Getting a new fiberglass pool

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

Thanks Donnie. How do I find out if I have metal in my water?

Tisha

[DONNIE]

You can buy test kits or do as I and take a clean sample of your tap water to a reputable pool supply store.

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

If I do have high metal levels, should I consider using different water to fill the pool? Also, may I ask why you chose fiberglass? We liked the price, ease of maintenance (I hope) and ease of installation (I hope). We purchased a Dolphin pool from a dealer in New Jersey. We live outside of Philadelphia.

Tisha

[DONNIE]

We have a rather small area to put in our pool. I did quiet a bit of research before making the decision. Chose fiberglass mainly for the maintainence issues but also for the size, quality and cost. We are getting a Viking 12x24 kidney. It's going to be soooooooooooooooo great!!

Donnie

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

Good luck with it. I'll let you know how our install goes.

Tisha

[mbar]

This is my 7th year for my fiberglass pool and I love it. I have learned to manage the stains - fiberglass pools do tend to stain easily. The trick is to keep the ph on the low side, and alkalinity on the low side. Add the chlorine slowly - cal hypo seems to bring out stains more easily - I stick to bleach, and pucks very sparingly. My pool still looks like new. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

[gerri]

I have a fiberglass pool. I did have problems with the pool company/installation but only because my pool was installed in heavy rain by an idiot with a backhoe. They ruined my yard on all 4 sides... I had expected 2, but honestly all 4 sides of my house were deeply rutted mudholes all over. I have no idea why they did this, but I made them come back after it dried out and fix it as best as an idiot can.

I've had my pool I think 4 years and this is the first year with bad staining. Previous years have been beautiful low maintenance years, which was great when I was pregnant and last year when my child was only 1. I'm a single mom so low maintenance is fantastic.

I have read so much here I think I have a handle on my staining. Listen to mbar, she knows EXACTLY what she's talking about. Keep a sequesterant in your water if you have any metals (and I say even if you THINK you don't) - I use Metal, Scale and Stain out by AquaChem from WalMart. It does the job. You add 1 quart per 10,000 gallons. If you have metals this sequestering agent keeps them in solution so the metals don't stick to the walls of your pool and cause the yellow/brown staining.

All in all I like my fiberglass pool. It is pretty and I don't have to worry about a liner replacement ever. My pool shell has a lifetime warranty (granted that means lifetime of the company) and I liked that idea too. I'm happy with my decision to go with the inground fiberglass pool. I just wish I had bought it from a different company than I did.