The very moment summer arrives, toy stores across the metro are already lined up with water inflatables. Big pools, small pools, floaters of all designs are displayed by the entrance, calling out to shoppers to buy them to beat the summer heat.
Falling for the Trap
We fell for it last year. It was our first summer out of the condo so we needed a way to let the kids cool off. We got this Intex Easy Set Above-Ground Pool, which was on sale. Last I checked, it’s still on sale this summer. 😛
As the name implies, it is very easy to set up. You just have to inflate the top ring and add water. The water will make the pool rise. It does take a really long time to fill up though, what with 600+ gallons of water!
The Catch
It was so easy to fall for the sale and easy-to-setup trap. The catch however, was maintaining the water.
With no way of maintenance, it was only a matter of days before the water started getting cloudy, dirty, and smelly. We had to change the water every few days to keep it swimmable. It was a big waste of water (although we did use it to water the plants and flush the toilet) and a big hassle to keep changing that much water so we just kept it at a low level.
That was last summer.
This summer, I knew we had to do it differently.
We invested in this Intex Krystal Clear Filter Pump (P4500), which costs way more than the pool itself by the way. Huhuhu! We got this from the same store where we got the inflatable pool. It’s 110 volts but good thing a transformer was included.
To set it up, it’s just a matter of connecting the hose to the holes of the pool. The idea is that it gets the water from the pool, filters it through the machine and pours it back to the pool. There is a filter cartridge inside that can be replaced. I just get it out once in a while though to clean and brush it. I run the pump a couple of hours a day when the kids are not using the pool.
Having a filter is not enough though, I knew I needed some sort of chlorine to keep it free from bacteria. I had no idea where to get them. Good thing I found Ionix Industrial Sales online and they were able to help. I got a test kit (P650) and a kilo of Powder Chlorine (P200) from them.
As per their instruction, I needed to put just 1 teaspoon of powder chlorine everyday to maintain my 600 gallons of water. It’s important to note that granular chlorine must be added into a pail of water and not water into dry granular chlorine.
It’s been almost a month since we’ve started maintaining pool water and I’m happy to report that it’s still good to swim and play in.
Steps for pool maintenance:
- Regularly test chlorine level with test kit (free chlorine must be between 1.0 to 3.0 ppm to kill harmful germs and algae)
- Dilute correct amount of powder/granular chlorine in a pail of water and then pour it into the pool
- Run the filter pump everyday
- Scrub the pool liner regularly
- Catch floating debris with a net (I use a kitchen strainer)
Shock Dose
- To break down chloramines and organic pollution or presence of algae in the pool, one may need to shock the pool. The dosage for this kind of pool is 1.5 tablespoons. It’s the same process as adding chlorine but at a higher dosage.
- Shock during the evening so that there is no chance of any chlorine-based shock being destroyed by the sun. Plus, one needs to wait 8 hours to swim after shocking with a chlorine-based shock.
- I haven’t tried shocking yet though. I’ll let you know when I do.
we got the same pool! my only problem with it is keeping it upright. water has spilled over so many times cause our ground isnt level. thinking of getting the non inflatable version 🙂
Prior to moving into our condo, we used to buy pools for our kids every summer. That’s another problem, they’re usually okay for one summer. By the next summer, the pool already has holes after a year of storage. It sucks. But thanks for sharing this!
This is so smart. Because these pools always get dirty, you have to maintain them. It’s a lot of work to do it by yourself. This system helps out and keeps the children healthy and clean in their pool!
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Good post. It never occured to me that you need to have a way to filter the water, especially when you have a sizeable pool. Otherwise, it does take time to fill it up, and it costs money.
The filter is a expensive but knowing you get to save gallons of water is the good thing about it. My nephew likes being in a tub. Since he’s the only small kid in the house, i think a tub and batsa will do for us now. Hahaha. Tipid mode.
How timely! My dad just bought my son an inflatable pool, but smaller. We live in a penthouse unit and plac
How timely! My dad just bought one for my son. Smaller though. But we can’t keep the water so we need to change everytime. We live in a penthouse unit and placed the pool in the deck which is accessible to all. It attracts the kids from lower floors. We’re not comfy with the thought that someone else might be using it without our knowledge. This would have been great for us.
Akala siguro ng neighbors common pool hehehe.
I never had a pool like this because the village I lived in had its own swimming pool. I will share this tip with my friends though. Adding chlorine does keep the pool clean for a few days. thanks for sharing 😉
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We have this kind of pool also and the boys really love staying there even for hours. One time they told me they will just go for swim and we have visitors that time and they thought we have a pool. Ihihi.
Do you also maintain it the same way?
No. We change water every use as the boys would go in and out and the water would always end up dirty. They dont mind changing water as they play with the hose. 🙂
Cool! hahahaha. didn’t know this thing exist. Growing up, I was just fascinated with inflatable pool and didn’t care with how clean is the water. lol. Must be very fun for your kids. 🙂
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We never had an inflatable pool since there is no enough space in our home back in the Philippines. But one of my colleague bought a very big pool just last year for his kids and had it sent through air freight. Will surely let him see this post to give him an idea on how to maintain it. He’ll be glad to read this helpful tip. ??
I didn’t know that there’s a way to filter the water. I wanted to buy a similar one since my son lives swimming. Good to know that there’s a way to save water 🙂
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Wow galing! I had no idea meron pala filter and chlorine kit for these kinds of pools. Much more practical than throwing water away daily.
This is such a good way to conserving water while letting your kids have fun at the same time! I love that there is a way now to maintain ground pool water. At least you don’t have to change the water everyday. 🙂
Wow complete set! We only own a small inflatable pool for the kids for easy maintenance and tipid sa tubig hehehe
It seems worth it to invest in the filter. I wonder though if it takes up alot of electricity to keep it running? I wish we could have a pool like this. We live in a condo and there’s no space for us to set one up. So we have to go to mini resorts in our area to enjoy some swimming.
Aww.. there’s a pool at the condo where we used to stay. I actually miss it there because we can just go up and use it without worrying about cleaning the water. Haha
we have such products here in India too but, you only have an insight.We do not have very many public pools available so these plastic tanks fill the need.Thanks for sharing this insight.
I didn’t know that inflatable pool comes with filter too. It’s really like you own a mini pool. Amazing. This is surely one of the best solution in beating the heat!
Great post! We’re thinking of buying Intex Inflatable too because it was on sale. Thanks for sharing!!
We deliberately didn’t take out the rubber pool this year kasi mahirap maglinis. Thanks for these tips — they sound easier than our usual cleaning regimen!
How do you do it with yours?
My pamangkins also have this kind of pool and yeah, cleaning it is such a hassle! I haven’t heard about this filter but it’s a good thing you’ve discovered it. Will definitely make using inflatables easier. 🙂
This is a great idea. The tip is very helpful. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I don’t see myself buying a filter anytime soon, especially with that amount. The pool itself is expensive already haha! But I guess if it’ll save you water in the long run, it might be a good investment.
Awww I wanted to buy an inflatable pool too. Unfortunately for us, our apartment now no longer has a yard. Swimming pools are so much fun to have but also kinda tedious to maintain.
Your boys looks like they are having a blast 🙂 I wanted to buy a pool too, though a smaller one just to get buy during the summer. Kaso hindi na natuloy. Hahaha. Great tips 🙂
Good text! I’ve learned a lot about pool chemicals. Thank you!
Its very much necessary to make proper planing for your pool’s cleaning. Your post is good for swimming pool maintenance. I really found good point to keep pool and its water clean. Thank you for giving these tips and for more info you provided. Nate
Best tutorial for maintaining a pool filter… Thanks for sharing with us… I think this these steps will be beneficial for maintaining a pool filter…
I fall love into these beautiful pools. I want to build it in my own garden. Though it required a lot of labor and tools. This article inspires me a lot.
Keep up the good posting, Cheryl.
Thanks
What will be the initial cost of making this type of beautiful pool? Will it be durable enough?
However, I have enjoyed your article. I wanna build this in my home garden.
Keep up the good posting, Cheryl.
Thanks
You did a great way to maintain your pool and the area around the deck. It is always wise to keep every area safe.
I have been checking out a few of your stories and i can state pretty good stuff. I will definitely bookmark your blog.
Thanks, @Cheryl for sharing these tips.
Thanks for sharing, we also recently got a new above ground pool and our kids are loving it.
Also read:
Above Ground pool cleaning tips