Our First Pool -- Intex 9 x 12

[BlackQueen40]

This is going to be our first pool so I want to make sure I get things right from start. We ordered our pool online and it won't arrive until July 1 so I want to start getting ready now. We bought an Intex 18 x 9 x 52 rectangular pool. I filled out the pool chart as best I could going by the product specs from the web site so it's not totally complete. Any advice/directions would be greatly appreciated.

[Watermom]

You are so smart researching and getting your information before the pool arrives. I would suggest doing a lot of reading here on the forum and over on our sister website www.poolsolutions.com.

One thread in particular to read is our Super Simple Start-up Recipe as it will help you get the chemistry in line very easily. You can read about it here:> http://pool9.net/ssr/

I would also suggest that you go ahead and order a Taylor K2006 or 2006C (better buy) test kit. You won't be able to find it locally, but can order it through this link:> http://pool9.net/tk/

Hope this helps. Come back if you have more questions and we will try and answer them for you.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

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[BlackQueen40]

Thank you so much for the helpful tips. I will definitely check out the recipe and see about ordering the test kit. I will definitely be doing a lot of reading as well as I want very much to get things right the first time. :-)

[Watermom]

Good deal. We'll be here if you need us!

[PoolDoc]

Go ahead and start site prep, NOW. The pool site should be about 12' x 15' and should be LEVEL. Not nearly level, but actually level.

Maybe 5% of Intex pools have problems. Intex will eventually honor warranties, but it's MUCH easier to return the pool during the 30-day window Amazon or Walmart have. But you need to be ready to put your pool up right away, and start using it, so any defects will show up before the 30 days are gone.

. . . membership upgraded.

[BlackQueen40]

I would but that is going to be my husband's job. He's a construction worker, mainly industrial electrician and instrument tech, but he's had to do lots of other things through the years including leveling ground so he's borrowing the equipment he needs from work to get the leveling exactly right. He's a stickler for everything being as perfect as possible. He will be home July 2, so on the 3rd we will pick up the pool and get started. In the meantime, I am trying to learn as much as possible about maintenance and care as that will be mainly my job. I have done some reading on various sites and even watched a few videos on YouTube where people messed things up so I know that we will need to make sure to get the pads for the braces level on the ground. The main thing I am wondering about is what the best practice would be on putting down sand and either a ground cover or thick black plastic. I read on one site where a guy said he put down the black plastic to make sure weeds didn't sprout and grow through the liner. I've read conflicting advice on whether you should have a half inch or one inch of sand for the base. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :-)