Looking to buy our first pool.. Wondering about pricing and options..

[PoolDoc]

resin = plastic; can be good; can be bad.

[BigDave]

I kinda wish my pool had resin rails. I worry that the steel rails in contact with the ground are rusting into oblivion as I worry. I know this is ridiculous, but... I worry. I'm less inclined to wish for resin ledge as that sits in the sun all day and the sun will do a number on plastic. Resin ledges do look great.

Not really helpful - sorry - just my thoughts.

[tbird2340]

Ok bought the pool! So glad this is done with! I bought it without the pump and filter and plan on getting the ones that were suggested on here.. One thing though.. I will have to get all the hoses and fittings.. Not a big deal.. Just need to figure out what I need.. Are the ones linked all of them?

Also, I get no plastic "pad" since I'm buying separate.. I liked those because they had outlines of where the filter, pump, and feeder system would go (even though I'm not going to be really using the feeder system - I did get it in the package and may use it when on vacation and what not)..

What do you guys do if you don't get that plastic pad? Do they sell those? They seemed to be pretty specific to pump/filter combo.

Thanks!

[hrsdennis]

Hose kits only come packaged with the filter, they are not included in any other part of a pool package. Most filters can be bought with, or without, a hose kit. I would go without. I would go to the hardware store and buy 7 1 1/2" male adapters and about 15' of 1 1/2" flexible PVC pipe, some pipe dope, teflon tape and PVC glue. As Ben suggested add a couple of valves for cleaning and even a few quick disconnects for bringing the filter in during the winter, if that's what you plan to do. Doing this right the first time will save you so much in the way of expense and time saved in the long run.

As for the pad, I have no idea about the filter placement thing, never heard of that, but as for pads, I do not like them and seldom used them. I would go without.

Later, Dennis

[BigDave]

I used a pad made for a central air conditioning unit.

[hrsdennis]

Thanks for the wake up Dave, I was thinking pool pad not filter pad. The A/C pad is an excellent option. Patio pavers can work well also. But yes, you want something solid under a sand filter. Having filter location marked is useless, proper filter placement should be pretty obvious.

Dennis

[PoolDoc]

Dennis, what do you find works best for quick disconnects on AG pools -- standard unions or something else?

I've used, at various times, 1.5" or 2" Fernco couplings for disconnects. Have you seen that? Do you know of any downside from using them?

What about slice valves vs. ball valves? The slice valves are more compact and are easier to use, but you can't thottle with them. Plus the Valterra's have zinc plated bolt/nut sets and I'm not sure how they stand up.