Buying an above ground pool!

[CarlD]

Carl, Thanks for the pictures and the information. Your pool and deck look great. I hope you don't mind if I ask a few more question.

I don't mind. Wow! Chock full of GREAT questions!

As for the solar deck, since it is just about surrounded by fence, doesn't that kind of encroach on the sun the deck receives? I know there are legal and safety considerations regarding fencing. We do not have a deck at all, and I wonder how we could design one that wouldn't throw too much shade on the panels.

Actually, it doesn't encroach as much as you would think, but it's perceptive to pick up on it--I wish I had thought of it and I might have changed the design a little.

However, since my pool is basically an east/west alignment, the north run gets full sun most of the day--that's a 44' length. Most of the day the west end gets good light, too, but it's passing by mid afternoon. Around noon, the east end comes into its own, and later in the day the south run also steps up.

However, were I to do it again, I would extend the decking east and west to move the fence away and give me more space inside the fence--it wouldn't be solar panel, just decking. I intend, this year, next year or the year after ( ) to extend the east end.

But despite that, here in North Central NJ, the water hit 96 degrees last summer and we usually are swimming by May 1 or the following weekend, and swim clear through Sept. If Sept is sunny we can go the whole month but it usually starts raining again. Still, I close around Oct 1. I do use a solar cover as well--I have a 16mil transparent that insulates really well.

As I said, I have divided the system in half: North West and South East so I can control them both, and when they are all full on, I get nearly double the flow. Also I have a couple of panels leaking and I'm waiting for IP to send me new ones. So rather than struggle to drain them, I'm only running the NW section which has no leaks. We've had cold nights into the low 40's and a lot of rain the last few days so the water is only 69-70--too cold!

Do you think the money you paid for a solar pool is comparable or better (less) than installing some solar panels separately?

Frankly, no. Rollable solar panels lying on the ground would be MUCH cheaper. The decking is the same surface area as 3 4'x20' panels. I have 30 2'x4' deck panels--even at the reduced rate of $50 per panel I have over $1500 in deck panels, plus hoses and clamps. It's comparable to a permanent roof-mount system, but not the rollables.

But the benefits are: invisibility--no ugly panels to find space for or to mount. A COOL deck--all that water flowing keeps 'em cool--and my split system is cooler than stock. Easy to fix: I can replace most any panel but the ones where the stairs mount in 15-30 minutes, max.

But the main thing is my wife wouldn't tolerate most AG pools, nor solar panels all over. This pool works like an in-ground but gets taxed like an above ground.

Is the deck the only form of heat you use? It would be so great not to depend on anything else, but I'm probably a couple hundred miles north of you (in the Albany NY area.) I like warm water, hate polluting emissions and paying for fossil fuels.

Yes, the panels and the solar cover are it. I did have the electrician run 240v 40amp cable from the circuit box to the wall nearest the pool, so if I want to put in a heat pump I can. I won't do gas.

In your area, summers are shorter (went to college at Binghamton, my brother went to Union, so I'm somewhat familiar with it.) Your heating problem will be in early June and after Labor day, not July and August.

Does Island pools have a local presence for you, or did you deal with them via the internet and phone? Will they recommend an installer in my area, do you think?

I dealt with them by I'net and phone. Since they ARE expensive pools, plus my site prep was expensive (not to mention all the cedar I bought for the railing and gate), we figured it would be worth it to fly up there to see the pools first-hand. So one spring Sunday I flew to Buffalo, rented a car, and drove up to Grand Island. They gave me the grand tour and I ended up buying a pool--but not until AFTER I had my building plans approved by the town.

Finding a local installer may be a problem, but their contract installer is a lot closer to you than he is to me--he's between Syracuse and Buffalo. I suggest you talk to IP about pools they have sold in your area...they are better informed on that than I am.

It's really funny that I bought a pool designed and built in Grand Island, New York, located between Buffalo and Niagra Falls! That reminds me: Their climate is VERY similar to yours--I think that's why the solar pool was so popular up there.

But I think you are also asking if I would buy this pool again. Yes, I would--and knowing now what I know I would handle the plumbing differently, too.

Hope this helps.

[huskerfan]

I actually had bought a Sharkline AG pool, but sold it and purchased the one I have now, mainly because the lifetime warranty was "prorated/limited". So basically it didn't have a real lifetime warranty. I went with an Echo Canyon made by Artesian from the Pool Place in Chatanooga TN. The quality is awesome and it's a gorgeous pool/liner, and has an actual lifetime warranty on everything except the liner! Truthfully, I think the most important part, like CarlD said - above brands... is getting your ground level no matter what type of pool you have. His post is awesome too- about how you plan to use your pool.

Unfortunately our local pool stores didn't carry anything I liked, and were priced twice as high, so I purchased off the internet. What isn't bought off the internet nowdays?? Also - they didn't like my choice of filter, chemicals... and were quite rude with comments about them, so they truthfully didn't deserve my business anyway. I'm all for shopping locally, but there are exceptions to every rule. It's a big investment - research and get what you want, you're buying it for longterm!

[rustin]

We are also buying a pool soon and have a few questions.

I am really concerned about the filter and pump combination after stumbling across this site, thank goodness! Please let me know what you think about this combo and the pool itself as far as quality goes.

We are looking at the Desert Spring 32' round made by Doughboy. This package includes:

1. 20 mil exp solid blue liner
2. PPII 2 h.p. pump
3. MM1900 sand filter (250 lbs. sand)
4. Classic DLX Skimmer
5. Pump base
6. A-frame ladder
7. Pool cove
8. Zap Zit
9. Vac hose, vac head, skimmer net, wall brush, 8' to 16' telepole
10. Start up chemicals
11. Enhanced liner warranty

The price for this kit is $5980 out the door. We were initially looking
at a 28' but decided to get the biggest available. We have 5 kids from
9 to 15 yrs. and durability and size are big factors.

Please help us to make a sound investment. Thanks so much for your help!

Rustin

[prh129]

I just got a 24' Desert Spring. From my research Doughboy has been around for a long time and they seem to have a quality product. I like the look of the Desert Spring and it seems pretty substantial in terms of quality. The cost of my package was around 3100.00 which came with the Madrid liner (doesn't have the expandable bottom), no pool cove or Zap Zit or other chemicals but pretty much the rest of the stuff you listed. I got a cartridge filter but they also offered a sand option. Although you are looking at a bigger pool, it seems expensive as it was only $300 difference between a 21' and a 24'. I actually bought the pool last year on layaway so I'm sure prices went up since last year.

You might want to go to the Doughboy website and find another dealer in your area to get a price comparison.

Good luck!

Peter

[huskerfan]

If you're having concerns about the pump/filter combo, or plan to use the three B's for your chemicals; bleach, borax and baking soda, you might consider buying just a pool and the components separately. I think most people run a 2 speed pump/ depending on what your setup is.

I'm really impressed with the quality of our Echo Canyon by Artesian. I purchased it from the Pool Place in Chatanooga. I have an 18x34 oval, but another forum member: gwrace1 (hope I have that right), just bought their 33' round. Good luck!

[csevel]

I have the Echo Canyon 18' round...but don't have it up yet...

[rustin]

I had the same kind of luck with the pool dealer as Husker fan. I went to a different dealer to get a price comparison and the price was about $800 dollars lower at first but then when I asked for a fax of what we discussed he stuttered and said "Well this price doesn't include the liner or shipping or ...".
Sounds like a low ball get you in the door and let me work you over kinda deal. Then when I asked the initial dealer about changing up the pump and filter she seemed to get frustrated and gave me the " Ive been doing this for 25 yrs and I know what Im talking about" and proceeded to tell me this was a
"package deal" so the price would not differ much if I bought without their pump and filter.

Its very frustrating to me, I mean are people doing so good these days that they dont have to " sell you". This is by no means a necessity and I would think they would be willing to do what it takes to make the sale.

Im leaning more towards the Artesian pools now and have submitted a request for
quotes on their round pools. They have a 36' pool! WOW! I thought the 32' was as big as they made em.

Thanks for your repies and I would still appreciate advice and opinions.

What a great forum!

Rustin

[CarlD]

I'd be leery of a 2hp pump on ANY AG pool. Even an up-rated is probably too much pump and will burn electric like crazy. The bigger 250# filter isn't a problem. If the 2hp is 2 speed, to my mind it would make more sense.

[tbelle]

I'd be leery of a 2hp pump on ANY AG pool. Even an up-rated is probably too much pump and will burn electric like crazy. The bigger 250# filter isn't a problem. If the 2hp is 2 speed, to my mind it would make more sense.

I'm also looking to purchase a pool soon. The dealer here offers a Hayward 1.5 a 2hp pump depending on the pool size. I was told by someone who replaced a 2hp pump for someone, that when it was "opened, inspected" it was actually labeled a 1.5hp ??? Has anyone ever actually checked this??? The pool salesman also argued with me that you absolutely need the 2hp. I told him if I bought a pool, that I would want the 1.5hp and even my husband and the electrician next door said "you need the 2hp for more turnover" ?? The electrician neighbor said, "I deal with pumps all day long at a chemical plant and I know what I'm talking about". It seems that they are leaning more towards turnover versus lower electric bill.