Manly Kiddie Pool

[Ray2310]

Having an inlet/outlet does open up possibilities for heat or better filters or ...

Last year we purchaced a skimmer that hooks over the blow up tube. Works pretty good at clearing debris off the top. Keeps the bottom cleaner. Also I just put some chlorine tablets in it to treat the water.

eBay: INTEX SURFACE SKIMMER w/ BASKET EASY WET FRAME SET POOL (item 250095469260 end time Apr-16-07 06:37:06 PDT)

 

[kwolfe]

OK, how about this for an idea. I see free used bed liners in the paper all the time. Drop one of those in a hole. Use portland cement or sand to smooth out the ridges on the bottom, then throw an inexpensive pond liner on top. This should give me a decent size and depth. I could create two steps on the open end using pressure treated 6 x 6s (using the pond liner to cover them. I wonder if you can get light blue pond liners?

 

[KubotaSteve]

I had a one of those pools with the air ring at the top and it was a decent alternative until I could afford to put in the larger pool. My only issue was that the way the sides slope up it is hard to keep them clean. Mine had a filter and pump set up but the pump went bad part way through the second year. I'm not sure how big you are looking to go, but I have seen some large poly tubs in tractor supply. With the age of your kids, I think one of those poly tubs would work well. Plus I think they are black which would really help heat the water. Check this one out here Tractor Supply Company - 8 FT X 2 FT, 625 GAL. ROUND POLY TANK

 

[kwolfe]

I had a one of those pools with the air ring at the top and it was a decent alternative until I could afford to put in the larger pool. My only issue was that the way the sides slope up it is hard to keep them clean. Mine had a filter and pump set up but the pump went bad part way through the second year. I'm not sure how big you are looking to go, but I have seen some large poly tubs in tractor supply. With the age of your kids, I think one of those poly tubs would work well. Plus I think they are black which would really help heat the water. Check this one out here Tractor Supply Company - 8 FT X 2 FT, 625 GAL. ROUND POLY TANK

Thanks Steve, that looks perfect. Showed it to the wife last night. I am going to burry it almost to ground level. I am also going to buy a pump/filter from those Intex pools (about $40) so that I can keep the water clean. I don't wan to have to drain and refill 600 gallons every week.

Thanks again to everyone for your input. Hopefully an inground pool will go in in a year or two.

 

[KubotaSteve]

I'm not sure about burying the pool unless you are going to have a fence around it. Kids that young could fall in and drown very easily. On my above ground pool, the sides are 52 inches high and on the deck I have a 44" rail on the deck and the gate has self closing hinges and an automatic latch on the pool side of the gate leaving no chance for the kids getting into the pool. My 10 year old who is 5 foot tall can open the gate but know's when she is allowed on the lower deck. My 4 year old can't even reach the top of the gate much less over and down to the latch.
Remember anyone can drown in an inch of water.
Be safe and have fun.

 

[hudlow]

Buy a hot tub.

Don't waste money on something you can only use 3 or 4 months out of the year.

You can use the hot tub year 'round - you don't have to put hot water in it.

 

[kwolfe]

A hot tub would be too expensive, too deep, and not used the other 8 months. Kids are too young. Maybe when they go to college in 16 years .

 

[shvl73]

My brother in law bought one of the inflatable, pools with the filter system. They really work well, however the wife has crossed that off the list since they are too deep and not that easy to drap two kids in and out of by herself.
Kevin

I've seen those pools as small as 8' and really shallow, but still with the cheap filter system.

 

[kwolfe]

I bought the tub from TSC yesterday. They had a 9 ft, but it was $80 more. I got the 8ft by 2ft deep one for $200. I can buy a pump/filter combos for those inflatables at Wallymart for about $40.

Hopefully I will get a chance to start digging the hole and start the plumbing. I will post it in a new thread. This project should be fun. An inground kiddie pool. COOL

 

[SnoFalls]

If it were me ... don't spend the $40 on the cheapo filters used in the intex like pools ... they are junk. (especially if this is going inground).

I plain stopped using the "filter" with mine and last year, and would just skim/empty regularly when it was up.

The "intex" cartridge would last about 2 days and then clog and then ... no filtration. You'll require LARGE filter media.

Most backyard pond filter systems rely upon some level of a "bacterial media" layer, but also usually have a screen and washable media layer. If you use chlorine, then the "bacterial media" layer is toasted, but the screen and washable filter could suffice. I'm going to give that a try this summer.

You *will* have to regularly maintain your filtration. It is simply a matter of how often.