Base for an Intex Easy Setup Pool

Brand new to pools here and I have a few questions. I am looking at the Intex Easy Setup 18' pool with Krystal Klear Slatwater system and sand filter. I have talked to a few people who have or have had them and two of the major concerns I came away with are, the ground must be 100% level to get the pool to work/look right and be sure to treat the ground so as grass won't grow through the bottom of the pool.

I was thinking of a way to solve these two problems with one solution. What I've come up with is to basically build a sand box using treated 2x6 lumber and fill the box completly full of sand/dirt fill packing it down. I'll have to burry some sides of the 2x6 to get a nice level top, so I won't be filling an entire 2x6 deep box when it's all leveled. After I've filled it, I was thinking of decking it with treated 1/2 or 3/4 plywood. In my mind, this would create a nice level surface and with a wood bottom, there should be no grass growing through the bottom. I'll be caulking the plywood joints to keep anything from trying to come through there or water from getting under there and washing the fill out.

I think the extra bit of decking will be nice to have for pool chairs, pump base, and such.

Is this over the top or just wrong altogether? Thanks, and remeber, never had a pool so any help is appreciated.

Hi and welcome to the Pool Forum! Sounds to me like this might work but I'd rather let someone who is familiar with installing an Intex pool give you advice. Someone will be along who can offer their opinion. I just wanted to say hi and let you know that your post had been read! Hope you enjoy being a part of the forum!

Why build the deck? Build the box level fill it, compact it, backfill around the outside, and grow grass on the backfill. Deck the corners if you want but I'd put a layer of sand on the fill then a tarp then the pool.

BigDave, that's what I ended up doing. I havn't backfilled like I want to just yet, but that's coming. I plan on building a small flower bed with the backfill, but anyhow. I also did deck the corners and used some dark gray outdoor carpet. I'm not 100% complete on the carpet installation, but when I get there, I'll try and remeber to post a picture.

Send a pic to poolforum@gmail.com and reference the URL of this thread.