My thoughts on building my AG pool...

[matt4x4]

Sounds like you're well on your way!
As for the compactor, you do NOT need it for compacting your sand base, really, a compactor is just needed if you are filling instead of removing dirt, and tehn, you really just have to compact so that where the wall sits will not sink.
The remaining sand is to be spread out and raked smooth, you can tamp it down but don't need to since the weight of the water will do that for you.

[kalan]

Hi, it seems that you are farther along for this tip to help you but I found the way my installers dug my pool quite ingenious. We are in an all clay area in Mich. and the installers dug the hole for the pool with a power sod cutter! they kept going around and around cutting 2" deeper each time till they hit the proper level. In my yard the end (15x30 oval) closest to the house is buried almost 18" and at the other end is a deep section. All done with a sod cutter. I never would have believed it had I not seen it. In all they hauled out 14 yds of dirt and installed the pool in 2 days. That was 14 yrs ago. Still on the same liner.
Ken

[posguy]

Do not use a compactor, it gouges the sand. I am installing a replacement liner and have found once your sand is level, dragging a push broom behind you in circular motion starting from the center and working your way out the the wall cleans up the footprints well. Someone had suggested to me to water the sand, and sure enough, if you water it well enough it creates a very smooth surface.

Anthony

[robot9000]

Okay, I have all the patio blocks in and level. As an added bonus, I found another set of stump roots at the other end of the pool I had to dig out and back fill, hand tamp the snot out of and water to settle. Now we are putting in the sand and hope to put the wall up tonight or tomorrow and liner Thursday.

Again, much more labor than I thought, but its moving along...