I have had intex pools for several years, various different kinds/sizes. I'm closing in on exactly what works for me: 22' ultraframe with added Haywood through-wall skimmer, sand filter, chlorine generator, pvc pipe, wood deck stairs, tank filler, overflow spout.
I just have to figure out a couple more things....
First, I love the sand filter and chlorine generator, it does the bulk of daily maintenance for me without routinely requiring gallons of chemicals, I just have to tinker now and then. The main challenge I have, being in central Florida, is all the rain - I had to add an overflow drain because it often overtops the edges and that would put too much pressure on the frame. Adding a small stock tank filler for the *other* part of the year when everything evaporates due to the daily blazing inferno overhead, I can keep the water level stable. The problem is the salt level, I keep getting low salt errors (no it's not a dirty sensor, I clean that regularly). Since there keeps being more water added to the system in the rain, it keeps diluting the salt. I'd like to know if anyone has a similar issue, or a way to add salt when it senses a low amount? (Besides lugging a bag of salt over there and dumping in some randomly guessed amount, I mean).
The second question is about the steps - I'm definitely not a featherweight and those flimsy aluminum ladders are useless. I have built a set of wooden steps for the outside, but inside is still a problem. I've tried plastic steps but they don't feel sturdy and that just makes me hate getting in the pool. I've tried building a ladder out of 2" pvc and that was ok until the glue dissolved and pipe cracked (a combination of chlorine and the vicious Florida sun). Now I want to try adding to the deck part of the wood stairs - if I attached stringers etc so it would extend down into the pool, with the base touching a few pool pads for cushioning, I think it would be nicely sturdy without destroying the liner. My question is about chemistry: would the copper stuff in pressure treated wood react poorly to anything in the SWG system?
I just have to figure out a couple more things....
First, I love the sand filter and chlorine generator, it does the bulk of daily maintenance for me without routinely requiring gallons of chemicals, I just have to tinker now and then. The main challenge I have, being in central Florida, is all the rain - I had to add an overflow drain because it often overtops the edges and that would put too much pressure on the frame. Adding a small stock tank filler for the *other* part of the year when everything evaporates due to the daily blazing inferno overhead, I can keep the water level stable. The problem is the salt level, I keep getting low salt errors (no it's not a dirty sensor, I clean that regularly). Since there keeps being more water added to the system in the rain, it keeps diluting the salt. I'd like to know if anyone has a similar issue, or a way to add salt when it senses a low amount? (Besides lugging a bag of salt over there and dumping in some randomly guessed amount, I mean).
The second question is about the steps - I'm definitely not a featherweight and those flimsy aluminum ladders are useless. I have built a set of wooden steps for the outside, but inside is still a problem. I've tried plastic steps but they don't feel sturdy and that just makes me hate getting in the pool. I've tried building a ladder out of 2" pvc and that was ok until the glue dissolved and pipe cracked (a combination of chlorine and the vicious Florida sun). Now I want to try adding to the deck part of the wood stairs - if I attached stringers etc so it would extend down into the pool, with the base touching a few pool pads for cushioning, I think it would be nicely sturdy without destroying the liner. My question is about chemistry: would the copper stuff in pressure treated wood react poorly to anything in the SWG system?
