Census Poll on Intex Users

[carterj92]

i placed the red mulch around my 16x48 ultra frame pool. kinda dressed it up a little.[attachment=2:2ggguq8b]16866.jpg[/attachment:2ggguq8b][attachment=1:2ggguq8b]24630.jpg[/attachment:2ggguq8b][attachment=0:2ggguq8b]62019.jpg[/attachment:2ggguq8b]

It looks nice, I might just have to do that myself.. I have red wood pine bark in my front yard that I put in back in February and it stays a lot better than pine-straw so I might use some landscaping bricks and build a small retaining wall around my pool and fill it will pine bark.

 

[dboshibby]

Ya I have my easy set boxed in with 4x4s and I was thinking mulch. That looks great and I think I have my project for this weekend

 

[Jin_1626]

How long have you had the red mulch around the pool? It does dress it up, are you worried it will harm the liner? I'm looking for ways of dressing up my area too.

 

[jsf0656]

How long have you had the red mulch around the pool? It does dress it up, are you worried it will harm the liner? I'm looking for ways of dressing up my area too.

i put it down in april. i did not put any under the liner just around the edges. i couldnt pass up the price at only 2.50 for a big bag. only took 3 bags to go around the perimeter. cheap and looks good. i got the plastic border at HD cheap too!

 

[carterj92]

Finally got my sand filter in! The box was huge, almost as big as the box the pool came in.

 

[poolnew-b]

ok I got to move my pool I got 2 rocks that appeared 2 weeks after I put it up and Im not taking any chances so im taking it down and moving it a few feet .

So is a 2 or 3 inches of sand enough to keep the rocks from making there way up ?

my plan is to get the area rock free and level .
Then put some black edging stuff a few feet out around the pool area.
then put a 2-3 inch layer of sand in the black edged area .
I have some pavers left over from another project so I planned on putting 1 under each leg level with the sand.

Is there a better way ? Am I missing something?

Would the styrofoam be better than the sand if so what kind. I think the pavers I have are about the same thickness as the styro.

 

[jsf0656]

the 2'' styrofoam is good as well as the pavers under the legs. as anyone will tell you, be sure to have the area debri free and LEVEL!

 

[mcoonan]

ok I got to move my pool I got 2 rocks that appeared 2 weeks after I put it up and Im not taking any chances so im taking it down and moving it a few feet .

So is a 2 or 3 inches of sand enough to keep the rocks from making there way up ?

my plan is to get the area rock free and level .
Then put some black edging stuff a few feet out around the pool area.
then put a 2-3 inch layer of sand in the black edged area .
I have some pavers left over from another project so I planned on putting 1 under each leg level with the sand.

Is there a better way ? Am I missing something?

Would the styrofoam be better than the sand if so what kind. I think the pavers I have are about the same thickness as the styro.

Welcome to TFP!

Steps that I used to create my origninal pool area:
1. Choose area, use a can of marking paint to paint a circle 2' larger that your pool. ie 18' pool = a 20' circle.
2. Cut sod off and dispose of. (if you do not do this it rots and stinks terrible)
3. Attached a 4' level to a 10' 2" x 6" x 1/2 the width of your circle plus 6" ie 20' cirlcle 10' 6" board pegged to the middle of the circle.
4. Swing board in a circle trimming away any high spots and filling in any low spots.
5. Tamped entire area with a hand tamper. (lots of work, rent a plate compactor it goes alot faster and not as hard on the back and shoulders.)
6. Put down 2" styrofoam (the pink, yellow or blue stuff). Tape the seams with Gorilla tape. Cover it all with a HD tarp. (don't use the tarp that they send with the pool, get a good HD one)
7. Setup pool, place 2" pavers/patio blocks under the legs.
8. Fill pool with 2-3" of water and smooth all wrinkles out.
9. Fill up the pool with the rest of the water.
10. Test water with your new TFTest kit (you did order one right?) use results on The Pool Calculator and add BBB (if needed) to your Pool.
ENJOY THE POOL!!!!
Mike
PS, I did eliminate a few steps. Like go to store buy beer. Go to store buy AsperCreme for the aching muscles. Go to store buy more beer. LOL

 

[jsf0656]

ok I got to move my pool I got 2 rocks that appeared 2 weeks after I put it up and Im not taking any chances so im taking it down and moving it a few feet .

So is a 2 or 3 inches of sand enough to keep the rocks from making there way up ?

my plan is to get the area rock free and level .
Then put some black edging stuff a few feet out around the pool area.
then put a 2-3 inch layer of sand in the black edged area .
I have some pavers left over from another project so I planned on putting 1 under each leg level with the sand.

Is there a better way ? Am I missing something?

Would the styrofoam be better than the sand if so what kind. I think the pavers I have are about the same thickness as the styro.

Welcome to TFP!

Steps that I used to create my origninal pool area:
1. Choose area, use a can of marking paint to paint a circle 2' larger that your pool. ie 18' pool = a 20' circle.
2. Cut sod off and dispose of. (if you do not do this it rots and stinks terrible)
3. Attached a 4' level to a 10' 2" x 6" x 1/2 the width of your circle plus 6" ie 20' cirlcle 10' 6" board pegged to the middle of the circle.
4. Swing board in a circle trimming away any high spots and filling in any low spots.
5. Tamped entire area with a hand tamper. (lots of work, rent a plate compactor it goes alot faster and not as hard on the back and shoulders.)
6. Put down 2" styrofoam (the pink, yellow or blue stuff). Tape the seams with Gorilla tape. Cover it all with a HD tarp. (don't use the tarp that they send with the pool, get a good HD one)
7. Setup pool, place 2" pavers/patio blocks under the legs.
8. Fill pool with 2-3" of water and smooth all wrinkles out.
9. Fill up the pool with the rest of the water.
10. Test water with your new TFTest kit (you did order one right?) use results on The Pool Calculator and add BBB (if needed) to your Pool.
ENJOY THE POOL!!!!
Mike
PS, I did eliminate a few steps. Like go to store buy beer. Go to store buy AsperCreme for the aching muscles. Go to store buy more beer. LOL

WELL SAID!

 

[okienat33]

YES PLEASE lets have our own Intex section. I have a Ultra frame 16X48 with a salt water generator. This is our 3rd year to put it up and the only thing wrong is my husband hates having to put it up & take it down so he's kinda careless with moving it. There is a small leak somewhere?? and the air release valve broke. In the mean time the pool is full of water (didn't realize the valve was broke). I haven't added the salt & don't know if I should? Wat to do in the meantime until parts arrive??

 

[poolnew-b]

Thanks mcoonan.

Is the styro better than the sand ?
I just want the best choice under it so I dont have to redo it.

Here is a before pic of my work all dug by hand. I will be postimg the after pic in a few days or so.

Also my newer intex did not come with a tarp so I wonder if its necessary?
I will get a good HD tarp anyways.

 

[heathert1]

3rd year intex pool owner 12,000 gallon metal frame we all love it

 

[poolnew-b]

Not to be impatient but the wife wants the pool back up ASAP lol. So any input on the foam Is it reliable and stable ? Has anyone had a bad time with it ?

I gotta get this pool back up today she wants it warmed up for the weekend ahead.

Thanks,
Poolnew-b

Edit: Also I made a 17 ft circle for my 15 ft pool caand I cover the 17ft area with the foam and cut holes for the pavers ? I would be putting a black edging around it and mulch or sand on top to make it look better.

 

[ForeverNewbie]

It probably would be neat to have an Intex section of the board.

Oh yes, I agree!

I have my eye on an Intex, as my DH doesn't really want a "real" AG or IG pool. I figure the more I show him ( ) I know how to care for a pool, and all that is involved, the more likely he will be agreeable to me having it. He is handicapped and can not risk being in a pool, so it will be primarily for my use only.

I was looking at a SWG, but I think I need to take a closer look at the BBB method.

 

[ForeverNewbie]

First post here, but I've been a member for quite some time. Bought the 18x52 ultra frame last year... upgraded from our original 18' easy set (blue blob), which lasted us around 4 years, so we got our money's worth out of that one. I started using the BBB method with the first intex and it worked wonderful, saved me tons of money and kept me from making costly "pool store" mistakes. The ultra frame came with the combo pump and SWG and I absolutely love it! I've never had my chlorine levels stay so constant. I loved the bleach, but this is even better and a lot cheaper. I'm down to running the generator only about 2 hours a day, even in the hot Texas sun. I do run the pump about 8-10 hours a day. For those who have asked, we leave the pool up through the winter, but we do not have a lot of hard freezes in our area. Before a freeze, I do unhook the pump and hoses and drain them completely and put them in a shed. I'm sure the hoses full of water would freeze easily. As for keeping a cover on, I just toss a bunch of big beach balls into the pool then cover it. They raise the cover enough so it stays on tight and the rain water doesn't collect in the center.

I'm all for a separate section of the forum for Intex specific questions--I think that is a great idea! As cheap as these pools are, I'll probably never buy a "real" pool. At around $700 for the pool, pump, SWG, vacuum, leaf net, cover, skimmer, volleyball set, and cheap ladder-if it lasts us 4 or 5 years that's a great deal. And if I get too old or too tired to deal with a pool, out it goes with no $regrets$.

On page 4, and all the posts have been helpful thus far, but this one, where Skimmerphobia compares a BBB to a SWG is most helpful!

 

[stacey81881]

that would be easy
hook up the hose from the return of the sand filter to where the 90 on the cartridge filters connects to the flow meter of the SWG. the fittings on the hoses should be identical.

does the pump have a separate on off control from the SWG? Im not sure if it does. you may have to un wire it so it wont run while the SWG is on.

Exactly!!!

The intake on the SWG is on the back, the water first comes in contact with the plates, then the filter, then the return. Wouldn't the sand filter hook up to the return of the SWG then to the pool? :?

I have the same SWG and was thinking about buying a sand filter when mine crashed BUT if I could some how hook the SWG to the sand filter I would!

18'x48" Metal Frame-Blue
2000 GPH Krystal Clear Chlorinator+Pump Combo
Homemade Fountain

 

[ForeverNewbie]

I am getting overwhelmed by all the information and keeping it straight...and I am on only page 6!

I have tried cutting and pasting important information that applies to my pool-to-be, in a word document...but now on page six, the discussion stumbles upon vacuuming...

Overwhelmed with so much to learn...I'll be back tomorrow to continue...

 

[poolnew-b]

Its ok . Just dont cram to much info at once. I took it 1 step at a time and my pool is coming out great .

 

[crookm11]

that would be easy
hook up the hose from the return of the sand filter to where the 90 on the cartridge filters connects to the flow meter of the SWG. the fittings on the hoses should be identical.

does the pump have a separate on off control from the SWG? Im not sure if it does. you may have to un wire it so it wont run while the SWG is on.

Exactly!!!

The intake on the SWG is on the back, the water first comes in contact with the plates, then the filter, then the return. Wouldn't the sand filter hook up to the return of the SWG then to the pool? :?

I have the same SWG and was thinking about buying a sand filter when mine crashed BUT if I could some how hook the SWG to the sand filter I would!

18'x48" Metal Frame-Blue
2000 GPH Krystal Clear Chlorinator+Pump Combo
Homemade Fountain

The correct order to hook up a Filter, Pump, and SWCG is: This is good for all pools.
1. Hose/pipe from skimmer and-or main drain at pool to intake on pump
2. Hose/pipe from output on pump to intake on filter
3. Hose/pipe from output on filter to intake on SWCG
4. Hose/pipe from output on SWCG to return on pool

With the above being said, and you want to add a sand filter inline with the Intex SWCG/pump combo and just want to use the SWCG portion of the combo you need to bypass the pump and filter portion of the combo.

To accomplish this, instead of running a hose from the output of the sand filter in to the input of the pump on the combo system you connect the hose from the output on the sand filter to the input side of the flow sensor on the SWCG. You are probably asking "What is the Flow Sensor" If you look at the SWCG/pump ad follow the water path you will see an "elbo" at the base of the filter housing. That elbo is also connected to the flow sensor of the SWCG. Take the "elbo" off and connect the hose to the flow sensor. We just bypassed the pump and filter.

Remember the SWCG goes inline after the filter and before the pool.

Here is a picture of my setup. You can see the order you need to setup the equipment. The SWCG in my pic is different from yours but the setup is the same. You are just bypassing the pump and filter of your combo system.

Hope this helps.

 

[stacey81881]

The intake on the SWG is on the back, the water first comes in contact with the plates, then the filter, then the return. Wouldn't the sand filter hook up to the return of the SWG then to the pool? :?

I have the same SWG and was thinking about buying a sand filter when mine crashed BUT if I could some how hook the SWG to the sand filter I would!

18'x48" Metal Frame-Blue
2000 GPH Krystal Clear Chlorinator+Pump Combo
Homemade Fountain

The correct order to hook up a Filter, Pump, and SWCG is: This is good for all pools.
1. Hose/pipe from skimmer and-or main drain at pool to intake on pump
2. Hose/pipe from output on pump to intake on filter
3. Hose/pipe from output on filter to intake on SWCG
4. Hose/pipe from output on SWCG to return on pool

With the above being said, and you want to add a sand filter inline with the Intex SWCG/pump combo and just want to use the SWCG portion of the combo you need to bypass the pump and filter portion of the combo.

To accomplish this, instead of running a hose from the output of the sand filter in to the input of the pump on the combo system you connect the hose from the output on the sand filter to the input side of the flow sensor on the SWCG. You are probably asking "What is the Flow Sensor" If you look at the SWCG/pump ad follow the water path you will see an "elbo" at the base of the filter housing. That elbo is also connected to the flow sensor of the SWCG. Take the "elbo" off and connect the hose to the flow sensor. We just bypassed the pump and filter.

Remember the SWCG goes inline after the filter and before the pool.

Here is a picture of my setup. You can see the order you need to setup the equipment. The SWCG in my pic is different from yours but the setup is the same. You are just bypassing the pump and filter of your combo system.

Hope this helps.

YES YES YES! I was planning on waiting till my current one crashed and burned, they normally only last about 2 years, of course depending how often you use them. Not sure if you are familiar with 'party pool, blue lagoon' anyways, I added some to mine the other day and ran the critter at the same time and it seems the filter actually caught the dirt this time! I think this is because the party pool is also a clarifier of some sort. My pool water was only slightly blue for a day or so. Each time I cleaned the filter it was dark blue so it must have picked that junk up! So, I may not be upgrading this year. But very helpful information to have for when I do!