My First post/Question

[dirtymartini]

I posted my first question here last night waiting for moderator approval but it seems to have dissapeared?

[Watermom]

I don't know. It is not in the moderation queue.

What question do you need help with?

Welcome to the Pool Forum, by the way!

[PoolDoc]

There are several buttons around the edit box that appears when you post. If you press the wrong one, your post can disappear. My personal favorite is to press the "+Reply to Thread" button, instead of the "Post Quick Reply" button. I must have lost a dozen posts this season that way.

However, now that I'm 58, I can blame it on "flatulence of the brain, characteristic of aging seniors". ;)

[dirtymartini]

Thanks for the Welcome!

My question is this...I'm looking for an AG pool and trying to decide between Oval(16x24) and Round 24'. I have been looking at Doughboy and Buster Crabbe but can't seem to find anything about Buster Crabbe. Doughboy seems to be top notch. BTW this will be our first pool so we really don't know anything! Any advice appreciated.

[dirtymartini]

There are several buttons around the edit box that appears when you post. If you press the wrong one, your post can disappear. My personal favorite is to press the "+Reply to Thread" button, instead of the "Post Quick Reply" button. I must have lost a dozen posts this season that way.

However, now that I'm 58, I can blame it on "flatulence of the brain, characteristic of aging seniors". ;)

I'm right behind you at 54...now, what was I talking about ;-)

[Watermom]

I don't know anything about Buster Crabbe pools so can't help you there. As far as oval vs. round --- maybe think about which one would best fit the space in your yard where you plan to install it. Personally, I've always had round pools. Maybe you'll get some other opinions about this.

While you are in the planning stage, I want to make a couple of suggestions to you. Go ahead and order a good test kit before your pool is up so you'll have it from day one. The one we recommend is the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C which you can get through the testkit link in my signature below. Also, do a lot of reading here on the forum and also on our sister website www.poolsolutions.com. (Until your registration is completed, you'll need to log out to be able to see the rest of the forum.)

[dirtymartini]

I don't know anything about Buster Crabbe pools so can't help you there. As far as oval vs. round --- maybe think about which one would best fit the space in your yard where you plan to install it. Personally, I've always had round pools. Maybe you'll get some other opinions about this.

While you are in the planning stage, I want to make a couple of suggestions to you. Go ahead and order a good test kit before your pool is up so you'll have it from day one. The one we recommend is the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C which you can get through the testkit link in my signature below. Also, do a lot of reading here on the forum and also on our sister website www.poolsolutions.com. (Until your registration is completed, you'll need to log out to be able to see the rest of the forum.)

That's what worries me about Buster Crabbe pools, there is not a lot of information out there about them. I know this may open a can of worms but what's better, steel or aluminum? I read a big long thread about it but there didn't seem to be any conclusion.

[PoolDoc]

I can't help with the DB vs BC question, but your membership is upgraded. -ben

[dirtymartini]

I can't help with the DB vs BC question, but your membership is upgraded. -ben

Thanks PoolDoc!

[BigDave]

On Round vs. Oval, If you can fit a round, get round. They are simpler, cheaper, and there's less to fail.

[dirtymartini]

On Round vs. Oval, If you can fit a round, get round. They are simpler, cheaper, and there's less to fail.

We are looking at a 16X24 oval and a 24 round. I compared the square footage and with the 24' round it seems like we are getting a lot more pool for about $550 less money. Right now we are leaning towards the Doughboy "Desert Spring" 24' round. I have a $300 coupon and with buying the package you get the first five years 100% warranty.

[Watermom]

What size of pump and what type and size of filter comes with the package. AG pool packages are notorious for pairing a too large pump with a too small filter and that causes problems for many pools. In the case of pool pumps, bigger is not better.

[dirtymartini]

What size of pump and what type and size of filter comes with the package. AG pool packages are notorious for pairing a too large pump with a too small filter and that causes problems for many pools. In the case of pool pumps, bigger is not better.

The 24' round would have a 1.5 HP with a 175lb sand filter.

[Watermom]

That is not a good combination. Too big of a pump for this pool and not a big enough filter for it. Can you make any changes. A 3/4hp pump is plenty for this pool and if you can pair that with at least a 200 lb. sand filter all the better.

PoolDoc or Mark may have a better suggestion for pump/filter combo for your pool.

(I used to have a 24ft AG before I bought a bigger pool this year which is a 27ft AG with 54" walls -- about 18,300 gallons. I have a full-rated 1/2 hp inground pump. It was plenty big enough for the old pool and also my new pool. (I have a 300 lb. sand filter.)

[dirtymartini]

I will check on changing the pump size...I just stopped at another reputable pool dealer (been around for 47 years in our area) at looked at a 24' round Swim'n Play Mystic II and a Aquarian Nuance. Have you heard of these brands? Any opinions? They both have a stainless service panel. I had another pool dealer tell me to stay away from a pool with the stainless panel, that it would corrode where the stainless and regular steel meet???

[BigDave]

...I had another pool dealer tell me to stay away from a pool with the stainless panel, that it would corrode where the stainless and regular steel meet???

I'll bet none of his pools have SS service panels. In my experience, listening to salesmen bad-mouth others products tells you more about the salesman than the product.

[dirtymartini]

Does anyone have experience with Swim'N Play pools?

[dirtymartini]

Well, I think we have decided on a Doughboy Desert Spring 24' 54" round pool!