Above Ground Pool

My wife and I are thinking about getting one of the above ground pools at Walmart. We've been wanting one for the last couple of years but have never done so. What size do you guys suggest? She is thinking 18' but the 16' is about $100 cheaper. Is there that much difference in a 16' vs 18' pool? I didn't know how many of you had this type of pool. Also, I'm worrying this is going to be expensive with all the tabs, shock, etc., but one of our friends have one and they say its not that bad to keep up.

 

Your link just goes to walmart. Aside from that, yes it can be a bit of work. Biggest thing is be vigilant in checking the water's chemical levels adjusted properly and keeping it clean. I've found that the type of test kits where you take some pool water and add drops to test are more reliable than the dip in strips. It is relaxing. Love having drinks in the pool on a hot summer day. If it turns out to be too much work you just take it down.

 

I think when I typed walmart it just automatically put it as a link. My biggest concern is our backyard has some trees in it and its not 100% level. It slopes get bigger as you go further back but closer to the deck or my storage building depending on where we put it plays a part in it as well. I just don't know what size to get. Also, the friends that we know, he was saying make sure the pool that we get has a valve that you can turn the water off when you change the filter b/c if not, you will get soaked and water gushes out. I'm not sure how to tell if a pool does by looking at the pics online. They have an Intex brand. The two brands at walmart is Coleman and Summer Waves.

 

These are the ones that we are debating between. Is a 16' vs 18' pool that much difference?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-...ump-Ladder-Cover-and-Maintenance-Kit/40720867

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-...ies-18-x-48-Frame-Swimming-Pool-Set/575982053

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Summer-W...ump-System-And-Deluxe-Accessory-Set/625140377

 

Make sure you dont put it on top of weeds in the yard. We had some actually grow through the bottom of the pool. I patched the holes at the end of the summer and set it up on the cement back porch the next year. It was the Intex brand.

 

One of the most important things to do is prep the ground before you build the pool and fill it with water. Spend the time to level and back fill the area with a few inches of sand to make a flat, even surface for the pool bottom to lay on. Trust me, getting the bottom right before a few tons of water go in is the key to making sure the pool liner lasts and you don't have issues later.

 

A friend of ours said that they would only by an Intex brand. They are hard to find seems like this year. I remember seeing them last year, but does brand matter? He said that his has a water cut off valve when he changes the filters, but the other ones you can just turn the pump off and plug the inlet and outlet holes, correct?

 

Yes mine had the plugs for the pump hoses.

 

Also if you are going to put it on the grass you can buy a pad to put it on. I think it called a gorilla pad or rhino pad or something like that. The grass and weeds wont grow through it.

 

Old carpet works wonders once you level the ground under the pool. Had these growing up they were nice if keep clorinated and clean.

 

It comes with a mat to go under the pool in the box. Unless I need to put something additional. Is 2' around that much difference to worry about? I think not, but my wife is questioning if it will be too small.

 

Yes and no. It depends how many people will be in at once time. Bigger is always better when swimming with the kids from my experience. (If you have them)

 

Its just my wife, 6 yr old daughter, and myself. Maybe one or two more people at the most but mainly for just us three.

 

I would say get the bigger one then.

 

As mentioned make sure, double and triple check the spot is level. I tried to set one up but my yard was not perfect, I spent over a week flattening out a spot, checking with levels etc. the spot wasn't perfect and with a few inches of water in it the pool got a severe lean, took it down and sold on craigslist...

 

So it seems that Intex is the "big dog" for these types of pools but I've noticed a couple of things when looking at different ones. The Summer Waves brand has an actual skimmer on the side then connected to the filter which I've seen some people convert these to use the Intex Sand filter. With that being said, the Intex pools doesn't have a skimmer, so what do you use except for a net the catch the top debris?

 

We have a 12 foot Intex (sounds small but it’s actually great for the wife and i plus our young kids just to relax. I upgraded the pump to one with more power so we can vacuum and stuff

As stated, prep ground and get it as level as possible, I recommend a tarp under the pool to prevent weeds from poking through.

Intex can be found on Amazon all day long

Trey

 

I bought the 15' round Intex 4 years ago and we have been happy with it. I did upgrade the pump to a sand filter as well as converted it to a salt water pool. the maintenance is virtually nothing except for the weekly vacuuming. I do break it down every winter and store in in the basement. The pad was torn up 3 years ago and I put down a sand pad and also cover it with a tarp.
Almost time to set it back up.
My model also has a real skimmer and not the inlet from the wall on some models. The one thing I hated about the provided filter was it didn't seem much bigger than the one on my 30g fish tank. Invest a little more now and you will be golden. Having vacuum suction makes all the difference.

 

I was thinking about purchasing the sand filter but now I don't know what to do as far as skimmer.....I saw the one you can buy for $20 that attaches to the top of the pool. The vacuum doesn't come with the Intex according to the website, but the two at walmart does, summer waves and coleman pools.

 

Ok so the only Intex brand polls we have found are an 18’ x 48” at target for $499.99, a 16’x48” at academy sports for $299.99, and a 20’x48” at academy sports for $399.99. All are the Ultra frame pools. My wife wants the 20’x48”. I’m just not sure if it’s too big.