Amount of sand when using Polystyrene Foam Board

[whiskaz]

Hi all, I tried searching and reading through prior discussions on the topic but it seemed like most posts were of the either/or variety.

I am in the process of installing a new 15x30x54" AGP. I plan to use foam board from Lowes, 3/4" thick and a foam cove. I was wondering how much sand to use underneath the foam board? I assume I will need some (the directions call for backfilling the uprights, for one). Per the Pool Factory, with a foam cove and normal sand base, I would need 2.5/3.5 yards/tons of sand. Any ideas on how much less sand I should/could use when going with the foam board floor?

Appreciate any replies!

Pool is also going to be semi-inground, approx 27" down, though that shouldn't make much difference.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[CJadamec]

The foam board takes the place of the sand that's why it's and either or kind of topic. With an oval pool you may want a small amount of sand to cover any strapping or pressure plates that are in the middle of the pool and a thin layer of sand can smooth out any surface imperfections in your base.

I would think a yard or two would be plenty for that. My pool which is the same size as yours took 4 yards of sand to do the entire base and coving.

 

[whiskaz]

Thanks - wanted to confirm that was the case. I actually put a foam bottom in the old pool that was in the same spot but it was an afterthought and I'd already laid down fresh sand. It was several years ago so I don't even recall how much I used but I probably just lost a bit of depth. I was thinking I may be able to salvage much of that sand for the purpose of covering the straps/base plates.

Appreciate the response.