Q: How much room do you need for a spool?

• <div><p>Spools can come as small as 10 x 6 feet, so they don&rsquo;t take up a lot of room in your yard. You&rsquo;ll want to plan for pool decking, fencing, and other features that may take additional space, but for the most part, a spool&rsquo;s small footprint makes it a great choice when you don&rsquo;t have much yard space to spare.</p></div>

Question 1

Do stock tank pools get too hot?

Accepted Answer

•

No, stock tank pools do not get too hot, even when they are set up in a sunny location. Many stock pools are made with galvanized steel and are designed not to get too hot to touch. When your pool is full of water, it is less likely to get hot. The water might be warmer than it would be in an above-ground pool, but it will not be uncomfortable.

If you have kids and want to be extra cautious about the temperature of the stock tank, you may want to set up an umbrella for shade over the pool area.

Question 2

Can you swim in a spool?

Accepted Answer

•

While spools are much smaller than pools, some clever features still allow you to get your laps in. Some spools include directional jets to create a “current” you can use to swim laps in a smaller space. They also allow you to use your spool as a spa when you’re done swimming.

Question 3

Do I need a GFCI breaker for my pool?

Accepted Answer

•

Most of the time, though there may be some code variations on the local level, a water source like a pool requires a GFCI breaker. These breakers detect electrical leaks of 5 mA or more and trip the breaker. However, the size of the pool and motor type determine the exact GFCI needs. A GFCI outlet with a reset button may be enough for an aboveground pool with a small motor or pump. Consult a pool electrician to determine the appropriate installation and protection measures needed for your pool.

Question 4

How much room do you need for a spool?

Accepted Answer

•

Spools can come as small as 10 x 6 feet, so they don’t take up a lot of room in your yard. You’ll want to plan for pool decking, fencing, and other features that may take additional space, but for the most part, a spool’s small footprint makes it a great choice when you don’t have much yard space to spare.

Question 5

Do I need to shock my pool when I first fill it?

Accepted Answer

•

Yes, you will need to shock your pool with high levels of chlorine or bromine when you first fill it to kill off bacteria and pathogens. You’ll need to wait for the chlorine concentration to come back down to a safe level before swimming. After that, you can test and maintain the chlorine and other levels as normal. The only exception to this is if you get pool water delivered by a professional. In that case, the water might come pretreated, so you might not need to shock it.