kdoonan said:
I just ordered an Intex Ultra Frame 16' x 48". It should arrive next week. I'll start digging the ground this weekend. I would love an Intex only forum. I had to dig through so many posts to learn about the pool. I'm so nervous about setting this pool up. Any help from more experienced veterans would be fantastic!
I posted this in another area but I think that you might like it.
Steps that I used to create my origninal pool area:
1. Choose area, use a can of marking paint to paint a circle 2' larger that your pool. ie 18' pool = a 20' circle.
2. Cut sod off and dispose of. (if you do not do this it rots and stinks terrible)
3. Attached a 4' level to a 10' 2" x 6" pegged to the middle of the circle.
4. Swing board in a circle trimming away any high spots and filling in any low spots.
5. Tamped entire area with a hand tamper. (lots of work, rent a plate compactor it goes alot faster and not as hard on the back and shoulders.)
6. Put down 1 1/2" or 2" styrofoam (the pink stuff). Tape the seams with Gorilla tape. Cover it all with a HD tarp. (don't use the tarp that they send with the pool, get a good HD one)
7. Setup pool, place 1 1/2" or 2" pavers/patio blocks under the legs.
8. Fill pool with 2-3" of water and smooth all wrinkles out.
Thanks so much! I read this elsewhere and thought it was fantastic. I do have a question for you. I was thinking of ordering Liner Shield of styrofoam. How much does styrofoam cost? I've also got a really unlevel yard. I'm probably going to have to dig 24 inches out on one side. I think I might add an extra foot on that side and have my husband put up a small retaining wall to keep the dirt back.
9. Fill up the pool with the rest of the water.
10. Test water with your new TFTest kit (you did order one right?) use results on The Pool Calculator and add BBB (if needed) to your Pool.
ENJOY THE POOL!!!!
Mike
PS, I did eliminate a few steps. Like go to store buy beer. Go to store buy AsperCreme for the aching muscles. Go to store buy more beer. LOL
PS here are some pics of my build last year,
http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss119/mcoonan/Pool/
I will be updating the pics this weekend as I now have installed a skimmer and some more plumbing.
THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!!!