My 18' x 52" Intex XTR pool build in blazing hot South Texas!

We got three more items installed on our pool yesterday. It was so nerve wrecking cutting into the pool liner but we got it done! I didn't realize that we wouldn't have to cut out the return hole, we only had to cut out the two inlet holes. Next step will be finishing the plumbing.

We finally got the pvc plumbing finished, except for the fountain. The only thing we have left to do is adding the bonding wire from the skimmer to the pump and check for leaks.

Thank you for that! Unfortunately the hoses we used leaked and now have to replace them, ughhhh. We went today to lowes and purchase the white spa/pool hose. I'm hoping this one will work. I guess we'll fine out this evening. Wish us luck!

The white hose is going to work. It fits super tight on the hose barbs we're using. The only problem we came across is actually screwing the hoses in place. LOL Let me try to explain a bit. We are using these barbs, (Hayward SPX1091Z7 Combo Hose Adapter Replacement) but once we got the white hose on the barbs we couldn't get the ends to screw into the pool and pipes. The hose was that tight. So out of frustration my husband decided it needed at least one disconnect per hose. We are now waiting for the new disconnect barbs to arrive. Should be tomorrow some time (Hayward SP1493 1-1/2-Inch MIP White ABS Quick Disconnect Econo Union with 1-1/2-Inch Hose Barb).
I've gotta knock on some wood here. My pool water has stayed amazingly clear. Every other night I've been adding half a gallon of 10% pool bleach and skimming the pool with a net.

We finally finished the replumbing. We still have some small dripping on the pump and filter connections but they are so slow to drip my poor hubby said it would be ok to leave them. I think he's tired of taking everything apart and putting it back together again, lol!
After we got all the plumbing fix we finally turned on the pump for the first time. It started making a weird noise and wasn't pumping water back into the pool. I was thinking oh Crud, we got a bad pump. At first we thought it was the sand filter giving us problems because the pump was turning on. So I got on YouTube and figured it out. We hooked the pump hose to the waste line on the sand filter. How dumb are we! You can see it in my pervious pictures I posted, lol. Got that fixed and all is well. The pump and sand filter works wonderfully. We also forgot to backwash the sand before starting the filtering process and now we have sand in the pool.
I also purchase the Intex zx300 pool cleaner and found out it doesn't fit the hayward attachment. Off to google that lead me to Etsy, where I found an attachment that hopefully works.
I've also been testing the water daily. Looks like I've almost have it balanced, or at least I think I do. I'm using saltwater test strips until my Taylor salt water test kit to arrives. The strips have been all over the place. One day it recorded 2870ppm, the day after it recorded under 700ppm and today 1930ppm.
Here is my test results
Today FC 5.8 yesterday it was 6.8
Today CC.8 yesterday .4
Today TA 120 yesterday 130
Today PH 7.6 yesterday 7.4
Today Ch 280 yesterday 250
Today CYA 85 yesterday 60 ( I did add more stabilizer to get it over 75)
Today Salt 1930ppm yesterday under 700.

Next up will be adding lights, rocks and plants around the pool.