Need advice on stairs for above ground pool

[RaceAngel88]

We're building a deck around the pool. I'd like to have wedding cake steps going down into the pool; however we live in Nebraska where it freezes every winter. Can I even have that type of stairs or do I need something that can be easily pulled out when closing the pool? Can anyone recommend some stairs that have worked well for you?

[FormerBromineUser]

Can't help much, sorry. However, I have read that wedding cake stairs can harbor algae, so be sure to drill holes in them to increase circulation if you choose them.

[RaceAngel88]

I've heard that too. Maybe I should consider other options.

[FormerBromineUser]

How about any of these?
Confer CCX-AG steps (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00BOUJ69G/poolbooks/)
[ links to poorly rated steps removed - Admin ]

[AnnaK]

We live in Pennsylvania. Our AGP freezes every winter. We have wedding cake steps which we lift out and store under the pool deck when we close in October. The pool is now in its 10th season. We drilled 2" holes into the sides of the steps to facilitate water circulation. When I brush the pool using the Wall Whale brush I make it a point to push water against the steps to give it some extra circulation. We do get algae where the bottom of the steps rests on the floor of the pool but that easily remedied by lifting the steps up and brushing the area.

[RaceAngel88]

After reading many reviews on Amazon and other sites, I decided on the Confer steps (2nd link that FormerBromineUser posted above). I also purchased the curved add-on piece that makes the steps wider. Based on the reviews, I think I'll make some weights out of PVC pipe rather than filling the steps with sand like the instructions tell you to do. I'll never get them pulled back out of the water if they weigh too much! Anna K. I noticed your link to instructions on how to make the weights. Thanks!

[AnnaK]

Those step weights have worked out great for us. Our challenge was to find a way to fasten them to the top step in the interior of the wedding cake construct so they could hang. In the absence of that weight in the back the steps tended to tilt forward and away from the wall. Our dogs are VERY rowdy when they jump off the top step.
Please let me know if you have any questions.

[tnalaskan]

We put pvc pipe with a t on the ends through the openings on the sides. Then put 2 50lb. bags of sand in the big ziplock bags on them. Easy to remove in the fall.