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    The real story concerning solar heaters

    I have no trouble believing the tubing is not nearly as efficient, but I have less than $100 in mine and IIRC the Helicoil system was around $1700 for my pool. I would like to upgrade someday but for now this will have to do. I have a solar cover that will be here Monday which should help.
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    Recommendations for solar cover and reel

    You would be correct Kim :) S1ngram thanks! That's pretty much what I was getting from most of the reviews I've seen. At the moment I'm leaning toward Mas985s method and having something similar to the saddles to hang it over the edge when we're in the pool.
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    Winter Cover Suggestions

    I will be needing a new winter cover as well so I'll be watching this thread. But for the question of overfilling, last winter when I had it drained below the skimmer I installed an extra 'T' fitting just below the skimmer. When my water level gets too high I can attach a 1 1/2" sump drain tube...
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    Recommendations for solar cover and reel

    I am wanting to get a solar cover for my 18" round Sharkline pool and it looks like a solar cover is a solar cover from what I have found. So my question is: what about a reel system? I saw the one mas985 made DIY Solar Cover Roller and that may be the simplest solution. Anyone have thoughts or...
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    The real story concerning solar heaters

    I priced one and decided to go DIY. I have 400' of 1/2" irrigation tubing coiled in a 4'x8' frame with a manifold between the pump outlet and the pool that lets me control how much water is going to the solar which lets me somewhat control how much temperature rise I am getting. I have seen as...
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    Need help picking a pool pump

    A pump/filter that's too big is better than one too small. Keep scouring Craigslist and Facebook buy, sell, trade pages. Don't be afraid to look at entire pools for sale, you might be able to score a good deal that way and just keep the parts you need.
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    Things you wish you had known

    Our first pool had a cheap pump/cartridge filter setup and it was a battle. The new one has a DE filter and it is 100 times better! The only thing I can add to all the great advice above is once you get your water where it needs to be, do spend that few minutes every day it takes to keep it there.
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    Solar heat question

    Any east-west fences I have will not get as much sun. The roof is about 14' wide and 17' peak to gutter. The upper 8 feet is around a 8/12 pitch and the lower section is more like a 4/12 pitch. The roof is probably in the sun a little longer by virtue of being higher, but it probably won't be...
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    Solar heat question

    A little more info and some answers: We do keep the pool covered when not in use, just a cheap vinyl cover but it helps, and the pump is on a timer. xyz: I have not built the fence yet but it will run north and south. That area will be shaded after 5pm during DST. It's Kansas. Most days the wind...
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    Solar heat question

    I have a 18' roundx54" deep AG pool, before spring we are going to put a fence around it. My plan is to put a narrow 'roof' on the east fence so that I can put a solar heater on it. That side of the fence will be in the sun from early morning to about 4pm. The fence will be 32 feet long and I...
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    Solar heater suggestions?

    Thanks Isaac! Any brand recommendations? Fafco seems popular here but get mixed reviews on Amazon. I gather that the "Intex" style solar panels will not handle my pump but most do not give a GPH capacity?
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    Solar heater suggestions?

    I have a 18' x 54" Sharkline pool and would like to have a better solar heater. I currently have one of the GAME dome and I think it does help some but would like more heat. I can put more of the GAME heaters in series, or would a panel be a better option? I do have a south facing garage roof...
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    'Less is more' winterizing plan. Thoughts?

    My plan for this year is to do as I have in the past: drain to below the skimmer, leave cover on until most of the leaves have fallen and then just leave it open.
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    Plastic pipe heater

    I can't speak for the physics, but I tried the home made black hose route with restricted flow on my old pool and it didn't work all that well. So when we got the new pool this year we went with a commercial solar heater: Game SolarPRO Above Ground Solar Pool Heaters. I finished filling the...
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    Pool Pump Timers...

    If it were me I'd just replace the male plug with one that fits the receptacle.
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    Upgrading our AG pool

    Last update on this build. It is full and running, now to work on the landscaping and privacy fence http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq77/gomez56/IMG_11281.jpg and change my signature :)
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    Anyone use a water level to install their pool?

    I did the water jug method since I was working by myself most of the time. It worked very well. I think I used 1/2" tubing on mine. http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq77/gomez56/IMG_09581.jpg
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    Upgrading our AG pool

    Thanks Casey! That thought never even occurred to me :shock: Fortunately I was pretty close and now it is plumb, round and filling with water. Hopefully it will be full enough to install the skimmer after work tonight and get the pump/filter set up.
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    Upgrading our AG pool

    Not yet Casey. The uprights were still loose so I could get the liner adjusted. My first order of business tonight after work is to get that done and secured.
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    Upgrading our AG pool

    In this picture you can see the slant on the side wall. I got that straightened out last night so it's ready to be filled. Tonight I'll work on that and starting the TFP treatment.
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    IMG_11161.jpg

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    Upgrading our AG pool

    The wall is up and the liner is in, although I'm not happy with my job yet. I do have about 4" of water in the pool so it won't blow away. My wife got the wrinkles out of the bottom but my walls appear to be off kilter so I'll try to adjust those before I put any more water in. We are getting...
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    Inner Stabilizer rail too long?

    Thanks Banditig! Tapped them together and actually have a little extra now
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    Inner Stabilizer rail too long?

    Last evening we got the wall up on the new pool; 18' Sharkline and as we went around I was putting the inner stabilizer rail on for extra support since it was just the wife and I. Putting it together as tightly as possible by hand it came out to be about 1.5" too long. I know it will come back...
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    Upgrading our AG pool

    Well, lots of life has happened in the 6 weeks since my last post buy finally I have the bottom ring on pavers and all within 1/4" so now I just need the sand and a day with some helpers to put the wall up.
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    Sand, screenings, and sanity

    Take the rest of the afternoon off....... like you'll have a choice :rant: Funnel reported west of Wellington so keep an eye on the sky
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    Upgrading our AG pool

    I made some good progress last evening, now I just need to remark the area where the pool and filter will actually sit and double/triple check to make sure everything is within an inch.
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    Upgrading our AG pool

    We ended up renting a skid loader, $200 but saved my back and many blisters I'm sure! It will be another 2 weeks before I will have an weekend to devote to the prep, but at that time I plan to get some crushed limestone and pack that down as a base. Then I can start assembling the pool. :party:
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    New here from Kansas with liner ID question - used pool, new build

    bfg: we ordered ours through the Leslie's on east Central, 20mil for $280 and it was delivered in less than a week. and the rain helped soften my dirt a little, now I just need some time to work on it. Kim: is there any reason that can't be trimmed after it's installed, or maybe folded back...
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    New here from Kansas with liner ID question - used pool, new build

    WELCOME! There are lots of helpful folks here to get you lined out. I'm just a little to the southeast of you and am also working on ground prep. I have a new pool sitting in the garage but between the rain and work.........:mad: