temporary swimming pools

Author
Discussion

markh1

Original Poster:

2,846 posts

216 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
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As we have finally had 2 good days of sunshine I am now (possibly very foolishly) thinking of getting one of those collapsable pools.

There seem to be loads on the internet at various prices. Has anyone got an recommendations?

Size wize it does not matter but something that was possible to maybe actually swim in would be nice. Price wise I don't think I want to spend more than 500 quid if that's possible.

Adenauer

18,693 posts

243 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
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Mark, you do know that this time next year it'll be a green mouldy covered mess in your garden don't you?

markh1

Original Poster:

2,846 posts

216 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
quotequote all
I am not planning to leave it up over the winter but I know what you mean.

bull996

1,442 posts

216 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
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Costco have a huge (10 meter diameter?)pool, with pump, filter, steps, the LOT for £200.

Is a bargain!

Adenauer

18,693 posts

243 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
quotequote all
Just my experience of them that's all, fill your boots thumbup

But you'll regret it whistle

markh1

Original Poster:

2,846 posts

216 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
quotequote all
bull996 said:
Costco have a huge (10 meter diameter?)pool, with pump, filter, steps, the LOT for £200.

Is a bargain!
Unfortunately I don't have a trade card. But I will look into whether I qualify for one or not.

JonRB

76,078 posts

279 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
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bull996 said:
Costco have a huge (10 meter diameter?)pool, with pump, filter, steps, the LOT for £200.
Yup. The Costco one is brilliant. Ours lasted 4 seasons before it started to go a bit rusty, and only then because I left it out all year for 2 of them. It would have lasted even longer if I had treated and painted the rust, but we decided to move it on instead.

There is no reason for it to go green and mouldy, provided you stay on top of treatment with chlorine (or equivalent) and it's quite easy. You do a dip test with a strip and then put in the chemicals that are indicated by the strip and its associated chart.

One word of caution - even on a hot summer's day the water will be cold. I think the Costco one comes with a heater now, but even running it all night (and a cost of God know's how much electricity) it will only raise the temperature by a few degrees. So the water will still be cold.

Adenauer

18,693 posts

243 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
quotequote all
Jon, I didn't mean for the water to go green and moldy, but rather the outside if the pool itself wink

I guess it doesn't if you maintain it properly though?

markh1

Original Poster:

2,846 posts

216 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
quotequote all
Just rung costco and I am eligible. Is the costco one big enough to swim in? I can't find any info on the net.

JonRB

76,078 posts

279 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
quotequote all
markh1 said:
Just rung costco and I am eligible. Is the costco one big enough to swim in? I can't find any info on the net.
Well, it's not Olympic length or anything. But 20' is enough for a couple of strokes, I guess. It's deep enough that you are buoyant, but like in the shallow end of the swimming pool.

markh1

Original Poster:

2,846 posts

216 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
quotequote all
20 foot sounds fine, it's just really to have a laugh in when I have friends over for a BBQ and occaisonaly when I get home after work on a hot day.

FamilyGuy

850 posts

197 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
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I really fancy one of these for the children (and maybe me & the Mrs after they're safely in bed...) but as Jon said - even a whole night of running a 3Kw heater doesn't up the temp to anything more than a frost-immune 4 year-old can deal with. Does anyone know of somewhere that sells a thermal cover & surround for them? In these "green" times it should be a seller!

JonRB

76,078 posts

279 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
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Any swimming pool shop will sell you what looks like heavy-duty bubble-wrap but is actually a thermal cover. They'll even sell you a round one in the correct diameter for your pool.

I should point out that we had one of these and the 3kW heater *still* only raises the temperature by a few degrees overnight.

markh1

Original Poster:

2,846 posts

216 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
quotequote all
I won't bother heating it but the pool will recieve sun all day long so I am hoping that it will heat over the day and then some bubble wrap over the top (thermal cover) will keep some heat in. I am not bothered about it being that warm tbh.

Edited to add;

How big are these things when you buy them? Could you get one in the back of a landcruiser?

Edited by markh1 on Tuesday 26th May 13:34

JonRB

76,078 posts

279 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
quotequote all
markh1 said:
How big are these things when you buy them? Could you get one in the back of a landcruiser?
Oh yes. Easily.

Martial Arts Man

6,629 posts

193 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
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Is it possible to fit any other aftermarket device to these pools to heat them up effectively?


JonRB

76,078 posts

279 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
quotequote all
Martial Arts Man said:
Is it possible to fit any other aftermarket device to these pools to heat them up effectively?
A 3kW heater is about your max on a domestic 13A supply (I x V = W, 13 x 240 = 3120) and I'm pretty sure you can't put them in series.

After that you're getting into dedicated high amp power cables direct from your main junction box (like your shower and cooker have) and expensive heaters, and at that point you've pretty much moved beyond the price point that these 'splasher pools' (as they're known) inhabit and are getting into the serious money of a 'proper' pool.

Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 26th May 13:54

spikeyhead

17,957 posts

204 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
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be easier to rig up a big old radiator painted matt black to a small pump.

HUW JONES

1,993 posts

210 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
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Costco pool is excellent value..and you don't need to be "trade".

tenohfive

6,276 posts

189 months

Tuesday 26th May 2009
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I've not seen one of these pools so I may be talking through my bottom, but if you were to paint the inside and outside black whats the chances of that affecting the water temperature on a sunny day?