’t really have an incentive to buy from them. The distributor is offering singe speed 1 and 1.5HP pumps. I know most people recommend a two-speed pump, but all the ones I can find seem overpowered for this size pool based on advice given in other threads. What rating and manufacturers should I be looking at? With my lot restrictions, I’d most likely be locating the pump/filter near the 8’ wide end of the pool. Any issue with water circulation doing this?
Filter: I'm thinking a simple sand filter would be most appropriate (size?). I don't really want to mess with salt due to the warranty implications. Any reason I should be looking at cartridge or DE? Ease of maintenance and decent water are priorities.
Ladder: Would need a ladder on the outside, and hopefully steps on the inside. At some point, I'd like to build a deck, without having to buy new steps, so hopefully there's a model where you can detach the ladder? Anybody have experience with this? This distributor sells the Confer step 1, which looks like it may work.
Cleaning gear: Do I need an automatic pool vac? Any recommendations?
For the install, I’m toying with the idea of using the rigid foam on the bottom with the foam cove base. The ground is pretty sandy with minimal rocks, but I would like a nice flat bottom.
Anything else I need to think about?
Many thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Pool: looking at 2 options, both are 8' x 15' x 52". Odd size I know, but it's as big as I can accommodate on my lot. My pool location is bounded by a 3’ retaining wall on one side, and a ground level deck on the other. The free space I have to work with is 13’ x 23’. Think this is enough space to set it up?
The two pools I’m looking at are:
1) Cameo oval pool - includes 20 gauge blue overlap liner, thru-wall skimmer & return fitting
Features:
- Sturdy 7" wide steel Krystal Kote top ledges and resin interlocking caps, resist bad weather, chlorinated water and constant wear
- Incorporates interlocking steel stabilizers at the top of the pool and a hardware free resin bottom cuff
- Durable 6" upright posts and resin foot collars
- Two piece resin caps and steel top ledges with "Krystal Kote" anti-corrosion sealant
- This oval system is supported with heavy steel beams and straps that run underneath the pool, eliminating the need for poles or braces protruding at each side of the pool.
- 52" high steel wall coated with a "Krystal Kote" finish to prevent corrosion from the weather elements and chlorinated chemicals
- Sleek Oval Yardmore space saving system saves much needed yard space
- Warranty: 40-year manufacturer's limited warranty
- Made in the USA
- Approximate inside (water) dimensions - 8' X 15' 6"
- Approximate outside dimensions (space required) - 9' 10" X 16' 6'
- Approximate Water Capacity - 2,800 Gallons
2) Signature RTL oval pool – includes 20 gauge blue overlap liner, thru-wall skimmer & return fitting – Cost is roughly $200 more than the cameo pool
Features:
- Sturdy 7" wide resin top ledges and resin interlocking caps, resist bad weather, chlorinated water and constant wear
- Durable 6" upright posts and resin foot collars
- The durable 6" uprights and heavy grade steel bottom tracks
- Interlocking aluminum stabilizers at the top of the pool and hardware-free resin bottom cuffs
- Warranted for semi-inground installation up to halfway (26 inches) in the ground
- 52" high steel wall coated with a "Krystal Kote" finish to prevent corrosion from the harsh weather elements and chlorinated chemicals
- Oval Yardmore space saving system saves much needed yard space
- Warranty: Manufacturer's 60-year limited warranty
- Made in the USA
- Approximate inside (water) dimensions - 8' X 15' 6"
- Approximate outside dimensions (space required) - 9' 10" X 16' 6'
- Approximate Water Capacity - 2,800 Gallons
Based on the above descriptions, these sound very close in design. The pictures look virtually identical. I don’t plan to bury it, which seems to be the selling point of the Signature RTL. Anything wrong with saving a couple bucks and going for the cameo? A 40 year warranty sounds decent enough. I really don’t know who manufactures these, so does it make a difference?
Now for options:
Liner: The base liner is 20-gauge. The cheapskate in many says upgrade to the 25 gauge blue liner for $50, but they do have some nice 25 gauge patterned options for $150 (available in both overlap and unibead). Is one better over the other?
Pump: This distributor doesn’t offer a whole lot of options on pumps/filters, and it’s priced separately, so I don’t really have an incentive to buy from them. The distributor is offering singe speed 1 and 1.5HP pumps. I know most people recommend a two-speed pump, but all the ones I can find seem overpowered for this size pool based on advice given in other threads. What rating and manufacturers should I be looking at? With my lot restrictions, I’d most likely be locating the pump/filter near the 8’ wide end of the pool. Any issue with water circulation doing this?
Filter: I'm thinking a simple sand filter would be most appropriate (size?). I don't really want to mess with salt due to the warranty implications. Any reason I should be looking at cartridge or DE? Ease of maintenance and decent water are priorities.
Ladder: Would need a ladder on the outside, and hopefully steps on the inside. At some point, I'd like to build a deck, without having to buy new steps, so hopefully there's a model where you can detach the ladder? Anybody have experience with this? This distributor sells the Confer step 1, which looks like it may work.
Cleaning gear: Do I need an automatic pool vac? Any recommendations?
For the install, I’m toying with the idea of using the rigid foam on the bottom with the foam cove base. The ground is pretty sandy with minimal rocks, but I would like a nice flat bottom.
Anything else I need to think about?
Many thanks in advance for your thoughts!
