48" depth vs 52" depth on 18'' Intex Ultra Round AG Pool

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denhajm

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Apr 4, 2015
73
Western, WA
Planning on moving up in size from our current 12' x 30" summer escapes (EZ-set type) pool to an 18' diameter Intex Ultra in the coming weeks. I feel my youngest child would not be able to touch the bottom of a 52" pool and keep his head above water, so I'm looking at the slightly shallower 48" model, which seems to perhaps be an older model? It seems the 48" depth Intex Ultra is harder to come by, and that 52" is now the standard.

If the 48" is indeed an 'older' design, what difference would there be in construction/quality vs. the seemingly newer (or at least more common) 52" depth model?

Thanks,

Jason near Seattle
 
48" is one of their standard heights, still made currently. They do update the designs occasionally, so it is possible a store would have older and newer models at the same time, but that doesn't have anything to do with the depth.
 
Walmart seems to be carrying the "Coleman" brand now but I am sure that Intext is involved because it looks identical and they have it in 18x48 for $500.
Easy Hot Tubs has it for $333+$8 for shipping http://www.ezhottubs.com/spa-mall/54953EG.htm

Walmart also has the Intex 18x48 but it seems to be limited availability so enter your zip code if you have not. http://www.walmart.com/ip/39264343?...2856352&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=253782508553&veh=sem

I like the price and shipping from Easy Hot Tubs, assuming they are not charging a handling fee.

Also, if there is an Academy Sports near you, try them. They carry pools and their prices are very reasonable.
 
Is the return eyeball on the 52" low enough that you could simply stop filling it once you've reached the point at which he can't keep his head above water any more? I think you'd still want the eyeball submerged, otherwise your PH is going to rise due to the constant aeration.

You wouldn't be able to install a through the wall skimmer, but the Intex Deluxe over the wall skimmer basket works pretty well, and I think it would extend far enough down to function on a pool several inches less than full.

Then next year, once he's grown a little taller, you could fill the pool to capacity and put in a better skimmer. You're going to get at least 3 or 4 years of use out of this pool if you maintain it well.

All that said, I have a 16'x48" Intex Ultra, and my 9 y/o and 19 y/o both have plenty of fun in it, not to mention the wife and I. No one has ever complained about it not being deep enough. I can't see any reason not to buy a 48", even if it was a prior model. I doubt there are any advantages to the newer ones. With a pool that size, you're going to need to upgrade to a larger pump and sand filter anyway. The cartridge ones that come with the pools are totally inadequate.
 
Jason,
I am in a similar situation as you, I have 3 young boys and actually asked this question on this forum about a month ago. I did allot of research, The 18'x48" Intex Ultra Frame Pool is still the standard 18' round pool, Wal-mart has the best price at $444.00 currently on Rollback ( http://www.walmart.com/ip/Intex-18-x-48-Ultra-Frame-Pool/39264343 ), the only difference on this pool this year that I can see is the pump inlet lines coming from the pool has 2 inlets feeding a Y then feeding the pump. The round style pools do not have to be filled all the way but the rectangle pools do need to be filled all the way up, that is why I selected the round pool. The 18'x48" Intex Ultra Frame pool comes with a over the wall skimmer basket, I believe that the unit can be lowered enough for my youngest son, if not on Amazon they sell the extensions for the unit that I figured I could add if I need to lower the pool water further then my estimates ( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ATF3VE...TF8&colid=11JBVBONTKWO9&coliid=I3H75EFQYF8A59 ). The next issue will be with the pool Return, I should be OK but if my water level ends being below the pool return line then I will plump in with PVC (Pipe, 90 &45 degree elbows) a return that would be below the water so that I do not end up with a PH problem from aeration. I too am upgrading from my previous Ring Pools (I have had 2 over the last 4 years or so, summer escapes brand) and I want to buy the biggest pool that I could fit in my backyard so that I don't have to upgrade again in a few years (That is why I spent allot time doing all the research I could). I have a pool thread started however I have not got to far on the build process as of yet. I will try to paste a thread or 2 that helped me from this forum, good luck and I hope I answered some of your questions. By the way I did look closely at the Coleman Pools and they do appear to be extremely similar to the Intex Pools but so do the Summer Escapes and Bestway Pools, I went with the Intex because the fittings and parts are more common to find (Summer Escapes pools that I have had, I had problems finding plumbing parts that fit).

http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/15512-Actual-Depth-of-Frame-Style-Intex


http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/15512-Actual-Depth-of-Frame-Style-Intex

Good Luck ...
 
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to offer your information and thoughts. I'm starting to think that my son would be more comfortable in the 48" deep pool, and that I can easily (for now) live without the extra 4" the 52" pools offer. As I start my ground prep, I'll continue to keep my eye out for pool deals. Hope to make the purchase in the next 2-3 weeks and set it up in late May.
Jason
 
Mount a threw wall skimmer at height needed.
I've got a 48" and little one isn't tall enough, so I will be mounting skimmer a few inches lower that normal. ;)
Did it two years ago with smaller pool ;)
 
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