So the pool is slowly getting there. Should I turn the pump on once I can? It's getting close to the port that pushes water back into the pool.
Harley's Pool
- Thread starter harleyl7
- Start date
Good progress! Wait to turn on the pump until the water is half way up the skimmer face. THEN I would open the lid on the basket of the filter to help water get in there. I would also open any vent cap on the filter as well. You want as much water in the lines as you can get.
It's getting there haha. Just getting to the bottom of the skimmer
Now I need to learn how to use the test kit
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Pump is running.
Is my skimmer too full?
Also, is it possible to change name of my thread to Harley's Pool or something haha so it's not mislabeled.
Is my skimmer too full?
Also, is it possible to change name of my thread to Harley's Pool or something haha so it's not mislabeled.
Just want to shout out some encouragement. I did this for a 26' round pool and almost gave up quite a few times, but the pool is finally up! I used the harbor frate mats... Try to be sure you get yours all in one purchase or carefully match the labels. I got mine from two stores and they must have changed how they're made... They're slightly different size and don't jigsaw together.
I ended up doing one kind for the center and then leaving the border edges on the outermost ones. That way the straight sides match up since the jigsaw doesn't. Hoping the jigsaw holds the center together (still taped against weeds) I taped the out parts together extra well.
Speaking of tape... It's super hot where I live, and even though I got good, all-weather, 11 mil tape, it was affected by the heat (being on black mats in full sun didn't help) I had to take a couple days off mid-way through taping, and when I returned, it had buckled and wandered in a few spots. I suspect the mats might expand and contract a bit in extreme heat too. So my advice would be to do the taping and set up the pool all in one day if possible rather than leave the taped mats exposed. Your footprint is smaller, so it's probably possible, especially if you have two people on it.
I left the pavers slightly higher than the ground, sort of halfway between the ground and the height of the mats. Then I taped around the edges of the blocks really well to avoid and sharp or rough corners. I figured the foam would squish to roughly level. I think I over-analyzed every step, though, which is why I almost gave up so many times and just got it up in late June!
I covered it with a tarp and then with the Intex ground cloth. I don't plan to take it down in winter, so I wanted to get it as good as possible and not have to worry about it again.
I ended up doing one kind for the center and then leaving the border edges on the outermost ones. That way the straight sides match up since the jigsaw doesn't. Hoping the jigsaw holds the center together (still taped against weeds) I taped the out parts together extra well.
Speaking of tape... It's super hot where I live, and even though I got good, all-weather, 11 mil tape, it was affected by the heat (being on black mats in full sun didn't help) I had to take a couple days off mid-way through taping, and when I returned, it had buckled and wandered in a few spots. I suspect the mats might expand and contract a bit in extreme heat too. So my advice would be to do the taping and set up the pool all in one day if possible rather than leave the taped mats exposed. Your footprint is smaller, so it's probably possible, especially if you have two people on it.
I left the pavers slightly higher than the ground, sort of halfway between the ground and the height of the mats. Then I taped around the edges of the blocks really well to avoid and sharp or rough corners. I figured the foam would squish to roughly level. I think I over-analyzed every step, though, which is why I almost gave up so many times and just got it up in late June!
I covered it with a tarp and then with the Intex ground cloth. I don't plan to take it down in winter, so I wanted to get it as good as possible and not have to worry about it again.
Thanks! Yeah I was able to get my mats at the same store. Took two trips because I was short by 3-4 packs. In retrospect it would have been cheaper to get a gorilla pad. Everything looks level on my pool currently and wanted to do it right the first time so it can stay up year round.
Ready for a nice 4th of July BBQ/pool party. But gotta use this tf pro test kit and make sure my chemicals are right!
Here's some pictures of the build for anyone who wants to see.
Brought in the pavers. Those are heavy lol
At this point I realized how much has to be dug out. It's hot, I only have a pickaxe and my two wheeled wheel barrow only has one wheel. Plus, I didn't mind swinging the pickaxe, but putting the pavers in suck and I don't have a spot for all the dirt dug out.
So here's where I hired someone.
Back to store for more mats and luckily they had some in the back since I bought all their floor stock.
Put the pool up but waited to start filling till the next morning.
Pool is filled now and gonna float later. Thanks everyone for the help and posts from 2010s helping me along the way too!
Yes, I'll pressure wash my house soon. Gonna add some shade over the pool next though and swg is already calling my name.
Here is a fun link on how to use the tests. I will warn you to not have any thing in your mouth when you read it LOL
www.troublefreepool.com
So long as the weir door is moving up and down the water is the correct level. It might be a bit higher or lower so long as the door is going up and down.
So you are new to testing
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters…… It’s that time of year again with an influx of newbs either getting a late start or coming to us trying to undo what hasn’t been working. First of all, I’d like to welcome you all. You’re gonna love it here. We will...
www.troublefreepool.com
So long as the weir door is moving up and down the water is the correct level. It might be a bit higher or lower so long as the door is going up and down.
Oh okay - so the weir door is staying down the whole time lolHere is a fun link on how to use the tests. I will warn you to not have any thing in your mouth when you read it LOL
So you are new to testing
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters…… It’s that time of year again with an influx of newbs either getting a late start or coming to us trying to undo what hasn’t been working. First of all, I’d like to welcome you all. You’re gonna love it here. We will...
So long as the weir door is moving up and down the water is the correct level. It might be a bit higher or lower so long as the door is going up and down.
First test results are in. So no to figure out what to do. Any suggestions? Like what should be my target for free chlorine?
Edit:
List of what I'm heading to the store to get right now.
FC: liquid chlorine
pH: muriatic acid
CH: calcium hardness increaser
TA: baking soda
CYA: chlorine stabilizer
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Make sure the chlorine is not bleach with extra stuff added to it like no splash or pretty scents
I got the pool essentials chlorine from Walmart. June 10th according to the Julian date. That was the latest they had.
Clorox brand for CYA and CH.
Muriatic acid is kemtek from Lowe's.
Need to find a suitable sock for the CYA.
Can I do the sock while adding in the rest with 10min increments? Or just do CYA last? And can I swim while the CYA is dissolving?
Probably a stupid question, but do I just measure out 3.4oz and pour it in right in front of the return jet?
Also, should I really increase my calcium hardness to 300? I'm at 50, but I have to add 15lbs into my pool to reach that according to poolmath..
Wear eye protection when working with the M.A. Pour it slowly in front of the return with the pump running. I would also brush that area good to make sure none sinks down and settles on the bottom.
CYA-You can add it at any time. You can also swim with it. When I add mine I just pour it in the sock then walk around inside the pool and squeeze the sock to get the CYA out.
CH-Go for half what you want. It is easy to add but hard to remove.
CYA-You can add it at any time. You can also swim with it. When I add mine I just pour it in the sock then walk around inside the pool and squeeze the sock to get the CYA out.
CH-Go for half what you want. It is easy to add but hard to remove.
Awesome, all I have left to add is chlorine and CYA.
CH I added 4lbs because that's what I had haha.
You can do it in smaller increments. I usually go a pound at a time, letting a day go by before testing and adding more.