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Anybody have one of those big blue inflatable pools?

http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Easy-Set-Inflatable-Pool/dp/B000O9NULI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1246451800&sr=1-7

Im kicking around the idea of getting one of these. anybody have any experiences with them pro or con?

I know it'll trash a circle of my back yard's grass, but trust me, Ive got a couple big dogs, and my back yard is pretty much a lost cause anyway - Ive given in to the fact that I need to work on keeping he front yard pretty and just keep the back yard mowed and picked up, and that's about all I can hope for any more...

But as far as the pool goes - they look pretty straight forward. anyone have any advice?

created by billy on Jul 01, 2009 at 07:44:21 am     Comments: 10

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Comments ... #

I don;t have one, but I did...and YES, I have some VERY IMPORTANT advice to offer....

MAKE SURE THE GROUND WHERE YOU PLACE THE POOL IS PERFECTLY LEVEL!!!

I "thought" the center of my backyard was nearly damn near level. Actually, it damned near is. However, with these pools, "close" to level is not good enough. When you fill it, if it's not level, well, trust me, it's an ugly sight and the sidewalls give out, blah blah blah. So, I emptied it, removed the sod, brought in some sand, graded it to perfectly level and enjoyed it for 2 years. They're fun and durable and hold up well and fairly inexpensive for the enjoyment and use you get out of it.
Did I mention to make sure the ground is LEVEL!!????

posted by angryconsumer on Jul 01, 2009 at 09:06:45 am     #



We currently have one and I have have to agree with AC. Make sure the ground if very level. Other than that I have had no problems with it. We have a smaller one though and the filter that came with it sucked, so we bought a filter that goes with one of the bigger ones. Works perfect now.

The only con is it is a PITA to roll up at the end of the season. Oh and if ya get one keep the birds off the inflatable ring because they will put holes in it.

posted by lfrost2125 on Jul 01, 2009 at 09:55:28 am     #



I guess I've had better luck with mine. It is on year 3 and other than one patch on ring, I've had no problems. My yard is not perfectly level, but if you fill it up to the ring and not over the bottom of the ring, it should be fine.

I have replaced the filter for a larger one, but you can get by with a smaller one if and only if, you keep your chlorine level high. By high, I mean buy the liquid shock(chlorine)available everywhere, and put about 1/2 gallon a day in it.
If it starts to turn green, increase to one gallon per day and clean filter at least once a day.

I love my "balloon pool". I've had 2 blow up pools for a total of 5 years and they are worth the money.
Good luck

posted by hockeyfan on Jul 01, 2009 at 10:45:29 am     #



the dogs can put holes in it, too, it happened to my next door neighbor. Kids were playing with the dog, them inside the pool, him outside, and he got excited (no, really?), jumped up on the side and his claws ripped a gash in the top ring. sad to see it go, we used to cool off at night and they never got another one before they moved out.

posted by nana on Jul 01, 2009 at 10:47:44 am     #



sorry, but I can't help but have a negative connotation with these. Always seem to eventually be unkept, damaged, mosquito farms. Eyesore to the neighborhood.

posted by weakskd on Jul 01, 2009 at 10:55:53 am     #



must be where you live then because 5 of my neighbors in a row have one. All are upkept, clean, and no mosquito farms.

posted by lfrost2125 on Jul 01, 2009 at 11:44:58 am     #



We took ours down because the grand kids were not coming nearly as often. As for appearance, I have one of the nicest and well manicured yards in the city of Toledo, front back and sides... (Yes, I would be bragging).
Was no eyesore here at all. No damage, nothing unkept, meticulously trimmed around it.
A beautiful built in pool? Nope, but a good time for the kids for a little bit of $$.

posted by angryconsumer on Jul 01, 2009 at 02:13:32 pm     #



Funny you bring this up...I was driving through a wealthy neighborhood and a lady was trying to chase the geese out of one of these pools. It was funny as heck.

posted by Molsonator on Jul 01, 2009 at 06:43:07 pm     #



Make sure to "shock" the pool as needed. Otherwise it can get cloudy and gross.

posted by Susan on Jul 01, 2009 at 09:30:59 pm     #



I agree with those who have one. We love ours, but as noted above, make sure the ground is level or the pool will look like it's spilling over into a hole, lol.

Our cat also punctured a few holes in the ring, but we got a clear patch from a pool store and it's fine. The pump sucks, but I haven't tried a larger filter, as noted above. Must try that. We put half a bottle of liquid shock in every day, which keeps it clear. Used to have a built in pool years ago at our previous house and really miss it, but short of that, this is great for the price and for cooling off.

posted by renegade on Jul 02, 2009 at 01:23:54 am     #