New setup- driveway? 16x48 Ultra Intex / Saltwater

[roverdew]

Hi,

New user here. I have a new setup 16x48 Ultra Intex / Saltwater in the box. I have a very sloped yard with lots of mature trees and extensive root systems... digging is not an option. Other than a dump truck full of dirt/sand, my only option is a two car cement parking pad off of my driveway. The issue I have is that it has a pitch for drainage. Does anyone have a great way to level it so that it will work? I am worried that if I level it with sand, when it rains, the sand will wash away under/ around the pool and cause issues. I'm setting up this weekend and would rather get it right from the get go. :)

One other question... Is there a cheap/ diy heating option? The pool will get partial sun part of the day (again, big leafy trees). It'd be great to have a warmish pool.

Thanks in advance!!

[Watermom]

I'll let someone else address pool setup questions.

But, I will tell you that as far as cheap/diy heating options, you might consider a solar panel. Having a solar panel makes a huge difference in the water temperature, especially if you combine that with the use of a solar cover on the pool and neither one of those items is very expensive.

By the way, why don't you go ahead and order a good test kit so you'll have it ready to use right from the get-go. The one we recommend is the Taylor K2006 or 2006C (better buy). It isn't available locally, but you can get it through our link that takes you to Amazon:
http://pool9.net/tk/

Another couple of things for you to read include our Super Simple Start-Up Recipe which makes it so easy to get the initial pool chemistry right. Read more about it here: http://pool9.net/ssr/

Lastly, be sure you visit our sister website www.poolsolutions.com. Lots of good info there as well!

(Until your registration is complete, you won't be able to see the rest of the forum or follow these links while you are still logged in. So, copy the links and paste them in a browser window after you log out.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[PoolDoc]

. . . membership upgraded.

Were you able to get your pool up?

(Sorry, I didn't get to you sooner, but I'm not sure I could have helped. The only solutions I've heard of for situations like yours involved wooden platforms -- and most of those didn't work well!)

[Pappy]

How much pitch is on the slab? Our 15' Intex is about 1" out of level. I'd think that if you were within an inch of level across the 16', you'll be ok, but I wouldn't go any more than an inch. If it IS more than an inch, I'd level it with a self leveling compound like is used under ceramic floor tiles or a "sand mix" cement.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-60-lb-Sand-Topping-Mix-110360/100318505

Also, the perimeter of the pool being flat and level is far more important than the middle. You want all the legs to be level with each other and the area between the feet of the legs to be level with the feet. However if it slopes gradually 2 or 3 inched downward toward the center, that wouldn't hurt anything, and would save on leveling material.

Also, if you have the cartridge filter, order a couple of the good cartridges (referenced earlier in the Super Simple Recipe) now. Our experience with Intex cartridges was dismal at best.

[roverdew]

Thanks for the replies. We measured the pitch of the parking pad and it was too steep for what we wanted to do. I spoke to a neighbor that had a big tractor about my predicament and he kindly came over and leveled a nice area in our orchard. It was about 4in too high on one side. We added about 1500lbs of sand over the top and little brick pavers under each foot. Filled the pool last night. The legs all popped outward with the swelling of the pool liner and we had to jack up the sides to move the brick over to the proper placement. All in all, it looks quite level and for the most part stable. I'm concerned about sand washing away and leaving us lop sided eventually... our soil is mostly clay with a little sand mixed in... great stuff for the most part, but will suck just about anything down into itself in a big rain storm.

We hooked up the saltwater system and dumped a good 125lbs of salt in the pool. Going to get a test kit tomorrow and we'll see how it goes! :) Thanks for the help!!!

[PoolDoc]

Great!

[Pappy]

You "Probobly" want to disconnect the copper ionizer part of the SWCG.

[Watermom]

No doubt about it. Disconnect it. (Unless you happen to like green hair and fingernails! :))

[roverdew]

Why disconnect the copper thingy? Doesn't it fight the algea?

[Pappy]

It does. It also turns blonde hair green, and in some cases fingernails too. It stains pool liners. It will eventually turn your water the color of the statue of liberty.

Most properly maintained chlorine pools will NEVER need copper based algaecides. No properly maintained chlorine pool needs a daily dose of copper.

[PoolDoc]

Pappy, what you said is almost all correct . . . but 25+ years of messing with pools and pool chemistry have taught me that "Never" is a word I should avoid! (Not that I always remember that. ;) :o )