New AG "kit" question?

[zebfam]

Curious to know if it is really necessary to buy the "kit" that alot of pool stores offer when buying a new AG pool?

What is really necessary and what is not

What about chemicals? I keep reading about BBB method but does that replace all other chemicals?

TIA for any advice

[GraceByDesign]

Depends on what is in the kit. If it is Baqua or SoftSwim or the like, RUN!!

You will need CYA (stabilizer) that is a pool chem. Some of the other stuff you probably COULD use, but BBB is cheaper, and all you need!!

ETA: Welcome to the forum!!

[zebfam]

Most of the kits we have seen include a combo of the following

Pool chemicals
Filter
Pole Skimmer
Wall Skimmer
Ladder
Chlorine Dispenser
Weighted Vacuum head or "bug" type vacuum
Test Strips
Pool Thermometer
Solar Cover
Winter Cover (with and without winter chemicals)

[GraceByDesign]

Most of the kits we have seen include a combo of the following

Pool chemicals Maybe... Depends on what the chems are, see my above post.
Filter Need one... what about a pump? be sure the pump is not too large for the filter
Pole Skimmer Need one... even if it is just to fish out the ball that fell in
Wall Skimmer Need one...
Ladder Need one... Gotta get in and out somehow!
Chlorine Dispenser Don't need...not necessary if you are going BBB or SWG
Weighted Vacuum head or "bug" type vacuum Need one... Gotta get the debris out some way
Test Strips Don't need... We call them "guess strips"... useless. Get a drops based kit: ben's, taylor, or even an HTH 5- or 6 way from wally world
Pool Thermometer Don't need... unless you just want to know the temp
Solar Cover useful, but adds work... Helpful in maintaining heat and chemical balance
Winter Cover (with and without winter chemicals)Maybe... depends on your part of the country and if you will shut down completely in winter

You could probably buy the things you need seperatly, but that would be a lot of shopping. Some here love to find the bargain, some know the exact product they want, and so the kit is not worth it to them. Personally, I plan to get the kit, and maybe make modifications to it, like a different pump, no chems, no strips, etc. I will be dealing with brick-and-mortar store, though, and not an online pool distrubutor, so perhaps you are unable to make any changes.

HTH!