The Above Ground Outdoor Swimming Pool Thread
Discussion
Blue Horizons mushroom, throw it in and forget about chemicals. The only exception to that rule is if the chemicals are already shot to pieces before you add the mushroom, in which case you will need to use test strips and get things balanced again first.
My kids haven’t used ours for nearly a month, we just haven’t had the weather so I’m a bit pissed off with paying to filter/heat for nothing.
https://www.ukpoolstore.co.uk/product/blue-horizon...
My kids haven’t used ours for nearly a month, we just haven’t had the weather so I’m a bit pissed off with paying to filter/heat for nothing.
https://www.ukpoolstore.co.uk/product/blue-horizon...
Checked the pool yesterday and the heater was off. None of us have been in it for a few weeks but the heater has only just stopped working. I have dropped a line to the seller after replacing the 13A fuse in the plug because there are so few buttons, it's impossible to know what to do to diagnose the problem.
Be irritating if the sun finally comes out and the heater isn't working!
Be irritating if the sun finally comes out and the heater isn't working!
Get the TP energy plug, you can check what’s being drawn and it’ll be obvious if the heater or pump aren’t on.
After around 2 weeks my filter will get clogged, slowing down the flow rate and ultimately my heater will then shutdown to prevent it overheating. Once I’ve backwashed and rinsed the pump returns to full power and the heater will kick back in.
Our pool has been used once in four weeks and now we’re away for two weeks, so probably going to call it quits and pack it up for 2023.
After around 2 weeks my filter will get clogged, slowing down the flow rate and ultimately my heater will then shutdown to prevent it overheating. Once I’ve backwashed and rinsed the pump returns to full power and the heater will kick back in.
Our pool has been used once in four weeks and now we’re away for two weeks, so probably going to call it quits and pack it up for 2023.
Our pool is 30x20 half above ground half below with the earth built up at the edges , unheated , This time of year with the nights cooling off it struggles with maintaining daytime temps . Looked at various heaters but prices seemed stupid so made my own , it's slightly Heath Robinson but is very efficient . A three foot copper coil sits on top of our fire pit ,a sump pump and flow regulator sit in the pool connected via hose to the coil , another hose sends the hot water from the coil back into the pool , simple but very effective .
Just been in ours for what must be the first time in 2 maybe 3 weeks. The weathers been pretty naff !
May-July we were in it every 2/3 days.
POA for next year is to upgrade the heating and filter to a sand one and a “proper” above ground heater in the hope that the pool will heat up quicker and possibly have the pump running all the time but to a steadier temp of say 25 degrees.
Toying with the idea of building a frame to go around it in the hope of retaining some heat…
I don’t think (haven’t noticed) our leccy bill gone up too much I think £40/50 which is cheaper than two trips for “ice cream” after swimming.
With the weather being naff we’ve deduced to pack away next weekend.
May-July we were in it every 2/3 days.
POA for next year is to upgrade the heating and filter to a sand one and a “proper” above ground heater in the hope that the pool will heat up quicker and possibly have the pump running all the time but to a steadier temp of say 25 degrees.
Toying with the idea of building a frame to go around it in the hope of retaining some heat…
I don’t think (haven’t noticed) our leccy bill gone up too much I think £40/50 which is cheaper than two trips for “ice cream” after swimming.
With the weather being naff we’ve deduced to pack away next weekend.
I went in our pool for the first time in probably 6 weeks today. The new power lead from the pool heater people (under warranty) fixed the heater so I ran it from Wednesday night and it got up to 31C by Friday.
The pool heater power lead has an in-line trip box which looks like it should be for exterior use - it’s only a couple of feet away from the unit itself. But I suspect water had got into the original one which is why the trip failed. Not sure what to do to protect the replacement; I installed exterior power sockets this year and a plinth for the heater next to them but the sockets don’t have space in them to enclose the trip box as well.
The pool heater power lead has an in-line trip box which looks like it should be for exterior use - it’s only a couple of feet away from the unit itself. But I suspect water had got into the original one which is why the trip failed. Not sure what to do to protect the replacement; I installed exterior power sockets this year and a plinth for the heater next to them but the sockets don’t have space in them to enclose the trip box as well.
Wallace12R said:
Wallace12R said:
Wallace12R said:
Back for another year of water based fun, I’m in the process of recommissioning our pool after winter. Last night I decided that I’d order a Sunspring ASHP in the hope of getting some cheaper more controllable heat instead of the Intex heater we used last year. Then this morning I decided to order a new 1500gph filter in order to be able to keep the pool cleaner. About an hour after ordering the new filter I’d ordered a new pool 
I saw it advertised on Facebook incredibly cheap, and we’d planned on upgrading next year as the kids are bigger now and we need a deeper pool.
This is what I’ve ordered, it’s a Bestway Hydrium 12ft x 48in steel walled pool. It comes with ground sheet, cover, ladder, and sand filter. Although I won’t use the sand filter and stick with the 1500gph filter I’ve already ordered. Heat pump and filter are coming tomorrow, and the pool will be here either tomorrow or Wednesday. Now just to get some Halfords garage mats, some timber and a couple tons of sand, sort out the corner of the garden where our knackered old shed is sitting, and create a new base
The new pool has been shipped and should be here tomorrow, new filter is running on the current pool along with the Sunspring ASHP. That’s magic! I thought I’d plumb it in and give it a test run, it raised the temp from 17.5 to 19.5 in around 90mins which I was impressed with. I looked at the leccy meter whilst it was running and it was costing 20p an hour to run. 20p! Seriously impressed with that. I’ve told the kids that they can go in the pool after school tomorrow so I’ll see how quickly it can raise the temp up to 28-30. I saw it advertised on Facebook incredibly cheap, and we’d planned on upgrading next year as the kids are bigger now and we need a deeper pool. This is what I’ve ordered, it’s a Bestway Hydrium 12ft x 48in steel walled pool. It comes with ground sheet, cover, ladder, and sand filter. Although I won’t use the sand filter and stick with the 1500gph filter I’ve already ordered. Heat pump and filter are coming tomorrow, and the pool will be here either tomorrow or Wednesday. Now just to get some Halfords garage mats, some timber and a couple tons of sand, sort out the corner of the garden where our knackered old shed is sitting, and create a new base
So now I’ve got to order a 12ft x 48” Bestway steel pro max to appease the kids disappointment.
Just need to get the area around the pool base sorted now.
Ours isn’t quite the same as most “above ground pools” because I built it out of concrete but some of its above ground (see second photo) but we experience the same issues as the rest of you.
Been struggling to keep it at temperature since July with the cooler ambient air during the day and cold nights.
Been making use of it though, I’ve been in every day of the last week (been off with the kids) and we had about 90mins in it yesterday even whilst it was raining - it’s alright once you’re already wet!
See, it IS an above ground pool…
Will likely close it up in a few weeks, kids can have some fun over the next week before they go back to school but then I need to get the water level down so I can fit some new valves and build a new perch for the heat pump.
Been struggling to keep it at temperature since July with the cooler ambient air during the day and cold nights.
Been making use of it though, I’ve been in every day of the last week (been off with the kids) and we had about 90mins in it yesterday even whilst it was raining - it’s alright once you’re already wet!
See, it IS an above ground pool…
Will likely close it up in a few weeks, kids can have some fun over the next week before they go back to school but then I need to get the water level down so I can fit some new valves and build a new perch for the heat pump.
Edited by AlmostUseful on Thursday 7th September 21:53
Ha, yeah, me too. I went away for the second half of August, and came back to it full of leaves and debris, but otherwise pretty clear looking. Have given it a shock plus algaecide, and as good a clear out as I can with the old net-on-a-pole thing, run the filter constantly and cleaned it out every day, and it's swimmable again. Just about to go take a cooling dip as it goes.
sunnygym said:
Gave up on this year and picked it away, been wet cold and miserable. Hopefully next year we will get a better summer and more use out of the pool
I so nearly did this over August bank holiday weekend. I turned off the filter pump and heater but didn't drain it - fortunately! Turned it all back on Monday evening and the water was 31C yesterday afternoon - still nice and refreshing.There's a lot more tree debris to clear away though, now autumn seems to be upon us.
Jobbo said:
sunnygym said:
Gave up on this year and picked it away, been wet cold and miserable. Hopefully next year we will get a better summer and more use out of the pool
I so nearly did this over August bank holiday weekend. I turned off the filter pump and heater but didn't drain it - fortunately! Turned it all back on Monday evening and the water was 31C yesterday afternoon - still nice and refreshing.There's a lot more tree debris to clear away though, now autumn seems to be upon us.
Edited by sunnygym on Saturday 9th September 16:14
We are making progress on our pool
The plinth is being constructed and all the pipe work laid in readiness as the pool itself is constructed off site from a shipping container then craned into position.
This is in Nairobi.
I'm back there next month. I don't expect to be swimming (at least not there) but I can be a bit more hands on which usually doesn't end well.
The plinth is being constructed and all the pipe work laid in readiness as the pool itself is constructed off site from a shipping container then craned into position.
This is in Nairobi.
I'm back there next month. I don't expect to be swimming (at least not there) but I can be a bit more hands on which usually doesn't end well.
Emptied ours (three hose pipes in parallel syphoning meant it was a lot quicker than filling) and dismantled it at the weekend too. I’d forgotten what a jolly laugh folding a circular pool is.
Fingers crossed next year it’ll be erected on a new flat patio rather than the current slightly sloping ground. Which raises two questions I’d not had before:
- What do you put down to make it more comfortable to stand on the bottom? I use 1cm thick EVA foam tiles currently but that’s on earth which has a bit of give; I reckon it’ll need something more effective; and
- If you erect your pool on a slabbed patio, is there much risk of damage? I was thinking a plank under each upright at least to mitigate the point load cracking a slab.
Fingers crossed next year it’ll be erected on a new flat patio rather than the current slightly sloping ground. Which raises two questions I’d not had before:
- What do you put down to make it more comfortable to stand on the bottom? I use 1cm thick EVA foam tiles currently but that’s on earth which has a bit of give; I reckon it’ll need something more effective; and
- If you erect your pool on a slabbed patio, is there much risk of damage? I was thinking a plank under each upright at least to mitigate the point load cracking a slab.
Pool up yesterday, filled with water by 10am today - I’m pleased how quickly it was ready to fill considering I’ve moved house. Ready made flat space for it on the patio, though I think I’d have gone 12x20ft rather than 15ft circular if I’d started at this house. If/when I replace it I’ll do that.
One thing I’ve discovered is that it’s worth having a load of new O-rings for the pipe connections. Fortunately only a couple were leaky and I had just enough new O-rings to replace them but I’ll plan ahead next season.
Forgot to add: I treated myself to a new solar cover. I’d forgotten that there was a link in this thread but I’ve found one cheaper at £139 delivered for 15ft diameter: https://poolstore.co.uk/product/summer-covers/supe...
It doesn’t have the silver layer of the previous one linked (£194) but is a massive step up from the bubble wrap in quality.
One thing I’ve discovered is that it’s worth having a load of new O-rings for the pipe connections. Fortunately only a couple were leaky and I had just enough new O-rings to replace them but I’ll plan ahead next season.
Forgot to add: I treated myself to a new solar cover. I’d forgotten that there was a link in this thread but I’ve found one cheaper at £139 delivered for 15ft diameter: https://poolstore.co.uk/product/summer-covers/supe...
It doesn’t have the silver layer of the previous one linked (£194) but is a massive step up from the bubble wrap in quality.
Edited by Jobbo on Sunday 19th May 16:35
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