By Andee Zeigler, June 8, 2021
Remember when it was summer last week? It was just for a moment but I am confident it will be back!
I took some time this weekend to get our little stock tank pool ready, if you are dreaming up ways to stay cool this summer, I highly recommend that you get yourself one!
Below is a little tutorial; this is our 4th summer with it and we feel like we finally have it working how we want.
-Purchase a 700 gallon round stock tank you may be able to get it delivered, check your local farm supply shops.
-Choose a filter and pump, the Intex above ground pool salt water filter and pump are super user friendly and work great if you cut two holes in the side for the intake/out .
-Dig out the area where the pool will be placed. Pick a location that will get good sun to help warm the
water. Get it as level as possible, add a 2” layers of sand and 1 layer of foam core insulation.
-Buy a filter cartridge and pool salt, available at most hardware stores, get a 50lb bag of salt it it will last 2 summers. We also have an Intex rechargeable vacuum that is a must have!
-Purchase a round solar cover and cut it to size, this pool is 8’ diameter . At night we also put a foam board insulation cover on it which has made a huge difference in heat retention.
Last year we added a second solar heating system that sits on top of a darkroom door we have been carting around for the last decade! This coil of black flex pipe can be placed anywhere but full sun is ideal. We use a pond pump to pump water up through 200 feet of coiled black tubing. The pump is on a timer so the water sits up there for 20 min and then is pumped back into the pool. The pump is a little loud so we housed it in an old styrofoam cooler and tucked it under the deck. When we are actively using the pool we shut all of the pumps off so it’s more peaceful. With this solar setup up we average 80 degrees by mid afternoon, late June-late September. 
Last but not least, design your deck and landscaping. Having the half moon deck makes this a sweet spot to visit and dip your feet in. We find that we spend most summer afternoons in this little corner of the yard.
If you decide to get one and have questions, I am happy to help. We have found that if you google it, you get a handful of basic instructions, we tried all of the variations over the years and feel quite happy with this set up. Now we just have to keep the ducks out!
—
Andee Zeigler
Principal Broker | OR
She/Her
I have called Portland home for over 20 years and can’t imagine raising my babies
anywhere else. I have been a REALTOR® for over a decade and still wake up every day
delighted that I truly love what I do. I love helping people find their home sweet home,
score an investment property that pencils out better than expected, holding the hand of
a first-time homebuyer, or guiding a nervous seller through the process of leaving a home
they’ve loved. I know Portland like the back of my hand and have a wealth of knowledge
about our unique homes and rapidly growing inventory of new construction.
I have loved up many homes over the years, from a total restoration of an 1894 Victorian
farmhouse to a full remodel of 1942 ranch and several in between. I enjoy educating my
clients on the home buying and selling process as well as educating them on how to care
for their home. I strive to help buyers understand their homes' unique qualities, how to
love them up, and the realities of vintage homeownership.
Each real estate transaction is different and for many people the entire process is new
and can feel overwhelming. I work hard to help clients manage expectations and give
them perspective along the way. I also truly love negotiating and believe it can be done
with grace and cooperation. Over the years many of my clients have become my friends
and I am grateful for the joy this career has brought me.
When I am not scouring the new listings, meeting clients for pie or reading up on all
things real estate, I am busy filling my days with goodness. I currently live in my dream
home in St. Johns with my husband, 3 kids, 2 cats, 2 ducks and goose! I am an avid
gardener, growing over 30 varieties of fruits and vegetables and countless plants and
flowers, including nearly 1000 tulips and over 100 dahlia varieties. During the spring
and summer we have a little free table with bouquets and plant starts for our
community. When the garden doesn’t need me you can find me in the kitchen. I try to
bake once a day, everything from sourdough to french macarons. I graduated with an
art degree and find great joy in painting and making pottery, there is almost always an
art project happening at the dining room table. I am a dedicated traveler and have made
exploring the world with my babies a priority. When we aren’t traveling internationally
we explore our corner of the world in our Vanagon, Dr. Coffey!
I am in constant awe of the beauty of the PNW and feel grateful that this is my home
sweet home. I absolutely believe that everyone should love where they live and won’t let
anyone settle!
Read More
- T: 503-901-6864
- andee@livingroomre.com
