Volume
One of the most important parameters for any inflatable pool. It depends on the volume how large the pool will be and how many people can simultaneously take water procedures in it. Choose a pool should be based on who it is purchased for. So,
for children under the age of one year, it is better to choose small solutions with a volume of up to 100-200 liters with low sides. For children under 3 years old, you can choose a model with a volume of about 300 liters. For children over the age of 6, you can already buy large,
family pools. But at the same time, experts recommend choosing the height of the sides, based on the height of the smallest family member.
Usually, the volume is calculated at 80% filling of the pool. Another important fact is that the larger the volume of the pool, the more care will be needed for it.
Filter
The type of filter that the pool is equipped with.
The filter provides water purification from various impurities and contaminants — dust, specks that have entered the water, etc. It is more convenient to filter water than to change it entirely every time it gets dirty, and it is also less costly from the financial point of view. Modern inflatable pools can be equipped with the following types of filters:
— Sandy. As the name suggests, these devices work by passing water through special sand. Such filters have a higher throughput, besides, they are cheaper to operate than cartridge filters, because are reusable: if the filter element is dirty, it is enough to arrange a backwash — and the device is ready for use again. On the other hand, such devices are rather bulky, and their efficiency is relatively low, so they are rarely found in inflatable pools.
— Cartridge. This category includes filters that use special cartridges as filter elements. Theoretically, the filling of such a cartridge can be anything, but in fact, special membranes made of polypropylene or other polymeric materials are most often used. This type of filter is much more compact than sand filters, easier to install and easier to fit into the overall design of the pool, which makes this option optimal for inflatable tanks. However the filter elements are consumables, if the cartridge becomes dirty, it must be changed to a new one; however,
...cartridges are relatively inexpensive, and this can hardly be called a serious drawback. The performance situation is the same: cartridge filters are slower than sand filters, but this is not critical given the small capacity of inflatable pools. Moreover, manufacturers usually select filters taking into account the specific volume of water that they have to deal with.
Recall that if necessary, the filter can be purchased separately.Performance
Performance of the pump supplied with the pool (see above).
It refers to the amount of water that the unit can pump per hour. Knowing this amount and the volume of the pool (see above), you can estimate how long it will take to filter it.
Note that manufacturers usually choose the performance of a complete filter, based on the optimal compromise between good speed and low cost, as well as the weight of the unit itself. Therefore, in fact, this parameter may be required mainly in the case of searching for a replacement for the standard filter.
Material
The main material used in the construction of the pool.
In modern inflatable materials, a variety of polymeric materials are used — rubber, PVC, vinyl and others. Usually, regardless of the name, these materials are strong and reliable enough to be used in accordance with the instructions, so you can not pay much attention to this parameter. If you still want to pay attention to all the characteristics, including materials, then it is worth considering two nuances:
— Under the same name (for example, "vinyl" or "PVC"), materials with different strengths, thicknesses and performance properties can be hidden. Therefore, when assessing the quality of the pool, it is worth focus not only and not so much on the name of the material, but on the price category of the product as a whole.
— Operating limits for different materials (and even varieties of the same material) can be different. Inflatable pools anyway should be protected from sharp objects and open flames, however, other restrictions may be provided — for example, for use in cold weather or for the time spent in the sun. These points should be clarified according to the instructions.
