Off topic - Anyone have an above ground pool?

aileencrone · May 2012

Target has an Intex 16x48 above ground pool on sale this week for $319. It looks to be a great deal, and I'm in Memphis where it is already expected to hit 100 degrees this week. Perhaps TMI, but I also think the bigger I get, it might be an easier way to be romantic.

Anyone have one? Are they hard to keep up? Would it be worth the extra investment for a salt water pump?

Thanks girls!

BarooGirl · May 2012

I dont have an above ground but I grew up in my Parent's pool business.

16x48 is really large to not have a main drain (the drain in the bottom of the pool that help filters). So you will be sweeping a lot.

I dont know anything about saltwater pumps, sorry.

A normal sand filter will be fine. The key is to do weekly chemical maintenance on it- even if it doesnt look like it needs its. This sounds harder than it is and is really more about checking the PH and Chlorine levels and adjusting before it looks bad. Also, when you fill it, make sure you are putting in some type of water conditioner to take the iron and stuff out.

My parents checked ours about 2x a week- or the day after a big rain (messes the PH), the day after a lot of people in it (needs shocked with extra chlorine) or after some really hot hot days (sun "burns up" the chlorine). And, if the PH is off, the chlorine will not work as well.

Keeping the PH and Chlorine levels just right will keep your pool clear all year. My parents pool is never green or cloudy just by getting ahead of the problems.

$319 sounds like a great deal!

ToiKenne · May 2012

Does a salt water pump mean the water is salt water? If so, I don't think I'd like swimming in that.

teresamartini11 · May 2012

Intex is not the best brand and is expensive to fix. However since they are not super expensive if you are ok with the possibility of having to replace the whole pool in about 5 years then its fine (the parts are so expensive that if something fails it's usually cheaper to buy a new one then try and fix it). It's not super hard to keep up usually testing the water for pH and chlorine about once a week and adding chemicals to adjust accordingly. Salt pumps work by turning sodium chloride (salt) into chlorine. So, contrary to popular belief salt water pools still have chlorine in them. The major advantage of salt pools is that salt is cheaper to by then chlorine, but the pumps are more expensive so you really only save money on a large frequently used pool (like the kinds in a hotel). I think salt pools smell better, but if your pool is kept clean it won't smell to strong of chlorine. I hope that helps, my DH works at a pool and spa store.

EmeraldEyedLady · May 2012

If it's one of the soft sided ones that are everywhere right now, then we've had one. We had the 15'X48" one. I will say that the pump that comes with it is really too small for the pool and you have to change out the filter every 4 - 7 days to keep it clean. I'm not sure if the salt water pump is worth it, though because they are kind of expensive. They are a great cheap pool to have around for a while, but I don't think if them as a permanent solution. We're thinking of getting another one this year, but are also in the process of putting away some money to get a more permanent above ground pool in the next year or two.

seraphiclust · May 2012

We started off with one of the intex soft sided pools a few years ago and only used it for the summer. The pump didn't work to well and no matter what we did the water would go green over and over again. I found it to be a big pain. The pump was leaky too. It sits in the corner of our garage now til I find the energy to clean it up and put it on craigslist for someone who wants a free pool :P

We had an an actual aluminum above ground with liner installed last year with a sand filter, etc and love it. It was obviously a much bigger expense however. I never have problems keeping the water balanced in this one. Always clear and less of a hassle!

I'd say since it is such an affordable pool the Intex is the way to go if you don't mind it possibly being a one summer deal or you don't mind spending the money on new parts and extra chemicals to keep it clear. (Or the time emptying and refilling it.) If you are interested in something more long term I definitely prefer our new pool over the cheaper intex one (but you get what you pay for!)

tiffhiam · May 2012

My sister has the salt water pool and loves it so much better than doing all the chemicals. Its way easier up keep and doesnt burn your eyes or dry out your skin. I would highly recommend upgrading to the salt water pump.

leiainoz · May 2012

My in-law's own a pool & spa business which I have just happened to work the last 3 summers at, so here is my advice...

- Intex pools are cheap. The price is great (a similar sized AG pool would cost you around $4,000 minimum) BUT keep in mind a few things about an Intex brand pool: (1) They buy their parts from whoever makes them cheapest, every year. This means every year the parts may or may not be made somewhere new, and may or may not work with your pool, (2) the pump and filter system that come with Intex pools are CRAP. Consider buying the Hayward pump & sand filter made for Intex pools from a pool & spa vendor (preferably one who is also a licensed Hayward repair facility, should you ever have issues). The Hayward will cost you about $200 new, but you will save money in the long run because you won't have to buy the replaceable filters for the Intex pool, instead you can just buy filter sand, which is much cheaper (we sell for $8.50/50 lb bag).

- That's a pretty large pool not to have a main drain, so you will be vacuuming and cleaning a lot.

- I personally wouldn't use a salt system on an Intex pool. Basically, they work to produce chlorine using salt, and they can be awesome if you are really good with chemical maintenance and do a great job of keeping up on your pool. So, the system still uses chlorine - it just produces it through a process using salt. However, if you don't, or if you hit any water chemistry issues, they can also be expensive and frustrating. Since you're going for a cheaper pool, I wouldn't personally invest in the salt system (though if you were upgrading to a tradtional AG or IG and already knew you had water chemistry down very well, I would 100% recommend it). A basic automatic chlorinator (like the Hayward CL200) or even floating chlorine tablets will be fine and easier for a first-time pool owner. If you're not interested in using chlorine, products like Baquacil or Aqua Silk (baquanide-based) or even a bromine-based product are available, but in my opinion are more hassle and more expensive than they are worth. I prefer chlorine or salt.

- Finally - just don't be lazy with chemical care. It is much cheaper to maintain proper levels in the pool than it is to correct a problem once its there. Check you free and total chlorine levels several times a week - you need to be holding free chlorine for the pool to be sanitized. Check your pH and don't let it get too low or too high - too low, and you run the risk of corrosive water, which will destroy your equipment, too high, and you'll have more issues with metals coming out of suspension, not to mention it will be harder to hold your free chlorine. That burn your eyes feeling or strong smell - that should never be there on any pool unless its just been shocked - that is more likely a sign of poor chemical treatment (usually too much total chlorine and not enough free, or too low pH).

- We always recommend using Chlorine tablets, treating with liquid shock, and using an algicide regularly (to prevent algae before it starts, we use GLB so 4oz per 10k gallons weekly is the treatment). A stain & scale product isn't a bad idea either, and opening with stabilizer will help your chlorine start out on the right foot.

- I would advise finding a local pool & spa store you can buy chemicals from & get advice from. We test water for free and help people with chemical issues - something like that might be really useful for you as you start out as a new pool owner. They might be able to help you more with decisions about salt systems v. automatic chlorinators v. floating tablets, and pumps & filters, etc.

Enjoy your pool! They are great to have & aren't as hard as you might think to keep up if you just get into a regular maintenance schedule.

BarooGirl · May 2012

leiainoz:

pool & spa business which I have just happened to work the last 3 summers at, so here is my advice...

Ahhh, you just made me a little "home sick" for my parents P&S business they had while I was growing up. I may just have to stop in the ol' "Rubber Duckie" and have a sniff today.

:::wipes nostalgic tear:::

Midwest? Indiana?

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Off topic - Anyone have an above ground pool?

Re: Off topic - Anyone have an above ground pool?

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