Buying an AG swimming pool. Need some Advice

[TheCakeIsALie]

I have been wanting an all year round stay up swimming for as long as I can remember. So I decided to bite the bullet and buy one. I won't be getting it until the end of summer as prices should be cheaper. (Hopefully) I plan on buying the pool all the stuff that goes with it on eBay, as I found some great deals for some of the stuff. Since the pool only comes with the pool and skimmer. I have to buy everything else to go with it. I just don't know what else I need to buy. Here is what I have so far on my list.

Sharkline 24' x 48 Round AGP
Pro 4500GPH 19" Sand Filter w/ 1.5HP Above Ground Swimming Pool Pump System
24' round 20-gauge blue overlap liner
48 - 54 pool Ladder
Chlorine Chemical Feeder Dispenser w/ Thermometer
5-way test kit
10lb Chlorine 3" tablets
Pool startup chemical kit
Pool cleaning maintenance kit (leaf thingy hose and vacuum)

What else do I need? I know I need more chemicals like shock, algecide and what else? I might use the pool for a month before closing it for the winter. ( plan on getting it in August) I would like to set it up and have it ready for next summer when it comes.

What kind of winter cover do I need? Any suggestions? Also I have a question about the liner. It is for 48" or 52" walls, since my pool is 48. Would I be able to dig down the extra inches to make my pool around 52" deep? Or will the line not hold up to that? I read this was possible I just didn't know if it had to be an expansible liner to do it.

Thank you in advance for the help whom ever helps me. :)

[aylad]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!!

Some of the others will comment on your shopping list, but here are a few things I see that I would do differently...

1) a 1 1/2 HP pump is too big for this pool. You're only talking about roughly 13,500 gallons...I have a 1 Hp pump on my roughly 26K gallon pool and it's all the pump I need. A pump that is too big will create problems for you in the long run. The equipment guys will comment on this, but I would think a 3/4 HP pump would be plenty for this size pool.

2) the 5-way test kit, if it uses drops, might be okay--but we very strongly recommend the K-2006 kit that can be found online in the link in my sig. A good test kit is a MUST if you don't want your wallet to be at the mercy of the pool stores.

3) If the chlorine tablets contain copper, forget it. Adding metals to your pool water is adding problems, even if it's cheap. Lots of folks find out the hard way that cheaper up front can be really expensive long-term.

4)Pool startup chemical kit--you can probably forget this, because you can get most everything you need (except the test kit) at WalMart for a lot cheaper. Don't know what's in the kit, but basically you're gonna need bleach, borax, baking soda, maybe some muriatic acid, and a little stabilizer. Nothing else. You don't need "shock", or algaecide (chlorine bleach does both and doesn't add unwanted stuff to your water).

5. Do some reading--lots and lots of it--around this forum and at our sister site, PoolSolutions.com. For now, you can use the Google search feature in my sig to search through the forums, although you may have to log out to read the threads until Ben completes your registration. AFter that, spend as much time reading as you can, and feel free to ask any questions that you'll have! :)

[TheCakeIsALie]

Thank you for the great suggestions. I read your guide on BBB method it does seem really helpful. Question about the bleach though any kind you would recommend as I really don't know what i'm really looking for.

[Watermom]

Most of us just buy generic at Walmart. Just make sure it is plain, unscented bleach.