Pool is ordered!

[swimlane]

Well, I talked to the installer that was recommended ... not much choice as I only found one other installer and both are from a distance of 50 miles from here! I guess that around here if you don't have an inground then you stick with an Intex or don't swim. I've had an inground pool before and it wasn't cheap and I got slaughtered when I sold; if I knew we would stay here for a long time then I would consider it.

Anyway, I asked him about the questions about the 2 speed pump, the salt system and the liner. He felt the 2 speed pump was a good idea, the liner was my choice that he didn't have a problem with either (Jhook or overlap), but was not familiar with the Hayward AquaTrol SWCG. I didn't think that was a problem as I can handle the electrical and plumbing stuff (got friends in low places ) but didn't want to tackle leveling a spot in red clay and making sure walls were level, etc. He said that we would be available in 1.5 to 2 weeks so I need to call him back when I get a good delivery date.

So with that settled we went ahead with the order from NationalPoolWholesalers, the site our friends recommended. We purchased an 18' SwimNPlay Yukon, GLI Classic Unibead liner, Waterway 1HP 2spd pump/sand filter combo, inground pool accessories, nice ladder, wide mouth skimmer, and the Hayward AquaTrol-RJ ... total put us at a hair over $2400 which just qualified for the $160 discount for a grand total of $2247. When I include the price of the install ($850), the Taylor K-2006 test kit, some sort of water fountain/light (momma wants), the poolforum subscription, and the BBB chemicals/salt/etc will bring the total to slightly over the $3k I had targeted to spend. I usually go way over budget ... a recent decision to not customize my 10yr old Harley and shop for a $6k upgrade to a little bit newer one led to a brand new one but my wife and I love it! I'm starting a new thread to ask about my homework before the pool gets here such as reading the BBB info, what to buy, how to "open" a new pool, etc. Thanks for listening, comments welcome and thanks for a great site ... I rarely would consider subscribing to anything like this but this will be well worth it!

Mark

[Watermom]

Thanks for listening, comments welcome and thanks for a great site ... I rarely would consider subscribing to anything like this but this will be well worth it!Mark

It will DEFINITELY be worth the cost of your subscription! Good luck with your pool project!

[aylad]

I usually go way over budget ... a recent decision to not customize my 10yr old Harley and shop for a $6k upgrade to a little bit newer one led to a brand new one but my wife and I love it! Mark

Funny, that's how it worked out in our house, too!

Janet

[swimlane]

Our new pool is in the garage waiting for Friday's install. The installer said they would be here early (good thing, gonna be HOT) so hopefully I will be able to get the pool filled with water before dark. I've bought the K2006 + the salt test kit, filter sand and salt; I've yet to buy bleach and muriatic acid ... not sure where to buy MA yet. The SWCG book says to balance the water and then add salt before turning the unit on. I will have to figure that all out once I get the first water test. One question: never used a drop test kit, is this something that I'm likely to dork up a couple of times (at first)? Just wondering how reliable n00b results are.

[Watermom]

You'll do fine testing. The directions are pretty clear. The only test that is a little hard to read is the CYA test, but since this is a fresh fill, you already know you don't have any CYA so don't need to run that test. You can usually buy muriatic acid at a home improvement store. Ben suggests you put it in a garbage bag for the ride home. The fumes are pretty potent!