Bestway Pool Above Ground 18 x 9 x 4 foot Platinum Series w sand filter

[Mario Lopez]

Hello, newbie here.
Just setting up my new Bestway above ground, already installed filter & hoses. I was wondering if i can block one of my 2 intakes so i may have more pressure in the skimmer?? and leave it that way, i think these pools used to come w only 1 intake but for safety reasons they put 2, i have no small children so this wont be an issue. thanks !!

 

[domct203]

Welcome to the forum!

I don't see a skimmer on that pool, but sure, you could close off one of the suction ports.

I do notice however that you seem to have installed the pool on a thick bed of sand. Is it properly compacted to prevent settling under the weight of the water? When that pool is filled to 6" from the top, it will be holding 4200 gallons of water, over 17.5 tons in weight (35,100 lbs.).

Also, it is recommended that the support legs be on top of thick concrete blocks to prevent them from sinking into the sand.

How do you plan to test the water, and what is your sanitizer? If chlorine, what form?

 

[Mario Lopez]

wow, someone cares !! lol thanks !!
The skimmer is set up i just put it back in the shed, was getting dark outside.
Will be finishing up this weekend.
The ground is not level so i had it leveled along with a cement " curb like structure " to keep the sand in.
The area is filled with oval ( not sharp ) river stones and i put sand over that for softness.
About 6 inches of sand i think. Put the tarp under the pool, although it seems very thin.
I just purchased pressure treated wood for the 10 posts and the 6 lateral legs.
I wanted to put the pavers but my neighbor said it would be a pain to level each paver??
He said a 3 meter press treated board running the length of the legs ( parallel ) would work just as good and i would not have to level each paver.
I did compact sand. I bought a test kit for PH and Cl. Bought the 3 inch tabs of chlorine, i dont know if the chlorine tabs go in the skimmer or in that floating thing i just bought?
I tested the tap water at the ranch and it has no chlorine, at least none visible with the kit. I assume i will fill pool then check and adjust accordingly.
I want to add the salt water chlorinator, seems like less hassle. Saw a bunch of you tube vids on that.
I guess thats it. Thank you, are you Dom !! Just saw what u are running. very cool, neat, organized

 

[domct203]

Thank you.

The pool base should be level within 1” all around, including the supports for the legs.

If the sand is well compacted you should be ok, I would however have whatever support you use for the legs to be level and flush with the pool base.

That’s a very inviting space you have, I especially like the fire pit.

Long term use of Trichlor tablets, or granular Trichlor/Dichlor chlorine will result in the build up of CYA (stabilizer). As CYA levels rise, so must daily FC levels. As you add more FC through these solid/granular forms, the CYA continues to build. Quickly you will be far past the range of your current test kit, until the required FC level is not economical to maintain.

To avoid this, we recommend using liquid chlorine, aka bleach (sodium hypochlorite). The only other thing added with the FC is a bit of salt. We also recommend your CYA level to be managed independently by using plain CYA.

Yes, the SWG is the way to go, no lugging of bleach bottles, no CYA buildup from solid chlorine, it’s a great convenience. But be aware, it only adds chlorine for you, all other aspects of pool care are the same as a manually dosed pool. In fact, it is best to completely balance your water and maintain a FC level manually with bleach first before adding the SWG.

You should really invest in the proper test kit, if it is available in your location. You need a reliable kit that includes a FAS/DPD chlorine test, pH test, CYA test, TA test, and CH test. We normally recommend the TFtestkits.net TF-100, or the Taylor K2006-C.

Have you read any of the Pool School articles here at TFP?