Intex Easy Set 15-Foot-by-42-Inch Round Pool Set Review

This is not really a swimming pool, but an overgrown splash pool.But, if you have young kids, hot weather, and don't have many, many thousands of dollars laying around to invest in a real swimming pool, It seems like a promisingly cool toy to have; however, with all the maintenance this thing has been, I'm still waiting for the "fun" part to kick in...
Can I give it zero stars for "how much trouble is this toy?"
Mine is the 15' diameter by (nominal) 42" depth, and came in a set with ladder, cover, ground cloth, pump with two filter cartridges, and skimmer/vacuum set.
THE BAD:
WARNING 1:You have read this warning in other reviews, but it cannot be repeated often enough...YOU MUST HAVE FIRM, LEVEL GROUND.We have operated this toy for only two months now, and have had to drain, dig and/or backfill the ground, and refill three times already.With just two or three inches "off level" across the 15' width of the toy, this large "bag of water" slowly, inevitably, "crept" in the direction of the low spot, eventually sagging and spilling over on that side.You can simulate the effect by filling a zip-lock bag with water, carefully setting on a tray, then slowly tilting the tray.Be warned!!!
WARNING 2:The filter pump is a joke.It has NO POWER.You could run it 24/7, but you will STILL be vacuuming 3 TIMES DAILY to pick up the grass, soil and other detritus from the bottom, and skimming CONSTANTLY.When you do vacuum, you will have to stop 5 or 6 times per session to dismantle the hosing and clean out all the gunk from the "pinch points" that seem specifically designed to clog up.Each time you undo the hoses, half the gunk you just vaccumed will spew back into the water.Also, you'd think they could put an extra foot or two on the vacuum hose, so that you could actually REACH the opposite side of the toy (the floor on that side is pretty much permanantly dirty).Finally, you'd better pray you got all the creases and folds out when you set up, or else your vacuuming will be quite frustrating.
WARNING 3:Use a tarp of some kind as a ground cloth, and consider it disposable.We set this up on our lawn...and after only about one week we had to drain and refill (see above).In that short time, the area under the tarp became unspeakably filthy, slimy, smelly...something like sewage sludge.You do NOT want such gunk touching the bottom of the pool itself, nor do you want to try to recycle the tarp.Get a new tarp each time you re-set the pool.Also, use some kind of stakes (like those green ones for landscape fabric) to hold down your tarp...it makes unfurling and spreading out the toy much easier!
WARNING 4:As others have stated, this toy comes with NO chemicals or test kit items.These are, of course, essential.How much would it have cost for them to throw in a few test strips, a rip-top packet of algaecide and a small bag of stabilized chlorine shock, just to get the newbie started?
THE GOOD:
DURABILITY:This toy has already endured three take-down/set-ups, and almost constant use by up to six kids at a time...not to mention two dogs who want to get at that previously mentioned smelly area underneath by pawing at the ground right where it meets the vinyl, AND those same kids using the filled pool as a backstop for hardball pitching practice...without bursting a seam.I am mightily impressed by this, as I frankly didn't expect this contraption to hold water in the first place.
EDUCATIONAL:This toy has really helped boost my childrens' confidence in the water.Heck, they've even had some fun...of course, they don't have to maintain the thing...
IN SUMMARY:
Your kids will love this toy and will love you for buying it.You will love it for the first week or two, but will quickly grow to hate the sight of the thing (unless you really like to do extra, unrewarding work around the house on a daily basis using inadequate tools...but hey, who doesn't!).

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Product Description:
A great deal! Complete with filter pump, ground cloth, pool cover, ladder, maintenance kit, surface skimmer, and video. Ready for water in 10 minutes! Select your location, inflate the top ring, and the Easy SetTM pool rises while you fill it with water. Super tough sidewalls are made with 2 outer layers of PVC laminated to an inner layer of polyester mesh for extra strength and durability.

Advisory: Pool owners may need to comply with local or state laws relating to childproof fencing, safety barriers, lighting, and other safety requirements. Customers should contact their local building code enforcement office for further details.

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