AG Pool Drop In Steps

[AnnaK]

My concern though is the post where it was said that algae was a problem because of poor water circulation with these steps . Has anyone else experienced this, and if so what would be the solution. Thanks for your advise, Denise

We have the Wedding Cake steps which we modified somewhat by cutting extra holes in the sides of the steps to aid water flow. There are two places where we get algae growth: inside the first step where the weights are and under that first step because it sits flat on the pool bottom and there's no circulation there at all.

We do not get any algae creeping out though. We move the steps once a month and brush the bottom. It's really no big deal to do.

We also fabricated step weights using PVC tubes filled with sand. Three fit inside the bottom step and three are suspended with electical ties from the top step. Here are some photos: http://www.ellerbach.com/Pool/

Anna

[traceyb]

Somewhere on this site, someone has photos posted and I did what they recommended. I filled 3 4 inch pvc segments with rock, then glued caps on each end. This eliminates worries of the sand getting in your pool, or bags with bricks eventually breaking down. I used 3 of them which is about 25 total pounds. I really could use on more, but I'll wait till next season. Between those and the rails screwed into the deck and the steps, no problem mon!

[traceyb]

http://www.ellerbach.com/Pool/

Here's the site of the folks who have though of something so brilliant.

Good luck "holdin em down"

[AnnaK]

Brilliant, eh? Thanks for the warm fuzzy.

Yes, that's us with the sand-filled PVC tubes. We have three inside the bottom step and three hanging from the top step using electical ties and S-hooks. We've had one of the ties break and the tube just fell to the bottom inside the step cubby hole.

I like the idea of using rocks because, just in the event a tube should break or leak, rocks are easier to clean up. What I really like is using Quick-Crete. It probably is even heavier than sand. Suspending the hanging tubes might become a problem due to the weight, I don't know. We stuck with sand because it works for us. No leaks yet.

Anna

[traceyb]

Along with anna k's brilliant move on weighting down and drilling holes (which I did)...I bought a step pad that it quite a bit larger than the w.c steps. The other day, I got my goggles on and looked through the hole on the side. UCK! The pad/mat was green. So, waa laa. I pullled it out quickly, folded it into a "U" formation, handed it out to someone on the deck. They sprayed it off and presto cleano!....And we also have had NO problems with the algae spreading out. I also put a shot of algaecide 60 in through the hole once a week...just to make meeeself feel betta!
I use a turkey baster (DONT LAUGH YA'll)
SO....cheers to the brilliant ideas here mates.

[AnnaK]

Oooooo . . . cle-VER! A turkey baster to get Polyquat right up close and personal inside the nasty parts of the steps.

So with that pad, are you saying there were no algae UNDER it? Just ON it? We recently put an old yoga mat under our steps. They take a serious beating by the dogs launching off them which has worn a dent into the sand under the corners. I've been wondering whather algeae will grow on and under the pad . . .

[NWMNMom]

I have checked ours frequently and have had no incidents of algae behind or under the steps or the pad. I do pour bleach to the right of the steps so it moves with the flow through them when cleaning or brushing about, just for good measure

[traceyb]

Oooooo . . . cle-VER! A turkey baster to get Polyquat right up close and personal inside the nasty parts of the steps.

So with that pad, are you saying there were no algae UNDER it? Just ON it? We recently put an old yoga mat under our steps. They take a serious beating by the dogs launching off them which has worn a dent into the sand under the corners. I've been wondering whather algeae will grow on and under the pad . . .

Exactly. Luck may have it. We purchased a mat too large for under the steps on purpose from water warehouse. It was only about 35 $ if I remember correctly.( it's far cheaper than a new liner down the road) Any how, instead of algae building up on the liner of the pool that you CAN NOT get to without removing the steps, it builds up on the mat itself. We pulled it out from the front and put the hose spray nozzle on "jet" and within 10 seconds it was clean as a whistle. It can be done by yourself, but the extra two hands helps out. Next year I plan to scissor trim the part of the mat that sticks out of the front left and right, but it is only because it tends to "flap" and the barracuda gets caught under that flap sometimes. So, to protect your liner AND have an easy way to clean "under" the steps this is awesome. Between your "weight" idea and my "mat idea" the step situation is A-OK! Opening the pool the first wknd in may, this is the first time since then that we have had to "pull the mat". I was instructed to use polyquat 60 one week and algae control concentrate (guardex) the next. It is because of the resistance of different types of algae, you need different types of algaecide. I only get small spots of algae here and there and staying on top of the problem gives us more time to swim and not clean. There is however algae in the bottom most step where the weights are, but it hasn't so far seemed to want to creap out. Turkey basting seems to help, it could only be in my head, but hey, squirt it where you can't pour it right?

GOOD LUCK
check out your size mat here:
http://www.waterwarehouse.com/products/sku-6586.html