The most important part of preparing the ground for an above ground pool is leveling. Your above ground pool must rest on a completely level surface or it can collapse. Make sure you also remove grass and debris that could puncture the liner. This includes things like vegetation, rocks, twigs, and roots.
The best material to put under an above-ground pool is a level, poured concrete slab, topped by a pool pad to decrease any rough spots. Grass, dirt, or sand are also used as foundations though they may be slightly unstable and shift.
Mason sand is probably the most common type of above-ground pool base material. Mason sand is also easy to install and is a softer material, making the pool bottom soft on your feet. What's more is that it effectively protects the pool liner from stones or sharp objects.
Add Your Start-Up Chemicals
Add 2lbs of granular shock or 2 gallons of liquid shock per 10,000 gallon of pool water. We recommend shocking the pool before balancing it because if you shock it after it can throw off the balance and you have to balance again. Also add 1 gallon of algaecide.
Step 2 - Add Stain & Scale and Clarifier: Before you shock the pool, which can disrupt other pool start up chemicals, add a Stain & Scale chemical to prevent staining by keeping minerals and metals locked tightly in solution.
You never want to install your above ground pool on your natural ground. Rocks, twigs, and other debris can tear your liner over time. Sand helps level your pool, add cushion, and even acts as a weed barrier so plants don't grow into or puncture your liner.
Either River Jacks, Brown Landscape Stone, or Pure Red Landscape Stone is a necessity for around an above ground pool.
Installing an above-ground pool on a natural grass lawn is not a good idea, particularly if you plan on taking down the pool for part of the year. There are several reasons why natural grass and above-ground pools do not mix well, but one of the most important is that the pool is going to kill the grass.
Although there is little you can do to prevent the grass underneath an above-ground swimming pool from dying, it is possible to reduce the amount of odor the decomposing grass gives off by placing sand across the area where you intend to set up the pool.
It is commonly recommended by above ground pool manufacturers to have a 2" sand base inside the pool, under the liner. This will help protect your liner, and provide a soft floor that provides comfort while walking in your pool. Always use masonry sand, which is a washed sand, free of rocks and debris.
Mason sand, sometimes called mortar sand, can normally be found at any sand/gravel yard or masonry supply yard. It is usually measured in yards. It is very fine and should not contain any rocks or pebbles. This will create a very smooth bottom and is the most popular method to use when installing an above ground pool.
Most above ground pools are not designed to be buried
The entire structural makeup of an AG pool exists so you can enjoy a lovely pool that sits on top of your lawn. Trying to bury one is a bit like trying to drive a car on water. It's not designed for that purpose, so you're always going to have problems.
The typical vinyl liner above ground pool is actually designed to be installed directly onto the ground without any added protection for the pool liner. This is perfectly acceptable if the ground is prepared in a way that will prevent damage from occurring to the vinyl pool liner.
Which prompts the question: Is it OK to put an above-ground pool in the ground? The answer is yes, you can.
1) What is the difference between chlorine and shock? Do I need to use both? Chlorine is a sanitizer, and (unless you use Baquacil products) is necessary for maintaining a clear and healthy pool. Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly.
Shocking is crucial for removing any pathogens in the water and making a pool safe for swimming, but it involves using some heavy-duty chemicals, including chlorine. Going in too soon after a pool's been shocked can potentially cause skin, eye, and even lung problems.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline, with a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity.