New to AGP's

[Tpope]

My wife and I are looking into buying an above ground this year. We are looking at the Beachland Oval 15'X30' with no buttress. here is the link: http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=13919&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=123&iSubCat=170&iProductID=13919

My questions are:
Is this a quality pool? If not why? Is this common pricing for this type of pool?

Anyone have experience with this line?

I asked the price for install and the store quoted $1200.

I am disheartened at the price of install, I live in the country and our soil is sand, grading won't be too big an issue. We do have moles don't know what kinda problem that could pose. I have a tractor with grader and am sure I can read instructions and get pool sand delivered. Should I go about this adventure alone or pay a high price for someone to do it for me? What is the time frame for setting a pool like this?

[NWMNMom]

MOST of the work involves the ground prep, which is the MOST important part. If you don't see a problem getting a level and compact base, digging in the blocks, then the rest is just putting things together - It is a LOT of work either way but I believe 100% worth it.

We are just now filling our new 18x33 and had WAY more to do because the entire yard area had to be filled and compacted, edged, set for proper drainage, etc. instead of just leveling a spot for the pool (long story) If you just need to grade it level - have at it. Borrow or rent a transit - the best tool you can have for this job to be sure its all correct.

Don't know anything about the pool brand though - you may want to Google it, or find out who the actual manufacturer is and Google them. What is the warranty on it? That will tell you a lot about quality right there.

[hrsdennis]

Hi, that looks like a nice, high end pool. We have a lot of Leslies pool stores in my area and we do a few pools for them. We installed a couple of their ovals last year. This looks like the same model.

With a buttress free oval pool all they have done is transfered the support from outside of the pool to underneath the liner. In doing so most of the designs have become much more complicated. There are still a few fairly easy ones out there but most have been way over designed. This does complicate the install process a little.

In the Phoenix area we charge $950.00 to install this pool.

Two thoughts about doing it yourself. We finish a lot of jobs for poeple who get stuck. We most often have to take down whatever was done and start over. Can anyone do this? No, not everyone, but I have seen a lot of do it yourselfers do just fine.

You have a big advantage, you have us. Ask questions, post pictures when possible, and you will get a lot of help. That I can promise you.

Best of luck, Dennis

[Tpope]

o.k. I hear a lot of talk about compacting and using blocks and such. I live in sand nothing else around just sand for about 5-10' then clay. is compacting and setting blocks necessary with a deep sand base? I will prob just pay for the install to learn how to do it I just don't think it will be that complicated but I am new to this so what do I know. heh

[matt4x4]

You will need something a bit firmer than sand, unfortunately, sand likes to move, so I would recommend patio blocks under your uprights just to help hold everything in the proper place.
I built my own pool too, and it is a lot of work, however, not nearly as complicated as one would think - ground prep is key here, get it perfectly level either by using a water level - cheapest, or a transum.
WRT compacting, you can compact your sand, I would recommend it, using a rented gas plate compactor and water. Only you can decide whether or not you feel up to the job, but it is relatively easy from an instructional aspect, just pretty hard physically.

[Islander2C]

We paid 1200 for installation on our 27' AG Pool and I believe it was worth every penny!! Three guys came in and each one had his own job to do....it was amazing to watch. It was also very comforting to know that if anything went wrong, it was their problem to fix it. They did the ground preparation and everything! Highly recommend it!

[Tpope]

ok so here is my delima. I have read in a few places that the chemicals are not necessary to buy from dealer. all that is needed is bleach boric acid and baking soda. is this correct? if I don't have to buy the expensive pool chemicals that come in the package then I could just buy the pump/filter a test kit and put more to another pool. help me here if I am wrong... thanx

[CarlD]

TPope:
YES! You CAN run your pool with Bleach, Borax, Baking Soda, Muriatic Acid and Cyanuric Acid. AND NOTHING ELSE. Most of us do that now. I've been doing it for years. The ONLY chemical you need from the pool store or the pool section is Cyanuric Acid, called CYA, or Chlorine Stabilizer, or just Stabilizer.

See the Chlorine forum for the B-B-B thread.

Getting a good test kit will be the best investment you can make in maintaining your pool. There are 3 or 4 we can recommend. Get a test kit, not test strips. It's a little daunting at first but with practice, it's easy. My kid keeps fish and the water tests are far more complicated and he runs them with ease--and he's 11!

Site preparation cannot be neglected. It is the single most important part of pool preparation for ANY Above Ground pool, from a tiny 8' EasySet donut to a 45' long monster. You may THINK your ground is level, but if it's more than 1/2" off over that 30', you can have troubles. If it settles, you can have troubles. Have them do it, have them warranty their work in writing, and consider it worth it.

I'll bet that doesn't include electrical work either, does it. If it does than it is the BIGGEST bargain! Most codes require that the electrical be done in a very specific way.

Once you decide, talk to us about your pump and filter options too, and maybe we can help.

[matt4x4]

all AG installs i've seen have NOT had electrical included, that seems to always be the homeowners responsibility to get done. Probably because of teh permit involved.
Since the pool is not a permanent structure, up here, permits are not required, making the install of one a simple matter. Electrical is different though...

[Tpope]

well my dad is an electrician so that part wont be the problem. the pump is a 1hp w/ sand filter. is second under the DE filter where I am purchasing.

[Tpope]

OK......Got the pool! I am stoked. I went with the high end pool instead of the first choice. http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=9153&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=123&iSubCat=170&iProductID=9153 take a look. It is the 15' X 30' NB. Got a Hayward sand filter w/ 1.5hp pump. Liner is awesome with tile accent around top and sandy design throughout. Pool will actually be delivered next wednesday and hopefully installed that week or next. I have been looking around for info on filling and such with little success so here are a few questions.

How long will this take to fill(yes I have to use tap as my well has way too many metals and rust in it)?
Will the sun damage liner during fill?
I bought the CYA, just need the bleach, myuratic acid, borax and baking soda right?
What do you start off with as far as adding chemicals?
Will my job (24hr on 48hr off with occasional 48hr on) get me too far in the hole with keeping up with my pool?

I know that there are more than a few questions but I am eager and very thatkful for the support and advise I have already received. This forum really is a great place for noobs like myself....Thanks Again from South Texas!

[hrsdennis]

Hi Tpope, congrats on the pool selection. You should be happy with it.

Fill time should take between 24 to 48 hours, give or take. The sun will not damage your liner. The pool can be emptied and refilled a hundred times as long as you always have at least 6" of water in it.

I worked as an EMT years ago and I had the same hours. It should be easy to work in the pool maintanance without a problem.

I will let others answer the chemical questions. Not my expertise:)

Best of luck, Dennis

[Watermom]

Test your fill water with a drops based kit and post your results. Then, someone here can help you get started.

[CarlD]

Congratulations!

How long to fill depends on the flow from your tap. You should have about 12,000 gallons so if it's 1000 gallons a minute, 12 minutes!:rolleyes:
100 gallons/minute, 2 hours. 20 gallons a minute, 10 hours, etc.

I like to add bleach as soon as I have a foot of water, dribbling it slowly all around the pool, but NOT on the liner! A single gallon of bleach will be fine for the first fill and gives you some protection. You MAY want to prepare a dose of CYA in an old stocking also. Figure to use no more than HALF of what they recommend for your 12,000 gallons. Even a 1/4 is fine--it's easy to add more, hard to get rid of. Testing will wait till the pool is full.

One thing to check. Make ABSOLUTELY certain the maximum flow the filter can tolerate is greater than the maximum flow of the pump. If it's not, either get a bigger filter or a smaller pump.

[Tpope]

i bought CYA in liquid form so what to do?

[CarlD]

Liquid form? Does it say "Cyanuric Acid"? Not familiar with it.

[Tpope]

Well let me clarify. I was asked which form I wanted and I was told liquid was easier cause it didnt have to be disolved. I havent actually looked at it so it may very well be powder form.

[Tpope]

FYI, do a google search and you will find 100% Liquid CYA around $24 per gallon.

[Tpope]

Well, the pool is up!!!!! I can't wait til you all come by for a glass of iced tea and a smoke to help break it in....J/k. I had some problems with the shipping and getting the parts here for the build as if you couldn't tell by the long delay in posting...
Got a question....I am filling with tap water... We live in the country so brown water isn't new. Will the water clear when it is pumped through the sand filter? I know we had a cartridge filter on a smaller pool and it did after a couple of days. Right now the pool is about a foot deep and yellowish brown.
I am also looking at what to do for the landscaping around the pool. Any ideas would be great....Thanks for your encouragement!

[CarlD]

It should clear up. You can also add a little DE to the sand filter--1/3 to 1 cup, enough to raise pressure 1 lb. This will allow the sand to filter much finer particles. DE is pretty cheap--10# costs around $8 and will last a sand filter owner all summer. You need more DE everytime you backwash. You don't HAVE to add DE, though.

[Tpope]

Ok what do you think?

Fc 5
Tc 5
ph 7.4
TA 110
CYA 30

The pool was finally full this AM. I did the whole backwash bit then filtration. TC initially was 3. With all other levels same. Family went for first swim had a blast. Get out and the pool is CLOUDY beyond belief. I do know that there alot of fine sediments in our water that will have to be filtered out. After the swim I added more bleach for good measure as I am probably getting in tonight with the wife to relax after the kiddos have gone to sleep. Tested and the results are as stated above 2 hrs after the bleach. Looking at the pool at dusk it looks greenish. Shining our outdoor light in it makes it the same as previously stated (sandy color). Just wondering should I be worried about algae this early? (Took about 16hrs to fill) If I should be worrying and decide to shock it do I wait til the levels drop to norm to swim? Dont have a vacuum, will the auto cleaner work?

Also, could some of the color (cloudy/milky) color be the borax and baking soda I added?

Thanx

[CarlD]

Your numbers are perfect, so unless you have reason to think you have algae, I'm guessing it's all sediment. You may want to vacuum the bottom to waste, see if that helps.

If not, it's maybe time for a flocculant. Here's a good one that won't mess things up. Put in a quart of Polyquat algaecide--nothing but polyquat.

It will say "Poly...<something>...60%" and the rest inert ingredients. Don't worry about the title--yellow algaecide, mustard algaecide, black algaecide--just that it's polyquat 60%. It doubles as floc and won't hurt your water in ANY way. The ONLY side effect is your chlorine will drop and you'll have to boost it.

Polyquat is mostly a preventative, but it does floc as well, and it's safe. The WORST is you'll buy a quart of the stuff.

[Tpope]

O.K. Got the polyquat in and about 1/2 cup of DE in the filter after backwashing the already pulled crap. Took a bit to flush but worked. The pool looks a bit clearer, still milky though. I hope it is clean by saturday, my kids are having thier first B-Day/ Swimming party. I let the cleaner do its thing to clean the floor for about 3 hrs today.....Any other suggestions?

[CarlD]

You always need another ingredient....P.O.P.P.
































....

Pool Owner Patience & Persistence!

[Tpope]

Thx again CarlD, You guys porbably do know because you were there once but this place is a priceless tool. I remember 3 weeks ago just reading posts to try to diagnose in my head what was wrong with chemical readings in hopes to put the knowledge to good use. Once I get good at taking care of my own pool I would like to do AGP's on the side as there aren't many people who service them around here. Once again, Thx for the knowledge and support. I am sure I will be asking plenty of questions in the future......

[Tpope]

Quick question regarding cove. It is a sand cove and for the most part is good but where the 3 supports are on each side is a divet or dip in the cove, it feels like the sand retreated under the support. Will this hurt the liner?

[hrsdennis]

Sounds like the sand is settling in and around your side supports. In moderation this is not a problem. If the liner is coming in contact with any metal from the pool structure I would drain and fix ASAP.

Dennis