Do I really need to buy the ridiculously over priced "water tubes" to keep this thing in place? Has anyone tried staking it down somehow?
1882042
No I bought the water bricks for cheap, and two packages did the job, I also want to tell you that you can hold the cover in place with empty chemical buckets fill them with water or sand and place around cover, another cheap way to go is buying 12 to 15 cement blocks to hold the cover in place I do not buy water bags they are expensive and don't last.
1882043
It will need something to hold it down. Just know you are buying a thin tarp that is basically useless
1882044
James, I used stakes and bungie (sp?) cords to hold it down. The issue is when you apply tension to the cover by way of the grommets, it lifts the edge of the cover anywhere from an inch to 2 inches (depending upon terrain and how much tension you have on the grommets). This will allow dirt, debris, leaves, etc. to slide under the cover. My issue is leaves so I bought the tubes and they worked great in holding down the edges all the way around. Now, you can use anything you want that has sufficient weight and durability due to weather conditions where you live. The cover and tubes lasted all fall and winter with no issues except one of the grommets pulled loose from the cover. Hope this helps and if you have anymore questions don't hesitate to ask. Jim R.
1882045
I will be staking mine down this weekend and using tie downs. The tube leak and are worthless. Really the dirt defender itself is worthless. All it is is a large tarp. It does not drain the rain or snow as it melts. I will be spending the money for a real lock tight pool cover. I would never recommend either of these products.
1882046
While water tubes work as advertised, they are not very durable for long term use when exposed to sunlight. I'm using tent stakes but only on one side as I have an odd shaped pool. I have to use stones around the other 3 sides. A bit of a pain but it works.
2128122
You will need to get your own tubing, and it will involve trial and error. Wish there were a better solution.
1227789
It's not easy to get it, is it? Without instructions what we did was put the cover on top (after threading the string through the holes) and then tied the string tight so it stayed. I was not happy with the cover and have since tossed it...it sagged in the middle and trapped rainwater that would turn muddy and it was impossible to remove the cover without getting muddy water in the pool. The cover design needs improvement. Good luck.
2066767
If you're looking for water movement, I highly suggest an air pump, air line and air stone. This is over kill for that... if you really want it, make sure the dish is several inches thick. This pump can be adjusted but may still be too strong. I usually use these just for waterfalls in vivariums.
1663025
First I suggest buying a foot bigger it runs a little small. I don't have the support poles either so I went and bought some PVC pipe and made my own. Once I did that water didnt pool up.
1767841
Yes, I had the same problem. I don't seem to be having a problem with water height, but could not use the risers. I'm glad to see you ask this question because I thought it was just me not understanding how to use them.
186536
I ended up using PVC cement to hold it all together, otherwise the neck would keep popping off. It works fine with the valve closed all the way now. We can get about 15' waterfalls going with it.
1887835
I had the same problem. Bigger issues were that the base doesn't roll all that easily.. Almost better off bolting a bench to the tub.. Not great for the tub.. But way safer..
1000777
Yes and yes - but I've had issues with it. First, the end without the crank rolls when you're taking the cover off. It will roll right into the pool. So I've ended up having to manually pull back the cover so there isn't so much tension on it. Second, the screws that hold the two tubes together have given out in only a few months. The set up I had at my previous house didn't have these issues - more expensive but worked much better. I'd pass on this if I had it to do over again.
144909
Can I tell you not to buy it? Doesn't help at all. We bought two. $630. Didn't do squat for 18x33 above ground. And no. No shut off valve
999890
HI I just went to home depot site and it is the same exact one for 439.00. I see that amazon has it now for one thousand eight hundred plus dollars which is absolutely ridiculous. I hope no one buys it for this price. At the time I paid 499.00. even that was high due to the fact that water gets in somehow from the back. Hope this helps.
2256563
I was using a two-pole and strap solution, but it would sag and let water collect. Also, the straps started to get brittle and break within a year. I made a structure out of 1" PVC and it uses four poles with PVC struts extending to the rails. The struts make it a little difficult to move in the boat while putting the cover on or taking it off, but it keeps the water off.
846652
No way. Did you anchor it with the little gadget that came with it? It's supposed to be stationary, in the upper chamber where you add the water and the little gadgets hold it from the bottom.
1492112
Just buy the chlorine tabs and chlorine holder that floats in the pool. You can adjust the bottom for more or less, and you just let it float around, no worries!
876987
It could be that you didn't fill the float with water by holding it underwater for a minute or two when you 1st installed it. That was barely mentioned in the instructions but sounds like something that would assist in moving the float down.
2011780
Sorry "S", though I'd planned to use that expandable foam last fall I didn't. I'll be using it in a month or so too replace flotation in a little run-about. I did see a few people use it successfully on "You Tube." You may want to explore. that.option.
936476
T- did it work ok to make this shorter? I have to stand on tiptoe in order to remove my detachable showerhead from its holder. Did you buy this? Has it lasted?