Leveling the ground for a new Intex pool

[dtjoseph95]

Hi there, we just got a 20x52 ultra frame intex pool with the sand filter. We are working on leveling the spot but are having troubles knowing if it's level or not. To the eye it looks good but we know it's not. Any tips on how to level it out? Thanks Also any other set up tips would be great. :-)

[PoolDoc]

These are the 2 best YouTubes I could find:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4Xqlh5VoKo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GIcg-K4mhI

In your case, you can make a water level using about 20' of clear tubing like this:
www.lowes.com/pd_443209-104-SVIG20_0__?productId=4566550
Actually it would work best, if you get more tubing that, so you can have a water levels that will stretch 25' or so. But you'll need 2 sets of tubing and a coupler.

Smaller tubing will work, but it's hard to keep the smaller tubing free of air bubbles.

[dtjoseph95]

Thank you for the tips, the 2x4 board really helped. The ground is level as we can get it. We play to set up the pool tomorrow, anything special we need to do or any tips before we start?

[PoolDoc]

Hope all goes well for you!

[Pappy]

If you have not already done so, read this. Your life will be easier and your pool will be happier.

http://pool9.net/ssr/
http://pool9.net/ag-pool-problems/


If you have the cartridge filter, order GOOD cartridges now, the warning about the Intex cartridges is HUGELY understated. The test kit info is also very IMPORTANT!!!

If you have a sand filter, you might be interested in this,
http://www.walmart.com/ip/20434370
the picture is WRONG, the description is CORRECT. Many of the local Walmarts (Dallas TX area) have it in stock. I have an Intex 14" sand filter and about 1/8 cup seems to work great.

This is WHY you might be interested in D.E.
http://pool9.net/de-test/

Enjoy your new pool!

[dtjoseph95]

I'll read the first 2 links now. Thank you.
It is a sand filter which I thought might be better, (not sure if it's true just my thought) all the others I saw where cartridge filters. I know of DE quite well as I have horses and it's very popular to use with them. The last link isn't working. What's is help do? Do you just put it in the water? I was going to get the saltwater filter also instead of using chlorine.

[Watermom]

Here is what he was trying to give you in that last link:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/3742-Adding-DE-to-sand-filter

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[PoolDoc]

Mom, I'll do the p9 link list this evening . . .

[Watermom]

Thanks! :)

[dtjoseph95]

I have a question, if I have a sand filter and going to put on a saltwater system also, do I still need to do all the bleach and borax steps? where do you get borax from? Also, what is the best sand to use for the filter? Sorry newbie here, and a Coloradoian, pools aren't very common around here. I see a trip to the pool store in the very near future.

[Watermom]

I assume you mean the 'bleach and borax steps' from the SS Recipe? Yes, you do. You don't start up your SWCG until you have your water balanced.

You can get 20 Mule Team Borax at Walmart (laundry aisle).

You need to use sand made specifically for pool filters.

If you go to the Pool Store, don't let them talk you into buying a bunch of stuff you don't need! Trust me...... they'll try! ;)

[dtjoseph95]

Ok I'll get everything tomorrow and start the fill. Is there one filter sand better then another?

[Watermom]

I'll let someone else advise you about which sand filter but wondered....... what size pump do you have or have you not yet bought one? In the case of pool pumps, bigger is not better. You want a small pump paired with a larger sand filter for best filtration. Many AG pools have badly mismatched pumps and filters which is not good.

[dtjoseph95]

Ok now I feel silly...All I have is what came with the pool, is the sand filter not the pump also?

[PoolDoc]

1. SWCG (salt water chlorine generation) system are just a METHOD of adding chlorine. And, that's all they do. All the rest of pool water management (pH, CYA, TA, CH) has to be done the same way, PLUS you have to track salt levels.

2. Use labeled filter sand.

3. Few SWCG's generate enough chlorine to handle problems, like algae or a big group of sweaty kids. If you depend on them for that, you tend to (a) not solve the problem and (b) shorten the units life . . . a LOT.

[PoolDoc]

Some, but not all, Intex units include both pump and filter. Some are filter only. No idea what you have.

[dtjoseph95]

Ok I think it's this one.
http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Intex-Krystal-Clear-Sand-Filter-Pump/33153767?type=search
I got the pool at target.

[Pappy]

If it is a sand filter and it came with the pool, I'm pretty sure the pump is part of the package. As far as I can tell, ALL Intex SWCGs include a copper ionization "feature". Copper in the water makes blond hair green.

This is the Intex sand filter page
http://www.intexcorp.com/index.php/home/above-ground-pools/agp-accessories/sand-filter-pumps.html
If your unit looks similar to one of these, the pump is included.

[dtjoseph95]

Yes those are what it looks like. So how do you fix the copper turning hair green problem?

[Pappy]

If you're mechanically inclined, you can disconnect the power to the copper electrode. I've not seen a SWCG in person though, so I have no clue as to how SAFE or how easy it would be.

[dtjoseph95]

Will it turn green even if you showed after swimming?

Looks like you have a sand filter Pappy, what kind of filter sand do you use?

[Watermom]

Will it turn green even if you showed after swimming?


It can. Your hair will absorb it. Showering can't rinse off what your hair absorbs. I had it happen to me long ago before I had a pool and knew better. I was at the beach swimming in a hotel pool and my blonde hair turned green. At the time, I assumed it was because of chlorine. Now I know better; they must've been using a product that had copper in it. Now, if I travel and swim in a pool, I do NOT get my hair wet.

[Pappy]

I used one bag of sand from Leslies, put it in first, then I found a local Home Depot that carries Quikcrete Pool Filter Sand. I topped my filter off with that. The pool store sand is much more uniform than Quickcrete. I've had no problems. Just be sure to backwash before you start to filter or you'll pump sand into the pool.