There are plenty of types of above ground pool equipment available, all of which keep your pool clean and usable. Above ground pool equipment can rid pools of bacteria, remove floating leaves and other particles, test your pool's chemical balance, and keep your pool warm in cold weather.

Filters

Filters remove small free-floating particles from the water. Filters are usally connected to pumps, which sucks water out of the pool, and passes it through the filter through a set of specially designed rubber tubes. The water passes through a filtration medium, such as a filter paper or strainer, which catches the dirt and other contaminants. Clean water is then returned to the pool through an outtake pipe.

Filters are one of the most important items of above ground pool equipment, because they remove particles that leaf skimmers cannot. Keeping a pool free of floating particles usually involves the use of both types of above ground pool equipment.

Leaf skimmers

Leaf skimmers are flat nets attached to poles, which are skimmed across the surface of the water to pick up leaves, insects and other large floating bodies. Nets are usually made of plastic. They can also be improvised by tying a strainer or fine mesh material to a long stick.

The pole handles can be made of aluminum or PVC plastic piping. They can be a modest our feet in length or be as long as ten feet, depending on the size of the pool. Some models are even equipped with a telescope to help you locate particles on the far reaches of your pool.

Pool-cleaning chemicals

Chemicals keep a pool bacteria-free. The most widely used antibacterial chemical is cyanurated chlorine – few substances kill bacteria and microorganisms in water as quickly. However, chlorine is highly toxic and highly corrosive, and it is known to corrode and discolor aboveground pool linings. Bromine tablets are fast becoming known as a safer alternative to chlorine. They do not work as fast, but they have no known harsh effects.

Heaters

Heaters perform a dual function: they prevent the pool from freezing and keep it at a comfortable temperature during winter. High-end heaters can produce as much as 100,000 British thermal units (BTUs) of heat, more than enough keep your pool usable all winter.

You can choose from electric, natural gas, propane and even solar-powered heaters. Propane-powered heaters are by far the most powerful, but are also the least energy-efficient. Solar heaters are slow, but they will not run up your electric bill as much as propane heaters do.

Ornaments

Ornaments add aesthetic value to your pool. They are great for casual to formal gatherings in your backyard, especially in the evening. Ornaments for above ground pools include fiber optic lighting and glowing buoys.

Fiber optic lighting gives a pool more sparkle. They are usually iridescent and designed to appear in different colors at different angles. The most popular shades are magenta, green and dark blue. They emit light without releasing heat or consuming power, making them both safe and economical.

Glowing buoys are self-contained fluorescent lights which float on the water's surface. They form attractive shadows on the pool floor and often double as toys for children and daytime swimming. Glowing buoys emit no heat as well, although have electric fluorescent lamps inside.