INTEX 15ft X 42in Prism Frame Pool first time setup help

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Sean eidt

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May 21, 2018
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Mobile, al
Hello. My name is Sean. I'm installing a INTEX 15ft X 42in Prism Frame Pool. Amazon says it contains 3160 gallons.

I'm still in process of clearing ground leveling and then installing 1"foam underneath.

I'd like tips/tricks. And also what I'm more concerned with is setting up and maintaining the chemicals.

Please direct me to the best tutorial. I've download thePool math app. I was going to use liquid Clorox. What other chemicals will I need. Cheap and easy is what I'm looking for.

Thank you in advance for any help provided.
 
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Boy, are you in the right place!

First, make sure your site is as level as can be. That’s half the battle!

With a good test kit like the one in my sig, available at tftestkits.net, and the Pool Math app, you are already ahead of the game! Read up on the ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry - you will find it very helpful!

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Liquid chlorine and CYA (liquid or dry, but dry is way cheaper) to start. Muriatic acid for lowering PH when needed. Honestly, I’ve never had to use anything else.
 
So do you think the included filter is okay? Or is it going to just give me problems?

Are there any tricks to leveling the ground?

I'm clearing the grass from the spot in using and planning to use the 1" foam I've seen suggested to go underneath. Is that fine to just place foam directly on dirt with pavers then pool on top?
 
Truly, the pump/filter that comes with is usually not great, and most people upgrade theirs after the first year.

With leveling, you want to dig high areas out, rather than building low areas up. I used an 8 foot long 2 by 4, staked at one end and with a level on top, to level my site. You just push the stake into the middle of your spot, then pull the 2 by 4 around so you can see where your high spots are.

I used 2 inches of sand, but sure, you can use foam between dirt and ground. I don’t think I would use foam under the pavers though. You want the paver surface to be even with the ground, so there are no raised edges that could rub against your liner.
 
Are you saying put dirt on top of foam? I thought people were saying ground then foam (maybe then the under liner that was included) then pool.

I was planning to level it the way you are describing with the 2x4. I was also gonna try to get the pavers even with the ground before putting foam over.

Once everything is set just fill with house water? Then add chemicals at the end?

You have roughly the same size pool, just a foot wide and 6in taller. How much of each chemical would you add if you were setting up the pool for the first time?

Thanks for helping, I'm just trying to make sure the plan I have isn't too far off base.
 
I was checking out the pump in your signature. If I'm going to add one is like to have one that could be used with a larger pool Incase we upgrade in a few years to a 18 or 20 foot.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GSPHSVU/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

Something like this okay? Would I need adapters etc to make it work?

There are so many options. I'm mainly looking for cheap and easy to maintain. I'd rather spend a couple hundred up front if it's gonna save me time and energy in the long run.
 
Pump you have now is the cheap and easy to maintain and won't cause any problems. Problems come from not having the right chemicals so you need to figure out how to use Pool Math and understand the basics of water chemistry from the links above.

In terms of prep, getting the ground SOLID and LEVEL is critical. Get those right! To give you an idea it took a week for me to prep the ground and only an hour to setup the pool. If you are using foam make sure the seams are tight and taped. I recommend foam but don't see any need for pavers on such a pool. I didn't use pavers and it's fine. When setting up the actual pool make sure the legs are vertical and there are no wrinkles in the floor. Once your filling with water get some chlorine in...use the CYA chart and Pool Math to figure out how much.
 
I bought the pump/filter in my sig when I had the 15’ by 48” pool. The 12” sand filter is a bit small if you think you are going to size up your pool going forward. Mine is the 16”.

Confession... I didn’t use pavers either, but my ground is pretty hard packed. I used 2” of sand, compacted, the Intex ground cloth, and then a gorilla pad.

But if you do want to use pavers, I encourage you to not have the edges higher than your surface, so there is nothing to rub against your liner. You can cut the foam around the pavers.
 
Pavers definitely have to be flush if used! Besides rubbing, raised pavers significantly increase the weight on each leg and the stress at the floor seam.

On unrelated note, Kelly was there much difference going from the 15 to 16 foot diameter? I've been wondering how worthwhile it might be when it comes time to replace my current one.
 
Poolzzz said:
On unrelated note, Kelly was there much difference going from the 15 to 16 foot diameter? I've been wondering how worthwhile it might be when it comes time to replace my current one.
Click to expand...

Depends on who you ask! My daughter says she can’t tell, but I do feel the difference. Just seems more roomy. When I’m snoring on my pool float, takes a bit longer to bump an edge. LOL
 

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Ok I've cleared a 16ft circle of grass, used it to fill in bare sections of the yard. Now I need to level it. It isn't too bad, but there are slight ups and downs I want to work on, also going to rake it and try to remove any large rocks or debris.

Then I'm going to recess the pavers into the dirt. Then tape the foam sheets together, gorilla tape on one side metal tape on shiny side.

Then build pool on top.

Anyone have a rough idea of what chemicals, in what amount I need to get started. Is liquid Clorox easier or cheaper than the chlorine pucks?

CYA available locally?

Anything else needed?

Baking soda, borax?
 
I have these on hand which I bought before I found this site.

In the swim 10 x 1lb chlorine shock

Poolmaster 22211 smart test 4way kit

FibroPool Supersize Floating Chlorine Tablet Dispenser

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00W2UGDGQ?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001E6E9PG?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002WKQ3IE?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title

Will any of this be useful for setup?

Also how concerned should I be with damaging the soft wall of the pool when mowing the grass around it?
 
I would stick with liquid chlorine. Pucks have CYA in them, and while initially you won’t have any in your fill water, once you do get to your target level of CYA, you don’t want to go over, because the only way to get rid of it is to drain.

You can buy dry CYA at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s.

You’ll need muriatic acid for lowering PH, which has a tendency to drift upward with time. I buy mine at Home Depot in the 31.45%.

Take a look at this:

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Can’t remember if you got a test kit yet, so here you go:

Test Kits Compared

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You responded as I was replying! The test kit you mention in your post isn’t recommended. It doesn’t have the FAS-DPD or CYA test, and both of those are critical to maintaining your pool.

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When we mow, we go around the pool with the chute on the other side of the mower, so nothing is flying out hitting the liner. Blade isn’t exposed, so no problems!

Some folks put edging around the pool and line the area with mulch. That works too.

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I wouldn’t use any of the items in your links!
 
What foam are you using? It needs to be the pink or blue, not the white stuff.

I don't understand the need for pavers UNDER the foam.

Be sure to read the articles in Pool School (ABCs of water chemistry, Pool Math, CYA chart, Recommended Levels etc). It really is the best thing you can do to avoid problems.
 
Does anyone know if the foam I linked to is right for under the pool?

It is white. I think there is a pink down That costs 5 or 6 dollars more per sheet. Think I need about 7 sheets.

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Does anyone know if the foam I linked to is right for under the pool?

It is white. I think there is a pink one That costs 5 or 6 dollars more per sheet. Think Ill need about 7 sheets.
 
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-Corning-FOAMULAR-150-1-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-R-5-Scored-Square-Edge-Insulating-Sheathing-20WE/207179253?MERCH=REC-_-rv_mobileweb_rr-_-NA-_-207179253-_-N

Ok I found this pink foam. Is this correct?

I've read about the chemistry now. I put the figures for my pool in the app.

It says add 3 cups of bleach. And 1lb5oz of cyanuric acid. Does that sound right?

Do I need to keep Borax and balloons soda on hand just to adjust ph?

Is that all the chemicals required if using the standard pump?
 
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-Corning-FOAMULAR-150-1-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-R-5-Scored-Square-Edge-Insulating-Sheathing-20WE/207179253?MERCH=REC-_-rv_mobileweb_rr-_-NA-_-207179253-_-N

Ok I found this pink foam. Is this correct?

I've read about the chemistry now. I put the figures for my pool in the app.

It says add 3 cups of bleach. And 1lb5oz of cyanuric acid. Does that sound right?

Do I need to keep Borax and balloons soda on hand just to adjust ph?

Is that all the chemicals required if using the standard pump?
 

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