This is our second summer using our 18 foot Intex Easy Set Pool and we LOVE it! I've read several negative reviews regarding Easy Set Pools, and thought I'd try and give my two cents on the matter.

As stated, we bought the 18 foot Intex Easy Set Pool two years ago. It was bought at WalMart for $480.00. Prior to setting up the pool, we had a couple of loads of sand brought in and leveled and prepared the site where we wanted the pool. This pool holds approximately 6000 gallons of water, that we had buy and have trucked in, so we wanted the pool site to be as good as possible.

The package of the pool contained a set up video, a ground cloth/tarp for under the pool, the pool itself, a cover for the pool, a skimmer with a vacuum attachment, a pump/filter system and a ladder. We watched the instructional video which was very informative, and read the directions and set to work setting up the pool.

It's very important that your ground is level and your pool bottom is stretched and even around all sides. This can be a very hard task to accomplish and took over an hour for us to get right after first laying out the pool. If it's not level, the pool will sag on the low side or sag because of wrinkles in the bottom of the pool not allowing the sides to expand properly.

Once we got the pool layed out, the water was delivered. Some people might think that paying for the water is an unneeded expense, but since we have a crock well for the house, we couldn't use our own water. We've paid $175 each year for the water, which is another reason we like to make sure it's set up right before we fill it, so we don't waste or lose the water we pay for. Plus, the water we have delivered is chlorinated city water, which is more stable than well water and doesn't need as much treatment.

After the pool is full, we shock it, add algaecide, and place a three inch chlorine puck in a floater. The first year that we had the pool, we waited two weeks before the water was warm enough to swim in it. Early this spring, we bought a solar cover to heat the pool quicker from a pool store in town. Intex does aftermarket solar covers for Easy Set Pools, but there are hard to find here, so we just bought one from the pool store.

Maintanence is fairly easy with the Easy Set Pool. We check the water for chlorine and Ph once a week and add algecide once a week as well. We've never had a problem with algae or Ph since we've owned this pool. You also need to skim the surface of the pool to remove bugs/leaves, etc fairly frequently, and we also need to vacuum with the included vacuum attachment on occasion because the kids get sand in the pool sometimes.

At the end of the season, since we live in Michigan, we have to tear down the pool and store it inside for the winter. There is a drain plug on the underside of the pool that you can attach a hose to, to direct where you'd like the pool to drain. After all the water is drained out, we use a shop vac to suck up any leftover water to make sure it's completely dry before storage to prevent any mold or mildew growing over the winter. I've noticed that under some of the seams and in some of the small wrinkles, there has been a bit of green algae, so we use Chlorox Clean Up to clean those areas and dry it really good. After the pool is cleaned and dried completely, we fold it up and put it in the original box along with the pump, filter and hoses. Then we store it in the house in the basement so that vinyl doesn't freeze and become brittle.

I know it seems like an awful lot of work for an "Easy Set" Pool, but between the cost of the pool itself, and the cost of the water, the work is all protecting our investment.

Also, a lot of rain, or a kid hanging on the side of the pool WILL empty it. We've had to drain a few inches off the pool several times because rainwater will overflow it and the blow up top of the pool can't take the weight of too much water.

All in all we are VERY satisified with our Intex Easy Set Pool, and I totally recommend them to anyone that is looking for a good sized/good priced pool for their family. They're a lot of work, but well worth it for the enjoyment we've gotten out of it.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 480.00
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: Whole Family