KD Pool Setup
1. Select a location that is reasonably level. Your KD aboveground pool should be within 2” of level from one end to the other. Consult your owner’s manual for leveling details.
2. Make sure your site has no sharp objects under the pool. It can be set on dirt, grass, concrete, asphalt etc. If you prefer, you can purchase ½” Styrofoam from a local building supplier to set your pool on. This makes a nice soft bottom and will not allow rocks or stickers to protrude into the pool bottom. We do not recommend sand as it is soft and can shift, causing the pool to go off level and the legs to sink.
3. Lay out the KD pool liner with the skimmer at the lowest area of the site. The pump system will be located at this end of the pool.
4. Install your suction, return, and drain fittings with valves at this time. We recommend that the valves be installed at the pool suction and return fittings.
5. Install your hard parts as directed by your owner’s manual.
6. Once the pool is up you may close the valves and begin filling with water. All soft sided pools will have some wrinkles in the bottom but pulling out at the bottom of the vertical poles before filling will remove some of them. The top of the rectangle pools will look unusual (it leans into itself) until it is full of water. As the water fills, the pool will take shape as the water pushes out on the sides and top of the pool. It is important to pull out on the bottom of the legs as the pool is filling every 15 to 20 minutes keeping the straps tight. Failure to do so can cause damage to the pool.
7. While the pool is filling you should assemble the ladder and pump system and install them in the pool.
Pump System Assembly
The pump system is easy to assemble but here are some basic tips:
1. Place the base in front of you with the rounded side to the right.
2. Place the filter on the left side (squared side) of the base with the outlet facing forward toward you.
3. Attach the filter to the base with the screws provided.
4. Place the pump on the right side (rounded side) of the base with the strainer basket to the front and the motor facing to the rear.
5. Attach pump with screws provided.
6. Attach the white PVC pipe to the top of the pump and to the filter inlet on the back side of the filter. Hand tighten only.
7. Install the pressure gage and air relief valve on the top of the filter. Use tefon tape on the threads.
8. Install the return hose cone on the OUTLET side of the filter. Hand tighten only.
9. Install the hose cone on the front of the pump strainer basket. Hand tighten only.
10. Bolt the timer to the base.
11.Plug the pump cord into the timer. The timer plug will then plug into your electric supply. A GFI Outlet is required. It must be wired to NEC code. Consult an electrician for correct electrical supply.
12. Connect the suction hose from your pool skimmer to the pump strainer basket.
13. Connect the return hose from your pool return to the OUTLET side of the filter.
Installing the Pool Cleaner
1. First attach the pool cleaner head to the lead hose cuff.
2. Add additional hoses that will allow the cleaner to reach the opposite end of the pool.
3. Submerge the pool cleaner head and allow it to fall to the bottom of the pool.
4. Work all the air out of the hose by submerging the hose from the head to the connection end of the hose.
5. Connect the hose to the tee shaped regulator valve with the large blue nut contained in your plumbing kit. Insert the rubber cone on the other end of the regulator valve into the skimmer suction fitting.
6. Adjust the large blue nut to the desired speed.
Startup & Chemical Procedures for KD Pools
1. Fill pool to proper water level and properly attach the pump/filter system to pool.
2. If your pool came with a Nature 2 mineral purifier install it inside the filter as instructed in the nature 2 instructions provided with the unit. You will use the 2 stick with a cone on the end method as opposed to the 4 stick cluster method shown in the directions. We recommend replacing the nature 2 cartridges once each year at the beginning of the swimming season.
3. Open all valves and start up the pump. Open the air relief valve located at the top of the filter tank and bleed out air. Once all air is gone and only water is coming out close the air relief valve.
4. Check and write down the starting filter pressure on the filter gage. This will be your gage as to when to clean the filter. If you have a pool cleaning system install it into the pool now and then note the pressure.
5. Adjust Timer for proper filtration time. We recommend 4-6 hr a day on smaller pools and 6-8 hours a day on larger pools. It is best to run the pump during the day if you want to warm the water and late at night if you want to cool the water.
6. Add Chlorine stabilizer (Cyaneric Acid) to the pool. This will only be necessary at start up or when refilling the pool. This is a chemical bonding agent that bonds chlorine to the water making it more stable in sunlight and warmer water temperatures.
We recommend 6oz per 1000 gallons of water. We recommend broadcasting it directly into the pool water. Spread it evenly around the pool. It may take a couple of days to completely dissolve. If you have left over product, save it for a future use if you need to drain and refill your pool.
Do not add additional stabilizer to the pool unless instructed to do so by a pool professional.
7. Add sodium dichlor chlorine to the pool. We recommend adding ½-1oz per 1000 gallons of water. This should attain a 3 PPM reading on your test kit.
Daily - Weekly Maintenance
Check your Chlorine and Ph levels several times each week. You should maintain between a 1ppm and 3ppm reading on the chlorine and 7.4 to 7.8 reading on the Ph (acid level). If you have a low chlorine reading below 1ppm add ½ -1 oz of sodium dichlor chlorine per 1000 gallons of pool water.
Use only Sodium Dichlor Granular chlorine in your pool. When replacing your supply make sure to check the active ingredient on the label. No matter what brand you buy it should say Sodium Diclor as the active ingredient.
Never Use Tablet Chlorine (Trichlor) as damage to the specilized KD pool liner can occur and will not be covered under warranty. If your Ph rises above 7.8 add small amounts (4-8oz) of muratic pool acid to lower it. Make sure to distribute chemicals evenly around the pool with the filter on. Never mix chemicals together. Always add chemicals to water not water to the chemicals. Consult the directions on the chemical container for additional directions and warnings.
Check and clean your pump basket as often as necessary. This is especially necessary after windstorms or when lots of debris is falling in the pool. The basket is located inside the clear lid attached to your pump on your filter skid pack. Leaves, bugs and other debris can clog this basket. You will need to shut off the pump, close the water supply and return valves before removing the clear lid that exposed the basket.
You should also check your skimmer basket regularly if you are using one. It is located inside the pool skimmer inside the pool. If you are using a pool cleaning system you will most likely not be using a skimmer basket.
You can clean your KD pool with any vinyl cleaner or household cleaner like Comet or Bonami. After clean you can treat the vinyl with 303-vinyl protectant with SPF 40 sunscreen. This will keep the pool persevered and looking good for many years to come. Make sure to keep a rim protector on the pool at all times. It is also advisable to cover the pool when not in use.
Monthly Maintenance
Clean your pool filter at least once each month or when the pressure on the gage rises 5 pounds higher than startup pressure.
You will need to make sure the pump is unplugged and the water supply and return valves are closed. We recommend opening the air relief valve at the top of the tank and removing the drain cap at the bottom of the tank. Allow all water to drain from the tank. Remove the large ring in the middle of the filter tank. Take the top ½ of the tank off the base to expose the filter cartridge. Remove the cartridge and hose it off with a garden hose spray nozzle. If it is really dirty it can be soaked in a 25 % solution of muratic acid and water. After the filter is clean reinstall the cartridge. Inspect and lube the o-ring on the tank lid with a silicone based o-ring lube. We recommend magic lube. Replace the tank lid and make sure it is secure. Reinstall the drain cap. Open the water supply and return valves. Startup the pump. Allow the air to bleed out of the air relief valve then close it. Check for leaks around tank.
Yearly Maintenance
We recommend that your KD pool be drained and refilled each year at the beginning of the season. This will get rid of all the mineral buildups in the water and get you off to a fresh start each year.
We recommend replacing the Nature 2 mineral cartridges at this time. Clean and inspect your filter cartridge for wear. If it is worn replace it. Inspect all support equipment for problems like leaks. If hoses are worn replace them.
After filling your KD pool follow the startup & chemical procedures listed above.
Cloudy Water and Algae If your pool gets hazy, green or has visible algae you will need to shock treat the pool.
Make sure your filter is clean. Adjust the Ph level to between 7.4 and 7.6. Shock the pool with 3 oz of sodium dichlor granular chlorine per 1000 gallons of water. We do not recommend powdered “pool shock” (calcium hypochlorite).
Discontinue swimming until chlorine levels fall below 3ppm on your test kit. Run the filter 24 hours until pool clears up. If you still have problems call us for help. If your KD pool hasn't been drained and refilled in the last 12 months it might be necessary to drain and refill it.
Safety
Remember this is a shallow pool and no diving or jumping from the ladder or rim is recommended, as serious injury or death can result.
Make sure your electrical is safe and is to proper electrical code.
Make sure a GFI is installed and is working correctly on your electrical supply.
Watch your kids around water.
Consult your KD pool owner’s manual for additional safety warnings.