Question 1

General Usage Notes

Accepted Answer

Before using your pool:
Manuals: Read the manuals in full for your equipment.
Intex Sand Filter Pump Manual - 2025 Pools
Intex Cartridge Filter Pump Manual - 2022, 2023, 2024 Pools
Dolphin Vacuum Manual
Bestway 56441 Manual
Superior Sump Pump Manual (2022-2025 Pools) or AquaStrong Sump Pump Manual (Aug 2025 Pools & Beyond)
Safety Signs: Read the safety signs on the pool, stairs, ladder, and leaf cover. This should only take 10 minutes and is very helpful information. 
Child Safety Commitment: 
We are passionate about this topic. If you have children, please read our Child Safety Commitment page in whole. 
If you have children, remove the stairs when the pool is not in use and store at least 4' away.
Equipment Reminders:
Do not enter the pool with the vacuum running.
Turn off pump when servicing it.
Leaf Cover: When rolling up your leaf cover, roll it so that the fabric is rolling OVER and not UNDER. The material is 98% UV resistant so the cover helps keep the pool cleaner and cooler!

Question 2

How do I maintain my pool? 2025 Edition.

Accepted Answer

How to Maintain Your Pool – 2025 Edition
You can maintain your pool yourself or hire a pool cleaner. See our suggested pool cleaners here. Pool cleaners typically come weekly and will most likely come onsite to provide you with a quote. 
Please note that no two pools have identical water. Usage frequency, sun exposure, rain, tree debris, sunscreen, and other factors affect the water needs. The following is a general guide to help you get started, but you will need to adjust based on your pool’s specific needs.

WEEKLY POOL MAINTENANCE
1. Run the Dolphin Vacuum
Press the large button to start the vacuum. It will run for about 2 hours, and clean leaves and debris from the pool floor and sides.
When running the Dolphin, retract and bungee the interior ladder so the vacuum can reach behind it. This ensures the cord doesn't get wrapped around the ladder like the below image.

If you need a deeper clean for finer debris (sand, pollen, etc.), you can purchase an upgraded filter basket. 
Periodically, you will need to clean out the basket with your hose. When removing the vacuum from the pool, do not use the blue cord to pull out the vacuum. Use the blue cord to guide it to the side but use the white handle to pull it out. Consult your manual on maintaining the basket.

2. Remove Floating Debris
Use the net to scoop out floating debris.

3. Add Chlorine/Chemicals 
Test your water regularly to adjust the chlorine and chemical amount as needed. You can hire a pool cleaner, learn to test the water yourself (kits sold on Amazon or at pool stores), or bring a water sample to a Leslie's Pools franchise for them to test the water for you. A Leslie's employee will then provide you with a chemical regimen. They will ask how large your pool is - it is 1,800 gallons.
To start, fill the chlorine dispenser with 1" chlorine tablets (about 8 tabs per week to start).
To start, dissolve 2 oz (1/8 bag) of Leslie's Chlor Brite in a cup of water, then pour it into the pool.
Run you filter pump and vacuum whenever you add chemicals for better mixing.

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BI-WEEKLY/MONTHLY MAINTENANCE
1. Service Your Filter Pump
You have a combination of a sand and cartridge filter pump. The water flows out of the pool through a lockable valve, through a sand filter, then through a cartridge filter, and finally goes back into the pool through another lockable valve.

2. Sand Filter Maintenance
The sand filter removes dirt and impurities from the water. Over time, debris buildup increases pressure inside the tank, which can be seen on the pressure gauge. The manual can help answer any questions.
The filter pump can be set to a timer or run continuously on "FP" mode. We suggest running the filter pump for 12 hours per day. For detailed instructions on how to set the timer, refer to page 13 of the manual.
When to clean: Check the pressure gauge—if it's in the yellow zone, it’s time to backwash.

How to Backwash:
Turn the pump off. 
Decompress the valve handle and move to "BACKWASH."
Turn the pump back on. Backwash until a clear flow of water is observed in the waste/drain. 
If you would like a longer tube to distribute the water further away, you can purchase one on Amazon or at Home Depot/Lowes. It is 1.25" in inner diameter.     
Please follow national code 3.12.0, which prohibits discharging to a storm drain/waterway if it causes pollution (e.g. water that is chlorinated, turbid, stagnant, low in dissolved oxygen, discolored, malodorous/noxious, etc.).
Turn the pump off. 
Turn the valve handle to "FILTER". It is now back in filter mode.
There are four valve positions on the top of the filter pump. You will most likely only use "FITLER" & "BACKWASH". "RECIRCULATE" mode circulates the water and avoids the sand. This would only be used if shocking the pool, and you don't want to filter out any chemicals. "DRAIN" is not necessary because Delphina provides you with a sump pump to drain the pool.
If air bubbles ever build up in the filter pump or tubes, release the air with the air-release valve.

3. Cartridge Filter Maintenance
As needed, rinse or replace the cartridge filter with a 20 Micron Pleated Filter. If there is minimal build-up, you can rinse it with a hose or in the sink and replace. 
Before unscrewing the filter basin, LOCK THE VALVES to prevent water flow.

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EVERY 2-3 YEARS MAINTENANCE
Change out the sand in the sand filter. 
Unscrew the bolt connecting the top. Dump the old sand and replace with No. 20 silica sand (14.5lbs needed) which is readily accessible on Amazon.
Follow the detailed instructions in the pump manual.

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AS NEEDED MAINTENANCE
Use vinyl cleaner to clean the top sides of the pool. Avoid using excess amount - spray on towel first.
Change out the top of the net pole with the brush attachment to brush the sides of the pool.

Question 3

How do I maintain my pool? 2022, 2023, 2024 Edition.

Accepted Answer

You can maintain your pool yourself or hire a pool cleaner. See our suggested pool cleaners here. Pool cleaners typically come weekly and will most likely come onsite to provide you with a quote. 
Please note that no two pools are the same and that the below is only a suggested regimen to get started. Everyone's water is different depending on the amount of sun, rain, tree debris, sunscreen, etc. that gets in it.

To maintain the pool yourself: 
About 1x per week:
Run the Dolphin Vacuum E20 by pressing the large button. This device will run for ~2 hours and suck up any leaves/debris at the bottom. Your Dolphin may have the ability to be scheduled on a weekly timer. You will have to reprogram the timer weekly. You can read more about that in your manual. 
Retract up and bungee the interior ladder for a deeper clean so the Dolphin can more easily get behind it. You want to avoid this happening:

If you need a deeper clean for finer debris (sand, pollen, etc.), you can purchase an upgraded filter basket: Dolphin Ultra Fine Filter Basket.
Periodically, you will need to clean out the basket with your hose. When removing the vacuum from the pool, do not use the blue cord to pull out the vacuum. Use the blue cord to guide it to the side but use the white handle to pull it out. Consult your manual on maintaining the basket.

Use the net to scoop out floating debris.
Fill the chlorine dispenser with more 1" chlorine tablets. Fill it up with roughly ~8 tabs per week.  Reminder that this is just to start - you will need to test your water to learn how much is needed.
Add 1/8 (2oz) bag of Leslie's Chlor Brite into a cup of water and make sure it dissolves. Then, pour it into the pool. Make sure to run your filter pump and Dolphin vacuum while doing this so that the chemicals mix into the water.
Remove the filter from the filter pump and rinse or replace. IMPORTANT: if you have stopper valves, you must rotate them to the locked position before changing out the filter or water will explode. Remember to unlock them after change out.
​Replace with an Intex Filter Cartridge Type A . If there is minimal build-up, you can rinse. Loosen the tight screw to let air out. Stop when the water is coming out, then tighten. See the video below for how to do this.

When Needed:
Use the vinyl cleaner to clean the top sides of the pool. Avoid using excess amount - spray on towel first.
Change out the top of the net pole with the brush attachment to brush the sides of the pool. 
Testing Your Water: 
To keep balanced water and accurate chemicals levels, you can learn to test the water yourself (kits sold on Amazon or at pool stores) or bring a water sample to a Leslie's Pools franchise for them to test the water for you. A Leslie's employee will then provide you with a chemical regimen. They will ask how large your pool is - it is 1,800 gallons.

Question 4

How do I use the leaf cover?

Accepted Answer

First, use a leaf blower to blow any debris off the cover before rolling it up. This prevents the debris from falling into the pool during roll-up.
Then, roll it up so that the fabric is rolling OVER and not UNDER. This makes it easier to pull it back on and ensures it doesn't get stuck under the cushions.
Note: The material is 98% UV-resistant, so the cover helps keep the pool cooler, acting as a large sun shade/umbrella.

Question 5

What happens if my pool turns green after it rains?

Accepted Answer

Watch this super helpful video to learn more about the potential chemical imbalance and how to fix it.

Question 6

What if my water stays green or continues to have issues?

Accepted Answer

If your pool stays green after shocking or has major issues, we typically suggest draining your pool, giving it a deep clean with vinyl cleaner, and refilling the pool with fresh water. If you want someone to deep-clean your pool for you, check here.
Another option is to bring a sample of your water to a Leslie's Pools location and have an employee suggest a chemical regimen to get it back to normal.
Note: pool chemicals can be very expensive. It will typically be much faster and cheaper to drain your pool and start over with new water. Often, this is what Leslie's will suggest. They will ask how large your pool is - it is 1,800 gallons.

Question 7

How do I drain and refill my pool?

Accepted Answer

All Delphina pools come with a pump that will remove the water from your pool using a standard garden hose. It will typically take 4 hours to drain the pool. 
Superior Pump manual here.
Aqua Strong manual here.

It will drain down to about 1/4" of water so you might need to scoop out the remaining bit with a bucket.
Important: Remove the chlorine dispenser from the inside. If you leave it in, it can remove coloring.
Important: Turn off your pool pump to prevent it from running without water.
Ideally, let the vinyl liner dry for about a day. 
Then, use Vinyl Cleaner to scrub the sides before filling it back up. 
As you fill up the pool again, get inside and kick out the liner to ensure there aren't folds or kinks in the bottom of the pool. Stay inside the pool for the first 3 inches.
Additionally, as the pool fills back up, ensure the pool legs are kicked out and on the cement blocks or steel bases as it fills back up. You might have to use a long tool (e.g. broom) or unscrew and remove the wrap to do this.

Question 8

Pool Trouble Shooting

Accepted Answer

Pump Isn't Working: Press the reset button on the GFCI plug. 
Pump Is Leaking: 
1. Ensure the black rubber bands at the ends of the valves are not twisted.
2. Tighten the black clamp at the top of the sand filter base.
Pump Is Making Loud Scratchy Noise: Release air from the pump. This is most likely trapped air bubbles.

Question 9

What should I do during a freeze?

Accepted Answer

During a prolonged or severe freeze:

Vacuum: Remove your Dolphin vacuum from the pool, unplug it, and store it indoors to protect it from damage.
Filter Pump: Unplug your filter pump from the power source to prevent it from running if water inside the tubes freezes. Once temperatures rise above freezing, plug it back in and reset it to resume operation.

If the temperature drops below 32°F for just a few hours overnight, you likely don’t need to take any action.

Question 10

How should I winterize my pool?

Accepted Answer

You can either:
Keep water in it and just do lighter maintenance. You will still need to add chlorine and switch out the filter so it doesn't become a swamp, but you can just attempt doing this once a month and see how it goes.
Drain it fully but remember that when it rains, a light amount of water will collect at the bottom and need to be drained out periodically. We do not offer a rainproof cover for a lot of reasons, but the main one is that a rainproof cover would have to be very large (imagine a huge hot tub cover). A vinyl tarp will break from the weight of the rain or fall to the bottom of the pool. We've tested a lot and do not suggest. :)
Remove the pool liner & metal legs completely and store it somewhere until the start of next season. This is the most cumbersome option but also the most fool-proof. If you're in Austin, we have 2 Delphina employees who could clean your liner, take it apart, and fold it up to be stored for the season for $300. You would then want to hire them in the Spring to re-install for $300. If you would like to do this, email us hello@delphinapools.com.

Question 11

How do I clean a rusty ladder or handles?

Accepted Answer

Stainless steel can rust after prolonged time in the water and chlorine. You can easily scrub away rust using Bar Keepers Friend spray. Spray the metal with the cleaner, scrub the cleaner onto the rusty parts with a cloth or brush (a toothbrush works well), then spray with water and watch the rust disappear. You will most likely have to do this at the start of each season.

Question 12

Who can clean my pool for me?

Accepted Answer

Weekly Pool Cleaners:

Austin
Above & Beyond Pools and Spa's: Dominque 512.415.0266
Bull's Pool Service:  Chad Bull 512.810.2423

Houston
contacts coming soon
Dallas
contacts coming soon

Deep Clean the Pool Liner:
If you haven’t kept up with maintenance over the Winter and want some help getting your pool ready for swim season, a team member is available to deep-clean your pool liner and start a water refresh. They will scrub the interior with the proper vinyl cleaner, remove all debris, and start the pool refill after the cleaning. You can pay them via Venmo or cash.
 
1️⃣ Text a tech and request a Delphina Pool deep clean and schedule a time.
2️⃣ Drain the pool using the Sump Pump we provided. DRAINING INSTRUCTIONS HERE. Fully drain the pool at least 24 hours before your cleaning so the liner can dry and it can be properly cleaned.
3️⃣ The tech will text you when they departs. Set a few alarm reminders to turn your water off after refill!

Austin
John: text 610.203.1490 for a quote
Houston
contacts coming soon
Dallas
contacts coming soon

DELPHINA POOLS

LUXURY ABOVE-GROUND POOLS & FURNITURE

Frequently asked questions

General Usage Notes

How do I maintain my pool? 2025 Edition.

How do I maintain my pool? 2022, 2023, 2024 Edition.

How do I use the leaf cover?

What happens if my pool turns green after it rains?

What if my water stays green or continues to have issues?

How do I drain and refill my pool?

Pool Trouble Shooting

What should I do during a freeze?

How should I winterize my pool?

How do I clean a rusty ladder or handles?

Who can clean my pool for me?