Above/In Ground pool?

[Jurgen]

I'm considering installing a pool in my back garden. The garden slopes slightly so I intended part digging out and installing a wooden above ground pool with decking so the pool looks in ground (hope that makes sense). Before going ahead, I was wondering whether other above ground pools (metal frame, resin etc.) can be installed in this way? It seems a bit of a waste covering up all that wood, and the other options may be cheaper. :confused:

[Glan]

Hi Jurgen,
I can see what you mean about not seeing all that expensive wood. I have answered this sort of question on the forum before, but to clarify…..

If I can start by explaining that probably over 10 years ago we as a company started installing above ground pools in the ground. This was a much cheaper way of achieving an inground pool, and most instances we had decided to go for a steel walled pool(this was pre wooden pools), due to the fact that as you know one end of the pool could/would be out of the ground, so Doughboy, Equinox, Regatta and Alligator pools have always been used. The down side to installing an above ground pool partly/wholly in the ground is the back fill element. These metal walled pools all work on the same premise inasmuch as they are only strong once the pool is full of water. So if you want to back fill these pools and slab around them, you would need to first build the pool, then fill the pool, then slowly concrete the cavity behind the pool to form a solid concrete ring behind the pool.

My very first pool of this sort that I installed, I backfilled with 6mm pea shingle, and then concreted a top ring beam, i.e. exactly as we build inground pools. This was great until 4 years later I was called to site to replace the pool lining which had been accidentally damaged in a storm. When I removed the water, there was the tinkling sound of pea shingle – to my horror, once I had removed the pressure from inside the pool, the walls slowly collapsed in!!! – This learning curve cost me around £5000 to put right.

So now we have wooden pools, they are a completely different design to metal walled pools. They are all generally made out of 45mm thick planks of wood, which is strong enough to be self supporting, and have a good resistance to ground pressure from behind the pool. The wood is tanalised & pressure treated to give 10year warranty, and in all probability will be good for 20 years in a well drained site. They are far easier to build, (as I am sure if anyone else has ever built a large oval above ground metal pool will testify), and fit in nicely to the current deck theme that we are all installing in our gardens. To sink this type of pool in the ground, you should always ensure that the pool is backfilled with stone chippings, which will allow the ground to drain, and reduce any standing water which would otherwise rot the wood.

We now have many customers which have chosen this option, and hopefully some of them may post their experiences for us to share as well.

Hope this helps

All the best

Glan

[Jurgen]

Glan,

Thanks very much for your excellent and detailed reply. I'd sort of decided that the wooden option was the best way to proceed mainly because it'll look smarter against the decking etc. Your reply has further convinced me that it's the right decision! Out of interest, in your opinion, which is the better quality pool the plastica or Odessea (sp)? The plastica appears better value due to the inclusion of the heater (4M hexagonal).

Regards,

Jurgen

[Glan]

Hi Jurgen,
The pools are made out of the same grade of wood, so I would go with the plastica premium at this time, especially with either the free heater option, or the braces for the oval pools.
ATB
Glan

[bernieclifford]

Hi everyone
i need help i have a 10ft easy set pool for the kids and i have all the relevant chemicals but the water is still cloudy.
I have all the correct levels,ph etc. i have tried the bioguard polysheen blue but its still cloudy.
PLEASE HELP ME!!!!
Bernie

[Glan]

Hi Bernieclifford,
Cloudy water is caused generally by 3 things:

1. Ph – if you have a high ph it will make the water look cloudy, so ensure you keep your ph at 7.4 – this will also enable your chlorine to work at its optimum.

2. Lack of filtration, obviously if you have cloudy water you will need to remove the debris in suspension by utilising your cartridge filter, so make sure you run the filter for as long a possible each day. Don’t forget that you are advised not to use your pool when the electrics are on to the pump/filter. You can add liquid clarifiers to the water to help bind the tiny bits together, this will enable your filter to remove them more easily. If you have a Supa-vac II you can vac your pool and remove the dirty water straight over the edge, so removing the dirt & debris without cluttering up your cartridge.

3. Bacteria/Algae build up, it is advised that you shock your pool at least once a fortnight with shock chlorine granules. This will ensure that bacteria/algae does not get a foot hold in your water.

Hope this helps :)

All the best

Glan

[bernieclifford]

Thanks Glen.
My tester sticks tell me that the ph is fine, i try and filter 4-6 hours a day and have tried the liquid clarifiers.
I have bought"burn out lite" should i use this next?
I did the shock treatment last week.
Maybe my only hope is to buy one of your vacs as suggested to another member
Please help im puzzled.
Bernie

[Glan]

Hi Bernie,
You do need to run your filter as much as possible, 4-6 hours won't do.

As for burn out lite, this is a non-chlorine shock treatment. Good for getting you out of trouble on a Friday afternoon when the children want to use the pool, and you know it needs a shock, as you can re-use the pool about an hour after using the burn out, but there is no substitute for shock chlorine, it kills all know germs dead so to speak!

The supa vac’s will be in stock mid to end of next week, and you can now order them for delivery around that time.

ATB

Glan :)

[bernieclifford]

Thanks
i w :confused: ill filter more!!! its just as a novice to the pool world i only did what the instructions said.i know this is a silly question can i filter when its raining? the cable will get wet and trip the electrics?
bernie