Paddling Pool With Filter?

[bushtailadventures]

After the drought issues last year I thought about getting a paddling pool with a filter that could be left up for the summer, but I don't have a clue how you actually look after it.

Do I need chlorine too? How long do I run the filter for, presumably not 24 hours a day? Should I get a cover as well?

If you have this set up and can pass on any tips before I waste more money I would be very grateful.

Yep! Get an Intex one with a pump and filter. Be aware that unless you get a heater that links into the system it is pretty cold.

All you need is thin bleach from asda. Sodium hypochlorite is swimming pool chemical. That is thin bleach. Be careful with your clothes.

You need to get testing strips to test for chlorine in the water. You are aiming for around 3, minimum 1. Max 5.
A full day of kids splashing around, sun cream etc, uv from the sun takes the chlorine from 3 to 1. Then you need to top up in the evening with more thin bleach. Try 100mls. Give it a couple of hours on the pump filtering through then test again. If the chlorine isn't at 3 then repeat.

So yes it's a faff, but it's so brilliant!

100pcs Hot Tub Test Strips, 6 in 1 Test Strips for Pool/Spa/Hot Tub Testing PH/Total Chlorine/Free Chlorine/Total Alkalinity/Cyanuric Acid/Total Hardness, Easy to Read amzn.eu/d/bmxFiNE

These are the testing strips

If you just use the tabs that float around in the pool then your water will go green.

Why will the tabs make the water go green? Isn't it the same stuff?

They don't make the water go green sorry. But as they are not as strong so they don't kill the bacteria in the water. So it goes green.

If you had a small paddling pool and used about 3 tabs in the float, and keep it in the pool when the kids are not in it, and topping up the tabs as they dissolve you may be ok. But everyone I've seen do that just waste the water as it goes manky, they have to empty out, clean and start again.