New Pool equipment check

Jump to latest Follow Reply
ilikebike

ilikebike

0
May 13, 2013
9
Southern California
Hello everyone,

I've lurked around this forum for a few years and found lots of the information helpful. We're finally upgrading our above-ground pool from a small, 30" inflatable to a larger 9ft x 18ft x 4ft rectangular Bestway pool, specifically this one: Bestway Power Steel 18' x 9' x 48" Rectangular Frame Swimming Pool Set with Pump, Ladder and Cover - Walmart.com

I'm gathering a list of a few things I'm looking to upgrade when we put this guys up and want your opinions on what I'm looking at:

Intex Sand Filter, 14in 2800GPH
Intex Saltwater System, 7000gal
Hayward in-wall pool skimmer

We have a level concrete pad already poured from another pool we had a while ago. I'm also planning on putting down some of the foam interlocking floor mats I have from our old pool or just putting down xps foam instead.

Would that filter and saltwater system be sufficient? The pool is roughly 5000 gallons. Also what adapters, if necessary, would I need to connect to new filter to the existing outlets/skimmer?

Thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: splashpad
ilikebike said:
Hello everyone,

I've lurked around this forum for a few years and found lots of the information helpful. We're finally upgrading our above-ground pool from a small, 30" inflatable to a larger 9ft x 18ft x 4ft rectangular Bestway pool, specifically this one: Bestway Power Steel 18' x 9' x 48" Rectangular Frame Swimming Pool Set with Pump, Ladder and Cover - Walmart.com

I'm gathering a list of a few things I'm looking to upgrade when we put this guys up and want your opinions on what I'm looking at:

Intex Sand Filter, 14in 2800GPH
Intex Saltwater System, 7000gal
Hayward in-wall pool skimmer

We have a level concrete pad already poured from another pool we had a while ago. I'm also planning on putting down some of the foam interlocking floor mats I have from our old pool or just putting down xps foam instead.

Would that filter and saltwater system be sufficient? The pool is roughly 5000 gallons. Also what adapters, if necessary, would I need to connect to new filter to the existing outlets/skimmer?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
  • Having JUST done this :D I can help!
    • Make sure to position the pool so the inlets/outlets are in the correct place you want to install the equipment.
  • The Intex filter and/or SWG should come with an Intex RETURN/outlet (which you can trace inside the nut to replace the bestway outlet on the pool).
  • The Wall Skimmer will have an adapter that will accept either the cheap bestway hose OR preferably replace with Intex hoses (you will need to purchase a stainless steel hose clamp)
    • The skimmer is mounted & cut in as high as possible AFTER the pool is filled (less chance of damaging the vinyl), you only use a razor blade to trim the inside square of vinyl for the skimmer.
    • You can mount it as high as you feel comfortable,
      • we opt to not screw into the seam, but that is personal comfort level
      • there are several that have mounted it directly under the rail
      • this also depends on if you can close/winter the pool up or have to take it down (HOA rules/etc)
  • The SWG goes on the Return line (pump -> filter -> SWG -> pool)
  • You can sell the little pump that is included OR better yet, set-up as a water cooler/pool sprinkler!!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: kimkats
splashpad said:
  • Having JUST done this :D I can help!
    • Make sure to position the pool so the inlets/outlets are in the correct place you want to install the equipment.
  • The Intex filter and/or SWG should come with an Intex RETURN/outlet (which you can trace inside the nut to replace the bestway outlet on the pool).
  • The Wall Skimmer will have an adapter that will accept either the cheap bestway hose OR preferably replace with Intex hoses (you will need to purchase a stainless steel hose clamp)
    • The skimmer is mounted & cut in as high as possible AFTER the pool is filled (less chance of damaging the vinyl), you only use a razor blade to trim the inside square of vinyl for the skimmer.
    • You can mount it as high as you feel comfortable,
      • we opt to not screw into the seam, but that is personal comfort level
      • there are several that have mounted it directly under the rail
      • this also depends on if you can close/winter the pool up or have to take it down (HOA rules/etc)
  • The SWG goes on the Return line (pump -> filter -> SWG -> pool)
  • You can sell the little pump that is included OR better yet, set-up as a water cooler/pool sprinkler!!
Click to expand...
Ilik,

Glad you've finally posted and we can help! Can't be better than advice from somebody that's just done the same job! As you go through this project I hope we can help further if you have any other questions. The only comment I have is that TFP's recommendation is to get a chlorinator rated for 2x your pool volume. This helps to optimize cell life. So if there's an option for 10000 gal that would be better. If that's not the case then at least you do have some spare capacity. We recently upgraded to SWG and love it. I hope you find this is the case for you as well.

Please do add pool details and equipment model numbers etc. in your "signature". It will appear in all your posts at the bottom and you can update the information as things change. You can do this by clicking on the screen name above and right. Then select "signature" and fill the information in. Also please don't forget to press SAVE!. This information will make it easier for our experts to respond to any questions by avoiding a cycle of their questions to you.

I hope this is helpful.

Chris
 
There's an option for a 15,000 gal saltwater system but it's twice the price. For the saltwater systems I've only been looking at the Intex, I'm not sure who else would make them.

I wonder if I should just start with regular chemicals now and add a saltwater system later if I felt we needed it.
 
ilikebike said:
There's an option for a 15,000 gal saltwater system but it's twice the price. For the saltwater systems I've only been looking at the Intex, I'm not sure who else would make them.

I wonder if I should just start with regular chemicals now and add a saltwater system later if I felt we needed it.
Click to expand...
The suggestion for oversizing the SWG cell, is to extend it's working life by lowering the run time needed to produce sufficient chlorine.
You can definitely get the one you listed and supplement occasion liquid chlorine if the need arose.
 
ilikebike said:
There's an option for a 15,000 gal saltwater system but it's twice the price. For the saltwater systems I've only been looking at the Intex, I'm not sure who else would make them.

I wonder if I should just start with regular chemicals now and add a saltwater system later if I felt we needed it.
Click to expand...

With those choices I'd go with 7000 gal pool especially if up front cost is a big issue. You can certainly go with liquid chlorine to start but I will tell you I did that and I wish I'd installed SWG initially. The pool is just much more comfortable;. Everybody remarks at how it doesn't burn their eyes and how good it feels. There really isn't that much salt in it. Nowhere near the salt level of the ocean, it's very close to the salt level in tears. It's also waaay easier to care for. Took a couple of days to get the unit lined out and no more chlorine jugs!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Chris
 
Mork,

Usually the larger the filter the better. When you use a pump/filter combination you can get a pump that is way oversized for the pool. Bigger is not always better for the pump for a number of reasons including your resulting electric bill. I'd prefer to get an expert knowledgeable in AG pools to advise on this one. @kimkats @Texas Splash can you please advise Mork on this?

I hope this helps.

Chris
 
ilikebike said:
Does that pump size look ok? I was looking at the 2100gph and the 2800ph and they were roughly the same price. I figured bigger would be better especially if I wanted to use a vacuum with it.
Click to expand...
The difference is one is .5hp and the other is .75hp
The .5hp comes with a 12" tank, the .75hp comes with 14"
We have the .5hp and while it works, we would prefer having more suction. (it can't run the automatic pool cleaner)
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
ilikebike said:
Yeah, the price difference between the two pumps is only $7 at Walmart right now so I'll go with the 14".

Thanks again! I'll get some pictures going once I start to set everything up :)
Click to expand...
The bigger one is cheaper through VM Express ?
We got our replacement hoses through them, less than $5ea ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: setsailsoon
Ok, finally starting to heat up around here so I'm getting ready to prep for the pool.

As stated earlier, we have a level concrete pad where the pool is going to go. I'm looking at options for padding/protection under the pool.

I've used EPS foam boards in the past and they've worked out fine. XPS isn't available in my area in sizes larger than 2x2 and is prohibitively expensive.
I've also looked at interlocking foam mats and for the cost I don't think they're any better than the foam boards. So I'll probably just do the EPS foam again.

I was also looking at something to possibly cover the foam boards because the wife doesn't like the look of them under the pool. I was thinking of possibly getting some indoor/outdoor carpet to hide it a bit, something like this: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Fresh-Cut-12-ft-Plush-Interior-Exterior-Carpet/1000793108

Any thoughts? Should I skip the carpet and just trim the foam back as close to the pool as I can?
 
I ended up just doing the outdoor carpet and it's worked out great.

Now that the pool is all set up, can I add the salt now and run the SWG? Or do I need to get the chlorine levels and everything else up first before I run the SWG? Just confused on the order of everything, I don't want to overdo the chlorine and have to drain it.
 
You can. You should add some liquid chlorine to get to 3 ppm FC. And you need to add CYA. Target 70 ppm.

Chlorine burns off easily. CYA is the one thing you do not want to overdo as it only goes away by draining.
 
Add liquid now. Add the salt now. Make sure the salt is well mixed (swim, brush, etc). And start SWCG tomorrow.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.

Similar threads

N
Base ideas for new Above Ground pool
Replies
6
Views
667
Above Ground Pools
AboveGroundInflatable
A
N
Advice needed on Intex 18ft x 9ft XTR rectangular pool Levelness
Replies
4
Views
807
Above Ground Pools
Naiav
N
S
Using Foam Gym Tiles Under Bestway 16 x 10 pool
Replies
4
Views
451
Above Ground Pools
foreign0
foreign0
N
Intex Sand filter pump losing return flow after an hour
Replies
4
Views
514
Above Ground Pools
PieterS
P
S
Upgrading Bestway Pool Pump
Replies
5
Views
1K
Above Ground Pools
foreign0
foreign0
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply