Finally installing. A few random questions:

[hrsdennis]

Hi Bad, How bout them Jazz? I sure hope the Suns win a couple more so we can play you guys.

I think the overall consensus is you are better off without the end blocks. Brace blocks are a must have.

Dirt is fine for all of your backfill needs. They just want to make sure it will pack firm and not settle under the weight of the water.

I would use your foam first with your preformed coving over that. Sand is not needed and would just mess things up.

I would give the fumes from the triox as much time as possible to disperse before putting a liner over it. A couple of days would be ideal.

Best of luck, Dennis

[badutahboy]

Thanks for the info dennis... much appreciated.

For the bracing blocks, is the 12x12x1 block the instructions call for enough? I saw that matt recommended something bigger in another thread, but home depot here doesn't sell solid cinder blocks anymore.... just the decorative landscaping blocks, which are pretty crumbly. I was thinking of stacking two 12x12x1 blocks on top of another... good idea or bad?



As for the jazz.. thanks! I'm hoping for phoenix to win too.... I think you guys would be a little easier for us to contain than San Antonio, because their style of play is similar to ours, and they'll beat us in most direct matchups.. You guys present more of a coaching challenge, but if we can disrupt your game plan, you're more beatable than San Antonio...

I was seriously disappointed when you guys lost the other night... Too bad David Stern and Co are dead set on S.A. getting past you.. diaw and stoudamire got screwed!

[badutahboy]

Another question... Is there a shortcut method of getting the braces aligned, other than staking out 20 different stake locations?

It seems to me that I ought to be able to find the exact center point, and set up the center brace, then measure the distance from the center brace, to the next brace, and align them that way... My pool is running alongside a block wall, much like the one in dennis' picture install thread from last year, so it seems like I can check for square by making sure the braces are parrallel to each other, and the same distance off the block wall.

Am I wrong? or am I wasting a ton of time following the manufacturer's install instructions, being that my ground is already level... It seems that all their staking instructions are mostly geared towards leveling, but then the brace locations are figured off those existing stakes.

Just FYI, the instructions I'm looking at are located here:

http://www.atlanticpoolproducts.com/...vantagegib.pdf

[hrsdennis]

Hey Bad, Check out this thread and let me know if this is the pool you are installing.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=4411

Those instructions are something else.

[badutahboy]

That's the thread I was referring to..

My wall has a different pattern, but from what I understand, Atlantic pools packages the same pool under 3 different names, with different wall designs.. The one I bought is called the J-5000.. they also call it the Vantage, and I don't know the third name, but I don't think it's gibralter... regardless, the pools are VERY similar... so I would assume the install procedure would be almost exactly the same.

[badutahboy]

Bump.. Dennis? got any advice?

[hrsdennis]

Hi, I am off today to build a 15 x 30. I will get a few detailed photos for you. I only use a string on one side and a center point as a guide. From there I space with the bottom rails and connecting straps.

With a tape measure I make sure the distance apart is the same at the front and rear of the braces. I also check the entire brace assembly for square before backfilling.

I hope I can post more this evening, Dennis