Hello, first time poster. I wasn’t sure where to post this. I searched a little bit on these forums and I googled it but I didn’t come up with anything so here goes...
I’m not a pool guy but I’ve been an aquarist and worked in the aquarium industry for a while. Our community pool isn’t open yet but the weather is nice, so I went to Target two weeks ago and purchased a Bestway 8’ inflatable pool for our 5 and 3 year olds. I set it up and filled it - with the included “filter” it was cloudy in 3 days. I did some more research and learned that I need to treat it like a real pool/spa or I’ll have to constantly drain and refill it. Cool, I think I can do that. But before I got into it, it really seemed like the non-existent filtration needed to be upgraded so I dug into my stash of already owned aquarium equipment and redneck-style hooked it all up. If I can keep fish and coral alive, surely I can kill algae and bacteria?
Included are -
- Aquatop CF500 canister filter w/9 watt UV sterilizer, 575gph. I’m only running the floss filter pads and a 44oz bag of Chemipure Green
- EcoTech Marine MP40 powerhead for additional water movement, ~4000gph
- JBJ 800watt titanium heater for when it’s a little cooler
- I use an aquarium net to manually scoop out any detritus twice a day
I read through this article, purchased the products, did the startup doses and have been testing twice a day. Chlorine levels around 2-2.5. I have no idea how long it will last, but the water has been nice and warm and crystal clear for 1.5 weeks, with the kids in for at least an hour every day so far.
Any tips? Tricks? Long term thoughts? This will surely only be a seasonal thing, especially once the community pool opens. Any information or help you could provide would be great. Thanks!
I’m not a pool guy but I’ve been an aquarist and worked in the aquarium industry for a while. Our community pool isn’t open yet but the weather is nice, so I went to Target two weeks ago and purchased a Bestway 8’ inflatable pool for our 5 and 3 year olds. I set it up and filled it - with the included “filter” it was cloudy in 3 days. I did some more research and learned that I need to treat it like a real pool/spa or I’ll have to constantly drain and refill it. Cool, I think I can do that. But before I got into it, it really seemed like the non-existent filtration needed to be upgraded so I dug into my stash of already owned aquarium equipment and redneck-style hooked it all up. If I can keep fish and coral alive, surely I can kill algae and bacteria?
Included are -
- Aquatop CF500 canister filter w/9 watt UV sterilizer, 575gph. I’m only running the floss filter pads and a 44oz bag of Chemipure Green
- EcoTech Marine MP40 powerhead for additional water movement, ~4000gph
- JBJ 800watt titanium heater for when it’s a little cooler
- I use an aquarium net to manually scoop out any detritus twice a day
I read through this article, purchased the products, did the startup doses and have been testing twice a day. Chlorine levels around 2-2.5. I have no idea how long it will last, but the water has been nice and warm and crystal clear for 1.5 weeks, with the kids in for at least an hour every day so far.
Any tips? Tricks? Long term thoughts? This will surely only be a seasonal thing, especially once the community pool opens. Any information or help you could provide would be great. Thanks!
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