New pool build

[Acmfl]

We previously had a 15'round intex. This past fall we purchased the pool in my sig during the end of the season sales. We installed the last one ourselves but we relocated the pool area so this time we paid an installer. He had good reviews and was recommended by the pool store we bought from. We had the pool installed a few weeks ago. The guy and his 2 helpers had the pool, pump, skimmer and ladder installed in about 4 hrs. Where I live we have sand with limestone rocks pretty close to the surface and there can be difficulty digging down. He dug down about 2' on the high side of our slope but had to use compacted sand on the low side. I'm somewhat concerned with settling but so far so good. We have armor shield under the pool. I had to install the retaining wall blocks on the low side hastily because we had a big storm roll through the day after install, and I was worried sand would wash out. I will be redoing the retaining wall and putting down rock around the pool. We plan to enclose the cabana in the background into a pool shed for the pump and supplies and add a deck with stairs between the pool and the pool shed. We are currently doing multiple projects in the yard and around the house so I have no idea when we will actually be completed. We Have HPADD (House Projects Attention Deficit Disorder), or something because it always takes way longer to finish and we never have just one project at a time.

 

[kimkats]

You have moved up! Nice! I think I would stop any and all projects until you get that area around the pool done. I too worry about the rain washing the dirt/sand out and causing problems after all of that hard work.

LOL we too have a couple/few projects going on. Some inside for when it is raining and some outside for when it is pretty outside!

I can't wait to see pics of when you get it all done!

Kim

 

[Acmfl]

Yes, I definitely will be getting the retaining wall done asap.

I just ordered the TF100 test kit. I was using a cheap version and strips on the last pool so thought I'd start out right with this pool. I added about 2/3rd the recommended CYA and the recommended amount of liquid chlorine to start (from pool math). I will dail it in when I get the test kit. I'll be off the pinch a penny to get more chlorine and whatever else I'll need.

We had a leak on the pool pump fittings from the initial install but got that all tightened up yesterday. Ran the pump for most of the day after adding the CYA and chlorine. I have it on an extension cord now but as soon as we get the pool shed done and longer hoses for the pump it will be relocated inside the shed with electric I have right there. I also installed the Polaris 65, but we need to trim the hoses down. It was tangling up on itself and getting stuck. It also got stuck behind the ladder, so we removed the ladder for now. I'm pretty irritated the guy installed the ladder without asking where we wanted it or if we even wanted it installed. So now I have 2 holes in the rail where he screwed in the ladder. I plan on a deck with stairs so I wont even want the ladder after we get the deck installed.

 

[kimkats]

Yeah he should have asked you about the ladder

LOVE the test kit! This pool will be so much easier than the last one for that reason alone!

Check your PH with the cheap kit. That is an easy one to test and fix.

Kim

 

[Acmfl]

Kim,
I tested with my cheap tester.
my ph and TA are at 7.8 and 140.
Somewhere more than 0 and less than 30 on CYA.
Chlorine at 1. It was at 2 this morning.
Do you think I need to do anything prior to getting the test kit? I was afraid to add to much CYA until I get the better tester. I was planning to keep adding liquid chlorine daily and run pump to circulate the chlorine until I get the test kit, then start program fully. Obviously we aren't swimming now anyway. My last pool had a SWG and was pretty easy until my SWG went out last summer and the pool became a mess. Good thing it was time to get rid of it!

 

[kimkats]

So it looks like you have some CYA. That is good. It will keep the FC from burning out due to the sun.

I would add FC each day. Any idea what your water temp is?

I would hold off on doing anything else until you get the test kit.

I just wanted to make sure your PH was good. PH being off can really mess up a liner. That is how I "lost" my first pool

Kim

 

[Acmfl]

Thanks Kim, I didn't know that about the ph and liner. I've learned so much from this forum. Also, you remind me I need a new thermometer. Last one is missing/lost. I'm just north of Tampa, I'd guess somewhere in the low to mid 60s? I don't think my old pool got any lower than 60.

 

[kimkats]

In that case aim for your "full" FC level for a CYA of 30 just to be on the safe side. We sure do NOT want any algae to find it's way to the pool!

Kim

 

[Acmfl]

So its been slow going because of other time conflicts. We have too much going on with other projects to get to the yard, so we are getting estimates to finish it up for us. We decided to scale back the deck for now and installed a blue wave Neptune ladder system today which turned out great. Instead of turning the old cabana into a pool shed for now we are using it as the area for my husband to keep his smoker and another outdoor fridge. Hopefully the yard will be completed in the next few weeks. We still are waiting for the porch roofs to be installed and we will be repainting in the house.

 

[kimkats]

LOL on time conflicts! I SO feel your pain! Oh and don't forget money.......do this OR that but not both at one time must let the wallet fill back up.

Those are nice looking steps. Keep an eye on them. Algae loves to get in the little places. I have a toothbrush I use on mine to make sure they stay clean.

Kim

 

[Acmfl]

Nothing new to report, just getting in the hang of testing (and adding) chlorine so frequently. The last pool was a SWG so I didn't have to check as often. I love love love the Polaris 65 - once I cut down the hose and got it to stop tangling up on itself. I still have to periodically untangle it but it's such a huge improvement over manual vacuuming! Haven't been in yet but the pool got up to 78 today!

 

[Acmfl]

The landscape guy finished up the backyard Friday. We have a retaining wall around the pool and a matching but slightly smaller one for the fire pit. We converted our existing cabana into a pool shed, which I will be painting along with the house. We are still waiting for the porch roofs and then we will be finished in the backyard.

 

[kimkats]

He did a great job! What kind of chairs/seating do you have for the firepit?

Kim

 

[TSiGirl]

It looks fantastic!

 

[Acmfl]

He did a great job! What kind of chairs/seating do you have for the firepit?

Kim

I haven't started shopping yet. Probably arondack but haven't completely decided. I think I will start with 2 wood painted arondack chairs and an end table to leave out all the time and buy 4 of the plastic wood look arondack chairs that are $20 that I can stack and put out with company. We get really windy here so I can't leave lightweight chairs out. We use the wood fire pit all the time. We also have a gas fire pit table that we actually use in the summer when it's too hot for a wood fire.

 

[Acmfl]

Here's a couple of shots I just took. I put blue led rope lighting around the pool under the rail. I love the whole setup. I think it looks like a beach but without having to deal with all the sand. We used 3/4" limestone rock which packs down nicely and is easy to walk on - with shoes of course. The pool and hot tub though are right by the back door so we don't need shoes to get in and out of the pool or HT.

 

[kimkats]

I like your ideas! Very solid thinking and oh so comfy! LOVE the blue lights! Please tell me they are on a GFCI outlet!

Kim

 

[Acmfl]

Definitely! Also they are waterproof rope lights. I had them on the intex also.

 

[Acmfl]

I wanted to do a quick update. We are almost finished with the yard. Our porches were installed but we still need to do some electric runs and paint the back of the house. And decorate the porches of course. We've started to put together an outdoor kitchen area. We purchase a master forge sink with side burners which I love because it's on wheels if we ever want to relocate it, which we might. I also bought some plastic Adams Manufacturing plastic arondack chairs for now around the fire pit. Unfortunately we have a burn ban in Pasco County so can't really enjoy it yet.

The pool has beautiful clear water, thanks to all the advice on here. It's hovering around 80 or so, almost warm enough for me to use it. I haven't actually been in yet.

 

[kimkats]

Those chairs are SO comfy! I love the colors you picked! SO glad to hear your water is behaving due to TFP!



Kim