Build Instructions
Put a Giza Pyramid down
I bought mine from Inner Fire Pyramids. They have 3 giza pyramids:
- 71 inch – 10 sq ft
- 61 inch – 09 sq ft
- 50 inch – 07 sq ft
So based on the size of the pool that you put inside, you need to get the appropriate pyramid and follow their assembly instructions.
Put down the snow melting mat in the center of the pyramid
I went with HeatTrak, but others might work. You want the entrance mat that comes with a power supply and GFCI. Buying direct from HeatTrak is significantly cheaper than buying from Amazon.
Connect the Temperature Controller to the Snow Melting Mat
I used an Inkbird Temperature controller. It has been used in at least 2 other DIY tank builds:
- the UK zen tent
- blake dunham’s tank – (4) Building your DIY float/ Sensory deprivation tank – YouTube
Put the doggy / kiddie pool on top of the snow melting mat
A doggy/kiddie pool is designed to be easy to step into. The previous tank/pool design had 22-inch high walls, which are not easy to step into and out of. Furthermore, it was a rigid tank, which is hard to move around corners.
I looked a few different options
- Amazon.com: Meowant Foldable Dog Pool, Hard Plastic Dog Swimming Pools for Large Dogs, Collapsible Plastic Kid Pet Pool, Portable Bathing Tub Kiddie Pool for Dogs Outdoor Indoor (XL-63” × 12”) : Toys & Games
- Amazon.com: Jasonwell Foldable Dog Kiddie Pool – Hard Plastic Kids Paddling Pool Toddler Baby Swimming Pool for Backyard Collapsible Whelping Box Pet Doggie Cats Wading Pool Bathtub for Puppy Large Dogs 87In : Toys & Games
And tripped up on the Intex pool, which is 1 foot more in diameter but made in the USA vs China (main concern being returns not workmanship) – Amazon.com: Intex Deep Sea Blue 8 Feet x 18 Inch SnapSet Instant Round Plastic Above Ground Swimming Kiddie Pool for Ages 3 Years and Up, Blue : Toys & Games .. amazon has good prices, Home Depot a bit more expensive. Company direct is cheapest but returns are more aggravating.
Insulate room and tank
Before adding and heating water, make sure the room is 82 deg to 90 deg F. And perhaps get some foam insulation to put over the pool. Technically none of this is needed since we are dealing with a heating element powerful enough to melt snow in winter temperatures!
Add water
Make sure a small amount of water heats fine
Put about 1 inch of water in the pool and then turn on the heater and make sure the temperature rises to the set point
Keep adding water and wait for the temperature to return to the set point
Add Epsom Salt – slowly
add 8 pounds at a time and wait for the temperature to return to set point
Add your filtration system
We all know that filtration involves more than filtration, but let’s continue. I’ve researched pumps and filters and decided to go with Barbara Cherington’s setup:
- Hayward pump and mechanical filter
- ozone unit