leveling and heating intex pool

[savannah]

First time using one of those larger intex type pools. Have had the small one in the past for little ones when leveling wasn't much of an issue. Ground extremely unlevel but what is the best way to level the ground? Should I just add dirt over the existing area to level it off or dig an area for the pool? Also, can a solar panel be used to heat these pools? It's 18' x 48" .

[CarlD]

If you add dirt, be sure to build a wall of stones around the area, then put sand on top. Level is VERY important--critical even. You should try to be no more than 1/2" off anywere on your pad.

A 4'x10' panel or a 2'x20' should heat that pool VERY nicely! Use a solar cover too.

[savannah]

Thanks CarlD. Now my next ?, is there a particular brand of solar panel recommended. I don't have a roof close by to put in on so it will most likely go next to a chain link fence. R these things heavy, can it be placed on top of a gazebo roof, just the fabric kind? I've seen some panels that unroll? but I don't if I understood that right or if it's just a regular panel.

[Poconos]

I believe Carl is referring to solar mat panels. They are nothing more than a bunch of capillary tubes connected to manifolds at each end. They are shipped rolled up. They aren't very heavy and with adequate support can be mounted to a chain link fence. They do need a support structure of some kind and some way to hold them down in case of a high wind. They should also be angled roughly at about 45 degrees on a South facing exposure for best heat absorbtion. I have a 4x20' panel mounted on a wooden frame and held down by rope looped around the frame. Unfortunately I couldn't find a decent pic of the thing but I'll look more and if I can't find one I'll take one and update this post.
Al

[JoshU]

What type of pump do you have? A solar heater may require a stronger pump then what Intex usually produces. Basically your pool water will now have to travel a longer distance and the pump of course will have to be able to move it through the panels.

Josh

[savannah]

I only have the pump that came with the pool. It was one of those all in one box kits. Is that not good enough? I wouldn't know what kind of pump to get if I had to get a better one. Something tells me I better scrap the whole solar heating idea. I don't want to end up spending lots of money on a pump and solar panel when I have no idea how long the pool would even last. I've not heard too much postive talk on these kinds of pools but it was cheap enough that I thought I would give it a go.

Thanks for ur responses everyone.