Installing new Semi-Inground AGP

[Gopherboy6956]

Hey Everyone - been around here for a few years - currently have an Intex XTR 18' setup. It's a solid block of ice, but it was always just a test pool to make sure we actually wanted to have a pool. After two seasons it's time to go perminent, mostly so I can backfull and landscape up to the pool. It's about half covered by my deck, but the area I dug with a mini-excavator is slightly larger than needed, and needs to be filled in.

Anyways - I ordered a 18'/52" Signature RTL pool from ThePoolFactory - 18'x52" Signature RTL Round Pool | Semi Inground Pools
Went with a lot of the install accessories - the foam cove, the bottom liner, the inner foam liner for the walls, etc -

Any tips for getting the new pool installed? It's obvioulsy quite a bit more involved vs the Intex type pools, so any tips would be helpful. Thanks!

This is the current situation -


This is the area without the pool. I'm likely going to have to dig it up more as I want to put foam boards under the whole setup too.

 

[kellyfair]

I paid to have my permanent AGP leveled and installed... I just wasn’t up for the DYI! But if that spot is level, the hardest part is done!

 

[Gopherboy6956]

I paid to have my permanent AGP leveled and installed... I just wasn’t up for the DYI! But if that spot is level, the hardest part is done!

it's level-ish enough for the Intex - but for long term install there are some spots i need to fix. Regardless, the whole surface will have to be dug up to put down the foam boards and blocks for the posts to sit on. Glad I have a grading laser level.

 

[kellyfair]

My installers used a bobcat to dig out and level. They got it done in no time, but wouldn't let me take a spin on the bobcat.

 

[kne]

Did you use pallet wrap to close your pool?

 

[Gopherboy6956]

Did you use pallet wrap to close your pool?

Yea, something similar. Really just to try to keep the wind from getting under the cover and tearing up the edges. The pool is on the Northwest Corner of our Yard and winter in North Dakota has some hellish winter winds. It held up great too, very happy with it.

 

[kne]

Pretty good idea. I thought for sure my winter cover was going to rip off last week, it looked like kids were paying parachute games with it.

 

[Gopherboy6956]

What does everyone use to backfill their Semi-Inground Pools? Dirt? Sand? Something else? I'm going to top it with some sort of rock to catch any splashing etc.

Thanks!

 

[Gopherboy6956]

Well spent a few days getting the new pool up. Here are some pictures. Just have to do a few small detail things and backfill/landscape!

Step one was getting rid of a little more dirt next to the deck - the old pool couldn't quite get close enough. Time to play with toys again!

Took out about another foot or so - don't worry, those concrete piers go a full 5 1/2 feet (below our frost depth)

And a fresh layer of sand midway through tamping

Had a few bad days of rain coming, and I didn't want this to all go to Crud, so comically oversized tarp it is.

Not bad - I can work with that

And after digging in and leveling all blocks with the laser level. Gotta admit, I hated this step.

And today's progress - a little more sand...

Fast forward to the wall up. Got a bit of a respite from the North Dakota wind while putting it up thankfully

Had a little "help" with some of this today

Foam cove installed wall foam installed, Armorshield down, and just tossed the liner over the edge to hang it (had it out in the sun for a bit to loosen it up). Also Unibead liner for the win, so easy!

Liner in and started filling. Also got the resin top rails on. Still have to do the top rail caps, but got a lot done today!

 

[Gopherboy6956]

Got time to work on the pool more - time to setup the Filter / Pump / Heater!

Pool Up and ready to go from last weekend -

Poured a quick and dirty slab to put this all on -

Testing the location -

Started to rain while working - Keep going!

Main plumbing and bypass done-

And Plumbing done (still raining)

 

[Pv2]

nice, like those brass ball valves, just bought a couple for a ranch water project. hope nobody steals them!

 

[Gopherboy6956]

Tell me about it - they're like $30 a pop lol.