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Yes, you need to drain it and store it for the winter. Vinyl + ice and cold weather aren't a good mix. After draining as much water as you can, it's a good idea to take old towels and dry it as best you can (we always let our sit out a couple of days after draining it to get good and dry). If...

We use a little submersible pump, too. Actually, we've dragged it out several times since we closed the pool to pump large amounts of water off the cover all winter and early this spring. I have to agree with poolgirl22 -- those little pumps are invaluable.

Well, with that much chlorine drop, something is definitely consuming it. Have you changed your filter much during all this? I know you've said you're cleaning it a couple of times a day, but a new one everyday for two/three days would be an easy place to start. Also try cleaning out the pump...

"Shock" level is dependent on CYA level. Here's the link for the chart: pool-school/chlorine_cya_chart_shock. Hang in there...it really does sound like you're getting the basics down! Let us know how it goes.

Jason...I think I got all of your suggested changes -- definitely wasn't thinking straight calling dry acid "ph up"...oops. Take a look and let me know what you think.

That picture needed to be in the collection of pool accessory pictures from last month!

I searched the archives a few weeks ago when I wanted to know the answer to this question, and found several posts who said that the brand of pool didn't matter as much as the quality of the ground prep. You might also ask this in the pump/filter forum and see what they recommend (our...

First, the easy answers..."stabilizer" is the same thing as CYA (cyanuric acid). It is not the same thing as dichlor. Dichlor has CYA as an ingredient, along with other stuff. It's fine to use stabilizer if you can't find dichlor. Go ahead and get some CYA in there now...put it in a sock, tie a...

Thanks, Frustrated Pool Mom. I made the change you suggested, and added an explanation of what was changed and why.

Okay, folks...I've tried to combine a lot of what we've discussed and it's still long (although maybe simpler). Some amounts may not be right...jump in and and correct. So...are we closer? Water Chemistry for Small Pools (e.g. Intex – less than 6000 gallons) This guide covers smaller...

I'm happy to get this together into one document. The last time I'd checked in, though, we were up in the air on a few things. Remembering that this is "watered-down" BBB, I believe most of us are in agreement that the pH and chlorine drop test kit are what think will work, right? Are we...

Okay folks, I’ve waded through the four-five pages of discussion for days and really tried to boil it down into something that both resembles sound pool management and is simple to do (both in acquiring supplies and in daily practice). Coming to a consensus on exactly what to recommend is...

Jason...I have the Intex 18'x4' easy set. Somewhere (can't remember if it was the Intex site or the paperwork that came with the pool) the specs indicated the top diameter is 14' (at the "fattest" part of the ring, if that makes sense). Below the ring (at the top of the water) it's about...

Okay -- give me a few hours as the kids and I have errands to run this morning. I'll add to Paul's this aftenroon and post it.

I can jump in here where Paul is having to leave off (have a good trip!) if you'd like.

Yes, since your CYA is close to 30, I'd raise the FC shock value to 12, as the CYA/chlorine chart suggests.

I'd still keep the FC up around 10. Also, are you able to run your filter all the time now that you're back? That will help, too.

Paul, this is looking good :-D . An addition I would suggest... I really think we need to mention how to identify potential water quality issues. Any test kit these folks find won't allow them to test CC, so they're going to need to rely on more subjective measures. How about something along...

Mermaid Queen is right about a fourth category of Intex users. I think we need to keep this as simple and inexpensive as possible, taking the most important of the BBB concepts and applying them as best we can given the constraints we've discussed. JasonLion's bullet-point list is great...

Quoting fixed. JasonLion I'm at a better keyboard for the moment and really wanted to help with this discussion since I've learned a ton over the last three years of being in Intex owner and using this site exclusively. Jason makes some good points above, and I wanted to add to it a bit. I...

I've had an easy-set for three summers now and have had great success with modified BBB. I found the following to be easiest: pucks worked best until CYA gets to a good level, then bleach the walmart 6-way test kit got me through two summers with no trouble I did test CYA partway through each...

Is there any kind of chart that lists pool size/gallons and the size filter and pump recommended (I did check pool school and didn't see what I'm looking for)? Just trying to figure out if I'm "close" on pump/filter size, etc.

We're on the opposite schedule -- we run it at night after we've been in it all day and stirred up whatever debris might be in there.

I know I show up as a "new user" but I've been around reading and learning for a couple of years. A lot of people are posting asking about Intex easy-set/quick set pool setups. What about a pool school article specifically about those? Things like yes, your ground has to be flat and level...

I've been around this forum for a couple of years, mostly just reading and learning. We started out with a large Intex easy-set to "get our feet wet" and had great success with it, apparently contrary to what a lot of people experience. Earlier this summer, we started the ground work for a...

We've used an easy set the last few years and haven't had any trouble with the sand washing out once the pool is set up. Edit: Oops...didn't realize you're building up a short side -- somehow I misread...even with an easy set, building up a low side won't work so well. I agree that you need...

Re: HELP! Cannot get water clear from cloud & algae! First, I'd read and re-read pool school (the big button in the upper right-hand corner of the forum). There is a lot of great information, there, but specificall check out the article "defeating algae". I'm definitely no expert, but the...

Now that would be one of the times I'm thankful to be on a well. I have a finite amount of water until the well recharges, so there is only so much water I can accidentally dump into the pool. Glad your daughter saw what was up and called...hopefully you'll have the right weather to dry it out...

You're right, poolmom, Intex's cartridges are meant to be disposable, and I should have stated that more clearly (actually just edited the post to clarify). What I've found is that if we are diligent about day-to-day chlorination and periodic cleaning, they'll last longer. I hate to see people...

This is our third year with an 18' round Intex easy set, and it's been great. We use all the original equipment, although we do use the TF good test kit. A couple pieces of advice... A lot of people on this forum complain that the filter/pump are inadequate for these pools. I'll definitely...