Swimming Pool options

[MossRoad]

We used to call that "a clean lake".

 

[hunt4570]

We used to call that "a clean lake".

Still do, and I have two of those also! Well ponds anyway..

 

[hunt4570]

Recent Wall Street journal seems pertinent (requires sub): Natural Pool Owners Are Kissing Chlorine and Orher Chemical Goodbye. We’re looking to restore our old spring fed pond, but as it’s a 350 foot walk away from the house, having a pool nearby, and in view of the house, would be nice. A few things From the article I gleaned online;

“As the second summer of the pandemic approaches, waiting lists for in-ground pools and a chlorine shortage are sparking interest in so-called "bio" pools.”

“Natural pools are a tiny fraction of the U.S. residential pool market, which is dominated by pools that use chlorine and other chemicals to keep bacteria and microbes at bay. They are a sustainable choice, requiring less energy to operate.”

“The water is somewhere between a mossy hue to a jade color. Aquatic plants and materials like gravel create a naturally occurring ecosystem with biofilms called a regeneration zone. Water is kept clean as it recirculates over the film of micro-organisms.“

”Natural pools cost ~$125/sf, excluding decks, electrical and landscaping. That is ~10% more than installation costs for a chlorine pool. But they are slightly less expensive to maintain.”

“In the U.K., architects Emma and Spencer Guy recently installed a 38-by-18-foot natural pool in Buckinghamshire, about an hour from London.” “There is nothing better than a swallow dipping next to you to drink as you swim in clean, odorless, warm water.”

”Natural pools cost ~$125/sf, excluding decks, electrical and landscaping. That is ~10% more than installation costs for a chlorine pool. But they are slightly less expensive to maintain.”

“Natural pools require about as much work as a traditional pool.

“We have to cut back the plants in the regeneration zone for the winter, treat water with beneficial bacteria a few times a season, drain pipes, and vacuum the bottom and sides...”

No thanks...

 

[geteh]

I have a small, in ground pool that I'm building myself. It's only 3 feet deep and 12x16 feet wide. It holds about 1,700 gallons. My original plan was to do salt water because I heard that it's safer for dogs to drink. Recently I've learned that the small amount of salt in a pool is still very corrosive and there are a lot of people that have switched to chlorine because of issues with the salt. I don't want to have chlorine because I think it's harmful to my dogs.

A friend that also shows Akita's has something called Nature2 for her in ground pool. It's a huge pool, and the water looks fantastic. I don't know all the details for her pool, but they are very happy with it and they are highly recommending it.

Does anybody know anything about Nature2 for swimming pools?

Is this too good to be true?

Home shows their products, and I'm trying to read through it to see what I should get, or if I should go with them after checking out some Safe Step Tub reviews to see what other customers have experienced.


Amazon.com : Nature2 W2171 Express Mineral Pool Sanitizer, Above Ground : Swimming Pool Cleaning Tools : Garden & Outdoor could it be this cheap and simple to have clear water for the summer?


Since my pool is not done, we just fill it for the weekend and then dump it, or add bromine tablets for my hot tub to the pool fountain, which gives me another week of use. This is very wasteful and I'm hoping to get to the point where I can fill it up and keep it full without it turning green on me. then when temps drop in the Fall, I'll drain it and keep it empty until it gets warm again the following year.

I recently moved into my new home, and I have a fairly large backyard. My kids are pushing for a swimming pool. I’m open to the idea but need to find the most affordable option. Can anyone recommend what to look for or any companies that are both inexpensive and reliable? Is it possible to do the pool first and then tackle the rest of the landscaping later in phases? Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated.

 

[EddieWalker]

I totally forgot that I started this thread!!!!

In my opinion, if you are new to pools, and you are unsure how much you want to commit to one, I would buy a cheap one to get through a Summer and see where you want to go from there. The one we bought lasted long enough to decide to go all in and build our own inground pool. It's only 12x16 and 3 foot deep, so it's ideal for floating and cooling off. When we have the grandson over, he plays in it all day long!!! Even my parents felt comfortable getting in it on a hot day.



Another option is a "Cowboy Pool" You buy a big water trough for livestock. Buy an above ground pool pump with a filter, and drill 2 holes into the tank to circulate the water. I've only done one, and it was for a client. After I finished it, she had it landscaped, and then decorated the area. She is elderly and wanted it for her grandkids, but when nobody is around, she enjoys soaking in it too.



The biggest challenge with any pool is keeping the water clear. It's a weekly, and sometimes more often chore that has to be done or you will regret it. Algae is always trying to take over. The second you see any green in the pool, it's too late. The filter will become clogged even after dumping a gallon of shock into the water.

I ended up going with Bromine in my pool. Chorine makes my skin itch. Salt seemed like a good idea, but Bromine was just easier.

The best thing about a small pool is being able to empty it when the temps cool off. I only have water in mine from June to the beginning of September. I have clients with big built in pools, and it's a year round expense to keep the water clear, clean out the leaves, and vacuum the bottom. Most hire it out. A few do it themselves, and it's a non stop complaint about how they regret getting the pool. I can't think of anybody that I know who has a big built in pool, that wants to keep it. Every single one of them would like to fill it in and not have it anymore. But I also have to say that their kids are all grown, and nobody uses the pool except when their kids come home, or their grand kids come over. When their kids where young, they enjoyed their pools.

I personally enjoy floating in my pool in summer after being outdoors. Nothing is more relaxing then being in the water!!!! I'm in it every day.

 

[MossRoad]

I recently moved into my new home, and I have a fairly large backyard. My kids are pushing for a swimming pool. I’m open to the idea but need to find the most affordable option. Can anyone recommend what to look for or any companies that are both inexpensive and reliable? Is it possible to do the pool first and then tackle the rest of the landscaping later in phases? Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Are you talking in-ground or above-ground?

In-ground is a whole nuther animal when it comes to initial installation costs. $$$

We've had a 24' above ground for over 25 years. Been through several different chemicals... chlorine, Baquacil, salt water, but now back to chlorine. Pretty easy to maintain. Definitely a luxury, but got tons of use out of it when the kids were little. Now that they're gone, the wife uses it every day at noon for 50 minute float ride. I use it after work. We both use it on the weekends.

But around here, it's only about a 4 month usability due to angle of the sun. The other 8 months it sits there with a cover on it. And you have to keep an eye on the cover, remove standing water, leaves, etc.. a few times in fall and spring. Winter here, it just sits with a frozen puddle on it.

I'd say it only takes me about 5 minutes to do my chemistry every week. You do have to brush the sidewalls and vacuum it once a week. That take me about 1/2 hours. And, interestingly, the LESS you use it, the MORE you have to clean it. When people use it, the water gets stirred up and the filter removes more of the dirt. If nobody uses it, dirt settles in areas where the water doesn't circulate, and the bottom will get a slippery feeling to it.

Anyhow, we find it worth the effort and enjoy it. Honestly, now that the kids are gone, the wife said if this pool ever dies, we could go with a much smaller one, as all we do is bob around in it. I can hold the sidewall and do leg work or brace my feet on the bottom and do arm work. So a 15' would be fine for us.

Good luck with your research. Hope that helped a bit.

 

[Diggin It]

I went cheap (like I usually do). $100 for a 10' round by 30" deep thing that holds around 1,100 gallons. Just enough to sit and and cool off. Easy enough to set up and tear down, but I just leave it in place. Got close to 10 years out of the first one and about 4 years so far on this one.

Pumps that come with them don't last though and don't do very well when they work.

I've ended up using a Shop Vac to suck the sediment out and a skimmer to keep the leaves out.

It went super green this last Spring for some reason. Emptied it and refilled it with county water and it went back to green in a few weeks. Probably some algae left under the folds and in some crevices that re-populated. Dropped some algae killer in it and it's stayed clear all summer.

Still clear now .... under the ice on the surface.

 

[JeepHead]

I recently moved into my new home, and I have a fairly large backyard. My kids are pushing for a swimming pool. I’m open to the idea but need to find the most affordable option. Can anyone recommend what to look for or any companies that are both inexpensive and reliable? Is it possible to do the pool first and then tackle the rest of the landscaping later in phases? Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated.

This is who we ordered our pool from. We went with the largest Oval pool they offered and then upgraded the liner to the thickest available along with some other add-ons as well. They are having a huge sale right now. We ordered ours about this time last year too. Very high quality pools and we received a skid weighing 2K pounds dropped off in our drive within a week.

Above Ground Pools | Semi Inground Pools | Swimming Pool Supplies

Looking for Above Ground Pools, Semi Inground Pools, Pool Chemicals, Covers & Equipment? Shop Swimming Pools & Supplies with free delivery.

www.thepoolfactory.com

 

[riptides]

I have had pools all my life. I started with a basic above ground.
Nothing fancy. You need to own one through a few seasons to figure out how far down the pool hole you want to go. You may end up not liking it...or going full throttle into something bigger and permanent.
Our current pool has a serinity factor to it. Even with no use it has a calming and socialization effect as the water and landscape just draw people to and around it.
Invest in quality pumps, filters and chemicals and you will be in control of a beautiful experience. Good luck.

 

[MossRoad]

I have had pools all my life. I started with a basic above ground.
Nothing fancy. You need to own one through a few seasons to figure out how far down the pool hole you want to go. You may end up not liking it...or going full throttle into something bigger and permanent.
Our current pool has a serinity factor to it. Even with no use it has a calming and socialization effect as the water and landscape just draw people to and around it.
Invest in quality pumps, filters and chemicals and you will be in control of a beautiful experience. Good luck.

Yes, often we just sit by the pool on the deck with a few umbrellas open, the flowers in the planters are always pretty, the filter running and the return jet pointed up a bit make a nice water sound. Have some snacks, or a lunch or dinner out there pretty often. Great gathering place.