Buying a pool for the first time! Please help... Clueless!

[PoolDoc]

@Lisa, the 3/4HP pump you're familiar with is an in-ground pump. There are HP rating games that go on with AG pumps; in most lines of AG pumps there is no such thing as a 3/4 HP pump.

@Nina. Skip the Nature2 unit: it adds copper, which does kill algae, but also stains pools and turns light hair green. If you DO want to add copper, there are much cheaper ways to do it.

+ Absolutely, get the bigger filter.

+ Get the smallest 2 speed pump they have. If they have a 1HP 2 speed, get that. But a 2HP 2 speed is better for you than a 1HP 1 speed. You'll run it on low speed almost always -- which is quieter, saves electricity . . . and filters better!

12' vs 15'? Can't help on that -- people rarely wish they got a smaller pool, but if you can't fit a 15' in easily that's an issue.

For what it's worth, I always check registration addresses as a way to keep spammers out. (I'm the only one that can see those -- even Lisa who's been a moderator here for years and years doesn't see those.) Anyhow -- it looks like your next door neighbor has an above ground that -- according to Google -- is a 18' or 20'. It's definitely a snug fit. But if you can peek over the fence, it could give you an idea about what you'd prefer.

. . . membership upgraded.

[nina811]

@Lisa, the 3/4HP pump you're familiar with is an in-ground pump. There are HP rating games that go on with AG pumps; in most lines of AG pumps there is no such thing as a 3/4 HP pump.

@Nina. Skip the Nature2 unit: it adds copper, which does kill algae, but also stains pools and turns light hair green. If you DO want to add copper, there are much cheaper ways to do it.

+ Absolutely, get the bigger filter.

+ Get the smallest 2 speed pump they have. If they have a 1HP 2 speed, get that. But a 2HP 2 speed is better for you than a 1HP 1 speed. You'll run it on low speed almost always -- which is quieter, saves electricity . . . and filters better!

12' vs 15'? Can't help on that -- people rarely wish they got a smaller pool, but if you can't fit a 15' in easily that's an issue.

For what it's worth, I always check registration addresses as a way to keep spammers out. (I'm the only one that can see those -- even Lisa who's been a moderator here for years and years doesn't see those.) Anyhow -- it looks like your next door neighbor has an above ground that -- according to Google -- is a 18' or 20'. It's definitely a snug fit. But if you can peek over the fence, it could give you an idea about what you'd prefer.

. . . membership upgraded.

Thanks for the replies.

Ben- I checked out my neighbors pool. You were spot on, it's an 18' and in my opinion a little too big for the space. It definitely helped me envision what a 15 footer would look like in my space. Thanks for the membership upgrade! I can't tell you how valuable this site has been over the last few days! Thanks.

We decided on the 15'... now we are trying to decided whether we go with the 52'' (with metal side rails) or 54'' (ALL resin.) In your opinion does the 2 in height in water actually make much of a difference? I'm only 5'3 and my fiance is on the shorter side (5'7.) We have a 3 year old and are planning to be in our home for at the very least 10 years.

[PoolDoc]

Ben- I checked out my neighbors pool. You were spot on, it's an 18' and in my opinion a little too big for the space.

You're probably younger than I am -- most people are, now that I'm 60 -- so this may not affect you the same way, but isn't amazing that I could tell figure that out in 1 minute using an instantly available space-photo of your back yard?

I'm old enough to remember when my parents got their first TV, an old green *heavy* thing with a 12" screen, because Daddy wanted to watch the news about the Cuban missile crisis. It stuck in my mind, because I remember realizing that he was scared, which scared me, because he was is a WWII combat infantry vet and usually didn't get scared.

I just saw a report a few days ago, that we soon may have LIVE video from space for big cities and news events! That's a lot of change in 60 years!

[BigDave]

... now we are trying to decided whether we go with the 52'' (with metal side rails) or 54'' (ALL resin.) In your opinion does the 2 in height in water actually make much of a difference? I'm only 5'3 and my fiance is on the shorter side (5'7.) We have a 3 year old and are planning to be in our home for at the very least 10 years.

I'd choose resin, not for the height but because you expect the pool to last 10 years. I'm concerned with the steel bottom rails on my pool as they are always in contact with the ground.