Considering an above ground pool

[BigDave]

I had a few intex donuts before we got our traditioinal AG installed last year. I think it's a great way to explore whether you really want to own / operate a pool. It's also probably the only way to get 3-3.5 feet. Most traditional AG pools are closer to 4 feet. It's also probably the only way to have it useable this summer (may be too late for that as well). 18' is a nice size, my donuts were 12', 13', and 15'.

I know what you mean about the yuck under the donut, you'll probably have that on a perfectly level pool as well. I dipped a towel in pool water and wiped it down once a week.

If you learn the method of pool care that's taught here, you'll likely find that maintaining a pool is alot closer to easy than hard. It takes me 3-5 minutes a day to maintain my water - by comparison it takes me 10 minutes to remove or replace the solar cover. As for cost: this season it looks like I'll spend 80-100 dollars on chemicals for my 12x24 oval AG, I don't have numbers for electricity and make-up water.

If you do decide to "take the plunge", we'll be here to help you.

Since you're planning, let me say that planning your fill and startup is as important as planning the installation. If you wait till it's filled and then say "hmm, I think we need chlorine or something.", you'll be behind from the start.

In my opinion the most important Pool Chemical for new pools is a Taylor k-2006 test kit (accept no substitutes). Next is water.

Good luck! let us know.