Our First Pool -- Intex 9 x 12

[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. :-)

[PoolDoc]

+ Sand tends to move. Only use it if you can be 100% sure that water won't run under you pool. Usually that means you have an almost flat yard that never has runoff move across it during heavy rains. Limestone sand is OK.

+ Heavy plastic (or the black/silver tarps) is OK, but trim it so that it does NOT channel water under the pool.

+ If you can don't buy the pool till the grading is done.

[BlackQueen40]

Thank you for the advice. My husband measured everything first before we ordered the pool. I think he pretty much knows how he's going to do it but I always like to be as well informed as I can be and then ask him if he thought of these things. I usually get a yes but occasionally I get a no. Also, I decided to go ahead and get the salt water filter system and will run it and the sand filter so should I still follow the Super Simple Recipe?

[PoolDoc]

Actually, if you're going with the salt system, you'll need to

1. Order a K2006 & the AquaCheck salt strips; be sure to watch the videos BEFORE you test: http://pool9.net/tk/

The reason for this is that the SSR pretty much ignores everything except pH and chlorine, and lets the CYA float upward. You can't do that with an SWCG in play, since if your TA (alkalinity) and/or CH (calcium) are too high you can end up fouling the plates in the SWCG.

2. Run the plain SSR for 2 weeks OR until the CYA level has reached 30 ppm (the target level for the Intex SWCG units).

3. Before you turn your SWCG on, report your pH, TA, and CH levels, so we can make sure you don't have a problem.

4. Using the AquaCheck strips to bring the salt level to 3,000 ppm (Intex target level). REMEMBER that the AquaCheck strips can NOT be read directly; you must use the conversion table on the bottle.

[BlackQueen40]

Thank you! I will order the K2006 test kit and check to see if any of the stores around here carry the AquaCheck salt strips. Right now it seems that everyone is getting their pools ready for the 4th and even the basic test kits are sold out. My daughter and I have been checking all week to find those. I was notified by Walmart today that our pool has arrive at their store so I am going there tomorrow and see if I can see it and make sure of what all comes with it as I've seen some people who have bought an Intex pool say they include a basic test kit with it. Not sure what kind or how accurate but it may be what I have to go with if none of the stores restock before we are ready to get the pool up. My husband and I discussed it tonight when he called home and he has decided we won't even attempt to put the pool up until Saturday after the 4th. We will mainly get the ground leveled and ready for the pool in the meantime. Disappointing to the grandkids as I meant for it to be a surprise for them on the 4th but timing is just too close on us getting everything done in time. The saltwater system arrived today so I will open it up and see what I need to have for it. BTW, I made a huge miscalculation on how many gallons our pool holds. I relied on what someone said in the reviews on the pool and then found the pool volume calculator which says our pool will hold 4,848 gallons of water. I am a bit worried about the calcium level due to us having hard water. Every 3 or 4 months I have to take apart the screens, etc. on the end of our faucets, and use CLR or Lime Away on them to get rid of the buildup. And, if it would help with advising me on any problems, I just this week received our yearly water quality report from the water company so I can post those readings if need be. Also, I noticed you are saying Intex 9 x 12 but our Intex pool is 18 x 9. :-)

[PoolDoc]

Calcium isn't an issue with the SSR; it IS an issue with an SWCG (salt system).

I would STRONGLY recommend starting up with the SSR, and then switching to salt once you figure everything out. Go ahead and add salt and install the unit, and run it long enough to make sure it's working properly.

If you don't get a sand filter, DO order the Unicel cartridges (SSR page). What will probably be the easiest way to manage the calcium will require good filtration.

Of course, it's possible that your calcium WON'T be an issue. Watch the Taylor test videos (http://pool9.net/tk-guide/) and then post your results once you have them.

[BlackQueen40]

Okay, I'm getting a bit confused. And, I'm sorry about the confusion on the size of our pool as well. Anyway, we do have a sand filter system that comes with our pool and I ordered the saltwater system to go with it. It arrived day before yesterday and our pool has arrived, as well, but I can't pick it up until my husband gets home with his truck to pick it up. We are considering contacting our local fire department to fill the pool as some friends of our daughter's said that for a donation they will come fill it up so you can get that part done faster. I'm not sure how they do that, though, so I don't know whether that would be the right thing to do or not. As soon as I get a chance I will watch the videos. Oh! I did finally find the OTO/Red Phenol test kit and am ready to test when we finally get to that part. Thank you for your time and patience with me. :-)

[Watermom]

Also, I noticed you are saying Intex 9 x 12 but our Intex pool is 18 x 9. :-)

He is saying that because that is what you put on the title when you started the thread.