Inflatable vs. Metal Frame

[ssweaser]

I've owned both types, too. I prefer the metal frame pool over the blow up one for several reasons.

1. You have a little more swim area in the frame pool since the sides install straight up instead of at an angle.

2. It's easier to clean also due to the straight sides.

3. The skimmer stays in place, unlike the one on the blow up pool.

I had my blow up pool up for 2 going on 3 seasons here in TX. The cover would not stay on at all. The ring kept losing air and the skimmer kept popping out of the water.

This is my first winter with the metal frame pool. We'll see how it goes with the cover. I don't plan to take the pool down over the winter.

[Styx555]

anyone have pictures to post of how they levelled the ground, specifically those that built up as opposed to digging down?

thanks

[jonv112]

Hello from Toronto!

I always wanted a pool. I started out with a rectangular pool for about 3 years, and I now have an Intex 16'x42" Easy-Set. This is my first summer using it, as it was purchased end of summer last year. My backyard is very long and about 22' wide. There is a 4cm slope in my yard. I never leveled it, but I think my pool is misformed as the water level is the same throughout the circumference. It is OK for my needs-for now at least. I'm starting to look at a 12x24 AGP, instead of continuing to upgrade to larger Intex pools.

Here is a very big downside to owning an Intex pool:

In Toronto at least, the swimming season is only about 1.5-2 months maximum, and you have to take down the pool and store it near the end of August. A month after I set up my pool, near the end of July, my water was SO cloudy that I figured it wasn't worth the effort to treat it, so I just emptied the entire pool. When it was drained, I wanted to wash the ground cloth and the liner, which kinda started to smell. I took off the liner, and almost threw up at the smell. Then, I took off the ground cloth! I will never forget the stench (good thing the neighbours never complained)! It smelled like our very own pig farm, but 10x worse. It was better after it dried out, and everything was washed. Thankfully my pool is now set up and the smell is nowhere to be....smelled.

My advice,

When taking down an Intex pool, wear a gas mask. Or, just skip all of the hassle and get an AGP.

[RavenNS]

I agree with the Torontonian...

remove all the grass prior to setting up... ( the rotting grass smell travels far & the stink lasts quite a while... not to mention attracting every fly for kilometers ! )

BTW, you can put a solar panel to these pools & get amazing results to extend your swimming season.

I had a dolphino easy-set 18' x 48" for two years...

regarding leveling : when leveling for a pool, start at the lowest point on your yard & go from there
sand cannot be used to level these for safety reasons.

I think if I hadn't moved into a new house with an IG pool, I would have bought a Vogue Zodiak pool ( has metal framing)...
it has rectangular shapes instead of round, which is better for swimming & it is deeper.
It still counts as "portable" so you can get around some of the swimming pool by-laws, but you have the option to leave it up for the winter; which means a whole lot less work ( & less water consumption too)

[CarlD]

I laid down a rubble base, then filled it up with about 6-8" of Mason's sand. I never had a problem like that with the smell. I would cover the base with a blue tarp for the winter and it was fine.

[philamom]

Metal Frame Pool Questions...

Just curious, for any one who owned/owns a metal frame pool, where did you buy it from? We were considering one but could not find anyone (except online) that seem to carry them

[RavenNS]

Philamom,
I saw the vogue zodiac ( or maybe it's zodiac vogue...?)
anyway, I saw one set up at a hot tub store.

if you find a brand that you like, why not call the manufactor & ask where the nearest dealer is..

or here is a website for them ( zodiac) & you can do the " find a dealer" button...

http://83.231.135.207/pool/index.asp

whoops, I guess that was in french...
try this:
To obtain the list of dealer in North America, please consult the following websites:
www.voguepools.com
www.kd.com
www.maxiwood.com