Intex Ultra Frame 16' x 48" build

[Watermom]

Probably not a full cup. Maybe 1/3 cup since it is not filled yet.

[jab240]

Thanks Watermom

[jab240]

Ok pool is finally up and filled. What a long process that I've learned a lot from actually going through it and from being on this forum. I guess it's on to the next level of fun in trying to maintain it. As much as I researched and prepared for it, I still ended up making a few mistakes. One mistake was in trying to be proactive and trying to stay ahead of any future rust, I decided to spray a few joints with silicone spray. In 90+F temps this proved to be a bad idea. Some of it dripped on my newly installed foam base and melted it almost instantaneously. I quickly aborted the silicone spray idea. My other mistake was dealing with the white band and the frame legs. That part I didn't do any research on as it didn't seem like it needed to be. Well, maybe I should have because the first 5 minutes I spent looking into it this morning tells me I made a mistake. So when I spread out the liner and and starting to put the legs together I noticed the white support band was twisted in some spots. Not a big deal I thought as it's easy to twist around. Which way though? Apparently newer Intex pools have a redesigned support band with separate loops the legs fit into, which is what I have. To me it made more sense to flip the band around so that the loops were inside the main band and thus the legs would be mainly support by the main band. It turns out (from my research this morning) that the correct way in this redesign is to have the loops on the outside of the band. I'm not sure if the white band is smaller compared to previous versions but the pool seems fine and I think I will leave it. I did notice this morning that a couple of legs have settled outward about a 1/4" and I'm pretty sure it's because my bottom rope is not tight enough. I couldn't get it tight enough with my knot tying skills in the dark while getting eaten alive by mosquitoes so I left it to try again today. I think I'm just going to pick up some ratchet straps instead and as it will be stronger and I won't have to mess around with tying the rope. Sorry for the long post but at least everyone's updated now. Pictures to come in a few minutes.

[jab240]

Here's what the build looked like over the weekend. I worked all weekend and my body is feeling it today .
Started around 10am Saturday and had the foam all cut and taped up around 3pm. I know.... seems kind of long but it was 90F out and I had the kids helping (slowing me down). It was so hot outside that the gorilla tape actually burnt me in some spots.


After that, I setup the top rail and positioned it on the foam so I can cut out the spot for the pavers. I didn't actually use pavers but 1" deck boards cut in pieces instead. I also laid out the ground cloth and cut it. Sorry PoolDoc, I said I would get the thicker black tarp but I thought why not just use the one it came with for now and replace with the better one next season. Actually, I was going to skip the tarp altogether but after burning myself on the gorilla tape I was worried it might do something to the liner.


This got me to about 6pm and it was time to start setting up the pool. Got everything assembled and started filling about 8pm. Got an inch of water in and started smoothing out the liner bottom and checking - double checking the legs. Turns out my pavers would need to be readjusted and packed it in about 10pm as the mosquitoes were assembling their troops for a full out assault. Added a 1/2 cup of bleach.
Yesterday morning I cut the foam to readjust the pavers as some were off. Started filling again and worked on smoothing out the bottom some more. While it was filling I kept checking the legs and made sure they were level. Pool pretty much full around 9pm when I turned on the filter for the first time. I added 1/3 cup of Dichlor earlier when it was a 1/3 full and added the other 2/3 about the same time I turned the filter on.
Here's what it looked like at that time:

I ended up being only about 1/2" off level in a couple of spots so yay! You can see where I have the legs inside the loops and inside the main support band. Apparently that's not correct but it looks like it's ok. Today I will add the ratchet straps for the bottom of the legs.

[jab240]

Added the ratchet straps last night. They are 1.5" wide and it took 4 -16ft straps (although not full 16ft used on each strap) to go around the pool. What a difference they make. Intex should just include one long strap with their branding on it with all their pools.

[PoolDoc]

Why did you install the straps?

[jab240]

I explained it in one of the above posts....I noticed some of the legs had started to shift about a 1/4" out. Nothing too drastic and I'm sure if I was able to tie the rope tight enough it would have been fine. But my rope tying skills are horrible and the piece of mind that the straps have given me is worth the $22 I paid for them. Might be a little overkill but right now it's feeling like one of the best things I've bought for the pool so far.

[jab240]

**Not sure if I should start a new thread or post this info here**

My first Taylor test kit results: ( I used the HTH 3-way test kit yesterday)
FC = 3.5
PH = 7.4
TA= 70
CH = 70

Kids are in it right now and I'll add 1/2 dose of Dichlor when they're done since FC level seems in check. Or should I add a full dose? I can skip the borax I think. So far since the pool was filled on Sunday I've added 1 and a half cups of Dichlor and 1 cup of Borax.

[Watermom]

I think you are ok on pH right now so you're right, you can skip the Borax dose tonight. Everything looks good!

[jab240]

I hope I'm doing things right. I've been able to skip dosing a couple of times now but it doesn't seem right. Yesterday's levels were pH=7.4 and fc=7.5.
Did a quick check today with the HTH kit and fc is still above 3.5 and pH still looks OK. We did get a good amount of rain today so if levels look ok later I may add a half dose anyways since i skipped dosing yesterday. A week in and I've skipped twice already. Does this seem right to you guys?