What size is to big?

[mohawk]

I've already done research on which pool to buy, now I need to decide what size. My husband said to get the 30' and I wonder if the 27 would be better. We have 2 kids still at home and several grandchildren nearby, not to mention all of the neighbor kids. I wonder though if the larger size would warm up with sun power only as well as the smaller size. Also, how much more chlorine would I be going through? There's 20,000 gallons in the 30' and 16,000 in the 27'. Any thoughts? The salesman said not to many people buy the 30' because it's "really a big pool." Does anybody else have this size and how do you like it? Thanks for any help, Denise

[tundraSQ]

I have a 30ft round pool..5ft deep. Yeah its big...but I don't think its noticably bigger or colder than a 27' would be. I don't have any problems with vacuuming either....but maybe that would be the thing to consider if you didn't think you could reach the middle easily enough. Or if you maybe didn't have flat area for it...that might be the biggest hurdle.

[Islander2C]

I had this question a few years back trying to decide to go for a 24 or 27. We went for the 27 and I am so glad we did. You are only talking about 3 feet in the difference, but it sure does make a difference! We were at a neighbours pool which was 24 and I could really see and feel the difference. I say if you have the space..go for it! Of course keep in mind, the bigger the pool, the bigger solar cover, reel, etc. you will need, the more $ they cost.
The kids will enjoy it whether you go for the 27 or the 30'. Just my thoughts! Good Luck on your decision.

[rmeden]

If you have the room, I'd go for the bigger one too.

[CarlD]

In my opinion, a 33x18 foot oval is more useful than a 30' round--you can swim laps and it has no more water than a 24' round--which saves on chemicals. They even make ovals up to 40+ feel long--and good for lapping when you aren't playing in it.

Just my opinion.

And people frequently wish their pool was bigger, but almost never wish it was smaller.

[drumr]

I agree with rmeden, if you have the room get the biggest one you can. CarlD also has a great idea with the oval. I could only go 24' with my septic tank location, so that was I big as I could go.

[matt4x4]

I also chose to go with the lake, no regrets yet, my kid loves it, birhtday parties don't need to have limits set, invite the whole class - or school, it doesn't matter.
We don't have a heater on ours (except solar) and it heats up just fine, 1.5 weeks ago we were at 80 deg. without the solar panels, up here in Ontario.
But yes, bigger pool, bigger associated costs. It's all relative.

[s0undone]

We went with the 21'x43' 54". We don't have a heater and it is sitting at 86 degrees right now. I agree that if you have the room, go as big as you can. So much fun.

[hrsdennis]

Denise, still looking at options? If not I hope this might help someone.

First pool, 15’ x 20’ bought at a flea market for fifty dollars. It was just my wife and I and this pool fit perfect in a little corner of our yard. It was perfect for the two of us to float around in and cool off. The nice things about smaller pools are less cleaning, maintenance and monthly expense.

We moved and started a family. I installed a 16’ x 24’ oval in ground with a deep end. I liked this pool the best of all. The deep end was just a couple of feet off my patio. I would walk out my backdoor, take a few steps and dive in. The only drawback to this size is it is just not long enough to swim laps. It is three strokes and bump.

That house also sold with the pool. The next pool I set up was a 24’ round. This one was on top of the ground and I built a nice wood deck for it. Although still not a lap pool we could sure pack it full of kids. By then I had three daughters and all of their friends using the pool on a regular basis. They would all come to my pool as it was bigger and a lot more fun than the in ground pools at their own homes. That was one well used pool. I did a little trading and set this up with an in ground pool filter system. The sand tank held about 400lbs of sand and it had a 1.5hp in ground pool pump. Automatic pool cleaners had just come on the market and I had my first bug. That was the cleanest pool that ever was and all I had to do was enjoy it.

We did a little moving and had a couple of 18 footers. We had space limitations and these were perfect fits. By now my kids were on swim teams and had started life guarding. They seldom wanted to see water when they got home. I was working nonstop and these low maintenance pools were just perfect. One thing I can say though, there was still plenty of room in these pools for several people floating and sunning. We could pack the pool at parties and get-togethers. I do not remember ever wishing for a bigger pool at that time.

A few years later I had a new wife and my fourth daughter. This time I set up a 15’ x 30’. This was perfect. I could finally swim laps and as soon as I had taught the new girl to swim we had plenty of races. By now I had a lot of experience with cleaners and filter systems so pool maintenance was a piece of cake.

Bottom line, there is no best size. The pool needs to fit your yard and your family. It also needs to accommodate your intended uses. It should also fit your monthly budget and your pool experience. You could start small and learn as you go or start big and take a crash course in pool maintenance. There is no right or wrong. All I can say is you are at the right place to find all of the help you would ever need to install and maintain any size pool you decide upon.

OK, I’m done. Dennis

[mohawk]

Thanks everyone for your responses. We have decided to go with the 30' pool. I do have the room in our backyard, and then some, so thanks for your concern. I have experience with taylor test kits and chlorine because we also have a spa. Thankfully I got the kit with pool chemicals in it also. I think the biggest problem so far is dealing with the city I live in. First they have to have a drawing to scale of our plot with deck and pool on it. Next I have to outline on the grass where the pool is going and they will come out and have a site inspection. Then once the pool is erected, we're not to fill it until they come back and inspect it again. Have you all gone through this to? I think it's way overboard. Denise