Kelemvor

I don't have anything to put in the floater, just have the floater itself My wife did pick up a Maintenance Kit from Target that includes a bunch of stuff. This is the item here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=110401911738 I have to get the pump hooked up tonight or tomorrow so we can see how it works. Probably need a new filter right off the bat I imagine.

Hi all, I acquired (got it used from someone upgrading) one of those above ground pools where you inflate the top ring, add the water, and it rises and turns into a pool when you're done. It's 12' by 3' and is for my daughter to play around in. It's more or less like this: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?...uct_id=10715080 I've never owned a pool before and really don't know the first thing about taking care of one. So, just a few quick questions that hopefully are basic knowledge for most of you... 1) PUMP - The instructions say to let it run for 4-6 hours per day while it's not being used. I'm just wondering how necessary this is and how often I really need it to run. The main usage will be for my daughter (4 yrs old) to play around in. My wife will probably hop in with our 9mo old son now and then as well. She's estimating that providing the weather cooperates (we're in WI) she'll want to use it a few times a week. It will be covered when not in use to keep out leaves and other debris. SO is it really needed to run the filter as often as the instructions say or would we be able to do it less often? 2) CHEMICALS - No clue on this one but my wife doesn't like to smell like chlorine and breaks out with a rash in some Health Club pools we've been to. Can anyone direct me to, or provide me with, basic information on what we need to put in the pool and how often. It came with one of those things you float on the water and put the "stuff" inside if those are good or if there's just something we can put in every so often, that'd be fine to. I know there are alternatives to chlorine and we'd want whatever would be best to not cause our kids to smell like chlorine and to not affect their skin. 3) PATCHING - We filled the pool yesterday and noticed a handful of pin sized leaks in the side. They just dribble out but we'd obviously like to patch them. Are there household things we can just dab on the little holes (superglue or something similar) or can we just buy a patch kit of sorts from a local pool supply place maybe? Thanks!