Intex Pools-Keeping Them Clear

[Jalva22]

For those of you with the intex easy-set pools, we have one that is a 4,400 gallon pool. It has a decent filter pump, the 1,000/gallon per hour variety that really seems to move the water through it.

My question is, are any of you able to keep the water clear in your small pools for any length of time? We tried chlorine last year, with little success, and moved to the Pristine Blue system this year. We run the pump more than the recommended daily amount of time, but the water still seems to be cloudy almost all the time. I'm considering just draining the pool and starting over, but not until I can find somebody who can tell me about a maintenance system they use that is effective.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

 

[mommytoone]

Mine is one of those with the inflatable ring. It is 12X36 and we use a floating duck, that holds the chlorine tablets. I just fill it up and let it work, when it's empty I fill it up again. It is really clear, we also let the filter run all the time. Some people turn it off and only use it after they swim. Hope that helps. My mom had a pool and they used Bromine sp? tablets, that seem to work good for her size pool.

 

[DisneyDizzy]

We got a test kit and found out ours was cloudy when the PH level was off. We got some stuff to stabilize it and it has been clear since. We have the kind with the poles instead of the inflatable ring. We also just use the chlorine tablets in a floater and run the pump about 10 hours a day on a timer. It works great.

Also, I can't believe how much use we have gotten out of that thing!! I kind of thought it would be like a big kiddie pool but we all get in it. We are upgrading next year!

 

[love3monsters]

We have had success with keeping the ph in range, liquid chlorine and running the pump often. We love ours too!

 

[Dizneydaz]

I too have an Intex pool. Mine is 15' diamater, 3.5 tall. This is the second year for our pool Last year I kept the same water in if from April to October. This year we set it up in April as well, but didn't start swimming in it until May. I don't use a chlorine system at all. My DSis has had a jacuzzi for 7 years now and they use the Baqua system which is a chlorine free methed. She loves it so we decided to use it on our pool.

Last year I spent less than $75 on supplies and the pool worked really well. Only had it green up once but that was my fault, when it got realy hot I didn't take of the solar cover and it reached over 104 on the top! I was able to get rid of the algae by running a second pump (from a previous pool) and it got rid of it.

This year, I've had a little more trouble but I'll be honest, I haven't been running the pump everyday. And we've had more swimmers in the pool than last year. The neighbors have been coming over about once a week for a swim. I noticed an increase in, how should I say this... there's been more stuff floating on the top-hair, skin, hair product, etc. When I'm in the pool I'm meticiulous about skimming out debris. Even with the cover on all the time, we still get bugs, leaves, etc. in the pool.

I took my water to be tested yesterday since it was cloudy. (This is the first test I've done all year! ) I was low on Shock, low on calcium (this is why it's cloudy), and needed Aglacide (sp?). I treated the pool this a.m. and added the second pump (and then realized that I've had the smaller pump on all summer-need to switch them). The pool is looking cleaner and there is less algae. I've been pushing the algae and stuff around on the bottom to get it to the top so the filters will pick it up.

The main problem with these pools is the filter system just isn't that good. For my pool, it looks like adding the calcium stuff has made it clearer. The Shock and Algacide should take care of the slight green issue. I just need to run the pump everyday, as required.

I really like the Baqua system (there are also other brands). I only have to treat the pool about once a month. There's no chlorine to burn the eyes and bleach the hair. And I don't have to test it as often as the chlorine system recommended. (once a day and after every swim session).

I also love our solar pool cover. We bought it last year for about $50. It looks like blue bubble wrap. The pool stays warm and can be as much as 10 degrees over the outside air. Plus it doesn't lose the heat at night. During the heat of the summer I have to take it off during the day as the pool gets too hot. It can be well over 100 on top in August/Sept.

 

[musicmama]

We just "upgraded" our filter pump for our 18' x 48" round (metal frame) Intex. The dealer that I purchased the pump from said that Intex has been shipping pumps that are really too small in volume for the last couple of years. Ours was a larger size but broke this year because DH didn't close up right. We had a 1500gph pump, went for the 2500 gph pump at the dealer's suggestion and after reading several different message boards and support forum.

The larger pump is definitely making a difference, plus the recommendation to run it fewer hours. Chemical balance is still a little tricky because it took so long to get the pool opened this year, but seems to be better.

 

[Ilovemylife]

We have the one with the inflatable ring (15 foot by 42 inches) and our pump runs 24/7.

We've never had trouble with our water clouding up. DH puts bleach in about once a week (probably about 2 cups total) and we've only shocked it once this summer.

 

[AprilTwins]

We also have the pool with the inflatable ring. I check the chlorine and ph daily. This year we started using the chlorine tablets. I put 3-4 tablets directly into the basket in the filter and let the filter run 3-4 hours. I add ph as needed and add about 2 tablespoons of algaecide a week. Also covering the pool every night has made a big difference.

Hope this helps

 

[d1gitman]

we have an 18'x4' round intex. at the beginning of the season i go to the local pool store to get the water tested, buy the chemicals needed based on the results. i test the water at home and follow the instructions. about 1x per month i get the water tested at the store and follow their instructions. water stays crystal clear. chlorine alone does not provide clear water. you have to provide the various pool chemicals based on your individual test results. getting the water tested at the pool store is free and quick.

however, we have a wonderful town pool complex here and did not set up our intex this year. i think i am done with the pool at home when our town pool is 1 mi. away. $45 annual per person for pool passes is a bargain compared to setting up the intex, filling and paying for the water, buying chemicals, maintaining the water, etc...

 

[semo233]

We got a test kit and found out ours was cloudy when the PH level was off. We got some stuff to stabilize it and it has been clear since. We have the kind with the poles instead of the inflatable ring. We also just use the chlorine tablets in a floater and run the pump about 10 hours a day on a timer. It works great.

Also, I can't believe how much use we have gotten out of that thing!! I kind of thought it would be like a big kiddie pool but we all get in it. We are upgrading next year!

YUP!
The two things to keep an eye on are the PH and the cholorine levels. Keep these two in check and you should have no problem

We upgraded this summer....to an inground pool!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

The cheapest way to rid the "cloudies" away. Either algacide and or old fashioned boxes of baking soda. One a night on the baking soda and run for a few hours afterwards. Make sure you have a kit to test the balance of the chemicals. On hot days your chemicals burn away at twice the speed. Have someone in the pool every day even if it is to move the water around. Good Luck, Diane

 

[abeyst]

We had an Intek pool for 2 years, but didnt' put it up this year. It was the inflatable ring kind, 18' I think? We had such a hard time keeping it clear and we were always running the pump and buying new pump filters. It was crazy how much it cost for all those filters!! This year I said no way.

Funny that some of you mentioned that the pump was too small - that's what we thought and everyone said going bigger would create too much force - guess I wasn't reading the right support forums! Oh I know what it was, we wanted a pump without and filter to replace, and they said we'd have to get a sand filter which was too big for our pool.

Maybe I'll give it a try next summer... It's probably cheaper to run the pool and swim all day than to run the a/c. Hmmm, I might have to do a cost comparison.

 

[Jaycey'smom]

When we first bought our home the inground pool was green and I went to poolforums.com and poolsolutions.com and they helped alot. My pool is crystal clear now so these sites might help.

 

[mommytoone]

We have the one with the inflatable ring (15 foot by 42 inches) and our pump runs 24/7.

We've never had trouble with our water clouding up. DH puts bleach in about once a week (probably about 2 cups total) and we've only shocked it once this summer.

Why do you put bleach in it? And when do you do it after swimming, at night, I would assme? Mine is really clear but I have to clean my filter at least 1 time a week.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Alright, I know this is an old thread, but I need help! We have the intex pool with the inflatable ring and this is year number 2 of putting it up. It all rose perfectly and all was good. We finished filling and set up on Sunday. Starting Wednesday it started to lower and get fatter on the bottom. Now I don't know what could be causing this?

There is no water leaking anywhere, the ground is dry all around it.

Thank you!!!