Above Ground Radiant 27' Metric Build

Hello all. Today I will be starting my replacement build on my new pool. Old pool was rusting on the top panels and slightly on the walls which was installed also by myself 8 years ago and was semi-inground. I will be installing new pool also semi-inground since this part is already leveled, checked with a transit, and everything pretty much completed and ready to go. I will post pictures in the process and post as i go through it day by day, which i am hoping to have complete by this Sunday, fingers crossed.

Here is what i decided to go with and do with this build:
27' Round Radiant Metric Pool with 52" walls. This pool has a lifetime warranty, not pro-rated, aluminum and foam walls that are 2" thick, and can be installed above, semi or completely inground, can have a SWG hooked up and none of this will void warranty.
Here is website about them:http://radiantpools.com/
After researching I decided to go with this as my choice to fit my needs and pretty much had not seen anything negative about the pool.

While the walls will be going up in place, i will be raising the pool walls up 2" from where the old pool was, then placing some metal landscape edging around the inside to be able to pour concrete on the outside to use as a collar that the pool will rest on to help keep level and add some strength i figured. Under the walls it will be 2" thick and on the outside of walls it will be 6" x 6" thick. Roughly 1 yard on concrete will be used for this.

I will be using 1/2" foam padding 4'x8' sheets for the flooring and also Gorilla padding will be placed on top of that with foam pool coves to go around the edge.

Installing a Burndy water bonder and also bonding rest of pool with 8 AWG bare copper wire. Not sure yet about adding a Zinc Anode to it since from what i have read aluminum is softer than zinc so will not help much to reduce possible future corrosion if it may happen. Currently have a Circupool RJ-45 SWG installed which is 2 years old and sand filter system.

After pool is filled with water, i will be using gravel about 3/4" to 1 1/2" for back filling since i have a heavy clay soil here.

Pretty much it for now of my plan. Let me know if i should not do something in the above that you would not recommend and why. Thanks and be on the lookout for pictures of build in progress. ;)

This is how far i got today.
Installed Skimmer and return
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/64.../843/i92ss.jpg
Pool Wall
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/27...0/839/jfsr.jpg
Cleaned out previous hole that was dug for old pool
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/64...0/837/xdin.jpg
Pool Walls going up
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/64...0/843/8auo.jpg
Pool Walls installed
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/64...0/841/g4cn.jpg
And also bonded the pool.

Tomorrow i will pour the concrete collar around pool, then put 1/2" foam padding and hopefully liner install by Sunday.

That looks like a real Rolls-Royce of an AG circular pool!

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/27...0/841/ahxg.jpg

Poured a 6"x6" collar around pool today. took me 45 bags of 80 lb. concrete. What a workout today.

Yesterday after work i was able to install top coping, pool coves, and liner. Then i hooked up to a fire hydrant and started to fill through out the night and finished around 2:00pm today. Added salt and will run overnight to see what i will need to correct.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/64.../843/ssdq0.jpg

Man i am whooped today. Back filled gravel around pool and mostly was done with a bucket to fill the area. Guy coming tomorrow to give me a price on making some outside steps with flagstone.

Started on the small flagstone walkway around the pool yesterday. Trying something called Gator Dust to sweep into the cracks and it almost turns to concrete after you wet it then let it dry. Also comes in 2 colors which we chose the beige.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/27...0/844/qgni.jpg

Pretty! Thanks for sharing.

I like that!

Thanks all. Lots of work but looks like it will be worth it. Did a little more flagstone work today and will just relax tomorrow and enjoy the pool and day.

Here is another from the other side.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/27...0/837/o9iw.jpg

That is gonna be really nice. Lots of work, but looks great!

Thanks Watermom. The wifes flowerbeds are getting reduced which is a good thing. Would have to buy 300 bags of mulch each year. :)

Pool Steps are going up. I poured concrete for them
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/64...0/819/npql.jpg

Brick guy came today to start and should be finished tomorrow.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/64...0/820/xuxj.jpg

Pool steps were completed a few days ago and installed steps going into pool but did not take a picture yet of that.

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/58...0/822/wkh6.jpg

Steps going inside pool.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/58...0/820/vwb4.jpg

Very nice. I've never seen anybody do steps quite like that. You have certainly done a nice job with your entire project. I'm sure you're ready to be done with it, though, and just relax in that pool! :)

Thanks Watermom and you are correct in me being ready to be done with it. Really glad on the way it is turning out so far. Just have to finish the flagstone walkway around it and some other minor things and i will actually be completed.