Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 24′ Pool Review: The Backyard Oasis That Demands Your Sweat

I remember the exact moment the idea took root. It was a sweltering mid-July afternoon, the kind where the air feels thick and heavy. The kids were listless, and my dreams of a relaxing summer felt like they were melting away with every degree the thermometer climbed. We had priced vacations, looked at local pool memberships, and the numbers just weren’t adding up. The thought kept circling back: what if we could create our own private oasis, right here at home? The dream of stepping out the back door and into cool, refreshing water is a powerful one, but the path to achieving it can be fraught with questions about cost, durability, and the sheer effort involved. Choosing the wrong pool can lead to a summer of frustration instead of fun, a lopsided eyesore that serves as a constant reminder of a project gone wrong. That’s why finding a permanent, high-quality above-ground pool is so critical—it’s not just a purchase, it’s an investment in your family’s happiness and your home’s appeal.

What to Consider Before Buying a Framed Swimming Pool

A framed swimming pool is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for transforming your backyard into a hub for family entertainment, relaxation, and physical activity. Unlike flimsy inflatable pools that last a season if you’re lucky, a steel-framed pool like the Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 24′ Pool is a semi-permanent structure designed to provide years of enjoyment. It offers a significant portion of the benefits of an in-ground pool—a large swimming area, depth for real swimming, and a sturdy presence—at a fraction of the cost and without the massive, permanent excavation of your property. It’s the perfect middle ground for homeowners who want a serious aquatic escape without the five-figure price tag.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a handy homeowner, or at least one with a can-do attitude and a reliable friend or two. You need to be prepared for a significant DIY project that starts with serious ground preparation. This is not a “pop-up” pool. If you’re someone who expects an effortless setup or lacks the space for a massive 24-foot diameter circle, this isn’t for you. Likewise, if you rent your home, a permanent structure like this is likely not a viable option. Those looking for a temporary, smaller-scale solution might consider alternatives like the portable Bestway Steel Pro or Intex Prism Frame pools, which offer a quicker, less demanding setup for more casual use.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A 24-foot diameter pool is enormous. You need to measure your yard not just for the pool itself, but for at least 3 feet of clearance all the way around for safe access and maintenance. Also, consider the 52-inch height; you’ll be building a deck or using a substantial A-frame ladder, which also requires space.
• Capacity/Performance: This pool holds a staggering 13,594 gallons of water. This capacity dictates the size and power of the pump and filter system you’ll need to purchase separately. Skimping on the pump for a pool this size will result in a constant, losing battle with cloudy water and algae.
• Materials & Durability: The core of this pool is its galvanized steel wall and frame. This provides excellent resistance to rust, corrosion, and the immense pressure of the water. While steel is far superior to the PVC and polyester used in temporary pools, it’s important to inspect the thickness and coatings, like the Krystal Kote finish on this model, which add another layer of protection.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The “ease of use” for a pool this size primarily relates to the installation, which we’ll cover in-depth. Post-installation, maintenance involves regular water chemistry checks, vacuuming, and filter cleaning. A key consideration here is that the liner, skimmer, pump, and ladder are all sold separately, allowing you to customize the quality of these critical components.

While the Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 24′ Pool is an excellent choice for a permanent backyard fixture, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Beautiful Beast Awaiting Taming

When the boxes for the Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 24′ Pool arrived, the scale of the project immediately became real. This is not a toy; the components are heavy, industrial, and scream permanence. The star of the show is the massive, coiled steel wall, printed with a subtle and elegant “Acadia” pattern. Unboxing the 6-inch steel top rails and 5-inch vertical pillars, the “Cognac” color accents were a pleasant surprise, offering a sophisticated two-tone look that elevates it beyond a simple backyard pool. The transparent Krystal Kote protective layer gives the frame a subtle sheen, promising protection against the elements. Unlike all-in-one kits, this is a foundational package: pool structure and instruction manual. This a la carte approach can be intimidating, but it also gives you the freedom to choose a high-quality liner and a powerful pump system tailored to your needs, rather than being stuck with subpar included accessories. My initial thought was one of respect; this was a serious piece of equipment that, once assembled, would look like a professional installation. Little did I know the journey to get there would be an epic test of patience and precision.

Deep Dive: Performance, Pain, and Payoff

A pool review that only covers the final product is missing half the story. The experience of owning the Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 24′ Pool begins long before you dip a toe in the water. It’s a journey of construction, a study in durability, and ultimately, a transformation of your backyard. We dove deep into every aspect of this pool, from the grueling setup to the glorious final result.

The Installation Gauntlet: A DIYer’s Ultimate Test

Let me be unequivocally clear: installing this pool is not for the faint of heart. The user feedback is unanimous on this point, and our experience confirms it. This is a monumental task that demands meticulous preparation, at least two patient and strong people (we’d recommend three or four), and a willingness to disregard the often-confusing instruction manual in favor of common sense. The most critical step, bar none, is ground preparation. We spent a full day ensuring our spot was perfectly level to within a fraction of an inch. Many users wisely hire this part out or rent equipment; we found that a laser level and a lot of careful digging and tamping did the job. Do not skimp on this step. An unlevel base is a recipe for catastrophic failure.

Assembling the bottom track and footings was straightforward, but the real challenge begins with uncoiling the single-piece steel wall. This is a tense, unwieldy process where the wall constantly wants to spring back into a coil. As one user wisely advised, we found it helpful to not fully seat the bottom track into the footings initially, giving us some “play” to shrink the circumference and get the two ends of the wall to meet. Bolting the wall together is a high-stakes moment that requires perfect alignment. The next challenge is the wind. Even a slight breeze can catch the wall like a sail, turning your perfect circle into a crumpled mess. We followed another user’s brilliant tip: temporarily install the uprights and top plates as you go, and even tie them to stakes outside the pool to keep the wall stable until the liner and water add weight. This advice, gleaned from the hard-won experience of others, was a lifesaver and a testament to why you should check out the user feedback before starting. The entire process, not including ground prep, took us the better part of a full day. It was arduous and tested our resolve, but seeing that perfect, massive circle standing at the end was incredibly rewarding.

Construction and Durability: A Tale of Two Components

Once the pool is standing, you can truly appreciate its core strength. The galvanized steel wall is the hero of the entire structure. It’s thick, rigid, and feels incredibly robust. Holding nearly 14,000 gallons (over 113,000 pounds) of water is a serious job, and the corrugated steel wall is more than up to the task. We were impressed with its stability; there’s no unnerving flex or bowing once it’s filled. This is a structure built to last, a fact confirmed by users who report it standing strong even after two years and multiple hurricanes. The 5-inch vertical pillars and resin connectors also feel solid, locking everything together into a cohesive unit that we are confident will provide years of service.

However, there’s a baffling contrast when you get to the top rails. While the wall is a fortress, the 6-inch steel top rails feel disappointingly flimsy. During installation, it’s easy to bend them if you’re not careful. Once installed, they look fantastic, but we quickly confirmed what many users complained about: they cannot support weight. Leaning on the edge with your arms to rest is enough to cause them to flex downwards or even create a permanent bend. Several of ours developed a slight sag in the middle within a few months of use. This is a significant design flaw in an otherwise sturdy product. Compared to older pools with thick, heavy-duty top ledges, these feel paper-thin. While it doesn’t seem to compromise the structural integrity of the pool itself, it’s a major letdown in terms of perceived quality and is something you must be mindful of during everyday use.

Aesthetic Appeal and Backyard Transformation

Despite the installation ordeal and the flimsy top rails, the moment you finish landscaping and fill the pool with water, all is forgiven. The Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 24′ Pool is, simply put, beautiful. The “Acadia” wall pattern is subtle and stylish, mimicking a textured stone or plaster that blends wonderfully into a backyard environment. The “Cognac” color of the uprights and top rails is a warm, rich tone that feels much more upscale than the standard white or grey of many other pools. It doesn’t look like a temporary summer toy; it looks like a permanent, integrated feature of your home. We received numerous compliments from neighbors, many of whom were shocked to learn it was a DIY kit and not a much more expensive professional install.

The sheer size is also a major part of its appeal. A 24-foot diameter provides an incredible amount of swimming space. It’s large enough for lap swimming, floating with a half-dozen friends, or hosting an epic kids’ pool party without everyone feeling cramped. It truly transforms the backyard from a simple patch of grass into a destination for entertainment and relaxation. This visual and functional payoff is the primary reason to endure the difficult setup; the final result is a feature that truly sets it apart and makes the entire project worthwhile.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our findings are strongly echoed across a wide range of customer experiences. The prevailing sentiment is a classic “love/hate” relationship, with the “hate” centered almost exclusively on the installation process. One user edited their review from “DO NOT BUY THIS POOL” to “Finally Got it Done looks beautiful! Most stupid Beautiful pool ever!” This perfectly encapsulates the journey. Many, like us, found the instructions to be “horrible” and had to rely on trial, error, and logic to complete the assembly.

On the positive side, praise for the pool’s sturdiness (the wall, specifically) and appearance is overwhelming. One owner noted, “The pool is absolutely beautiful though and a great price… The pool is very sturdy and we’re having a blast this summer.” Another, after two years, confirmed its resilience, stating it survived hurricanes Laura and Delta with “no problem.” The most significant and consistent negative feedback, which we can personally verify, concerns the top rails. “The one big negative the top rails are very flimsy,” one user stated bluntly. “Just leaning on the pool edge resting your arms they bend down.” This is a critical piece of feedback for potential buyers to manage their expectations about the product’s finish quality.

How the Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 24′ Pool Compares to the Competition

The Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 24′ Pool occupies a specific niche in the market—a large, permanent, DIY pool. But how does it stack up against other popular, albeit different, options? We took a look at three notable alternatives.

1. Bestway Steel Pro 10 Foot Round Pool Set

The Bestway Steel Pro is in a completely different league, intended for a different buyer. At only 10 feet in diameter and 30 inches deep, it’s a starter pool designed for small yards, young children, and temporary seasonal use. Its key advantage is simplicity; setup takes a fraction of the time, and the all-in-one kit includes a pump. However, its DuraPlus liner and steel frame are not built for the same level of permanence or durability as the Aquarian’s galvanized steel wall. If you want a quick, easy, and affordable way to splash around for a summer, the Bestway is a great choice. If you want a long-term swimming solution for the whole family, it simply can’t compare to the size and sturdiness of the Aquarian Phoenix.

2. Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 15′ Pool Kit

This is the little sibling to the pool we reviewed. It offers the exact same construction, materials, and aesthetic—the galvanized steel wall, Cognac accents, and Krystal Kote finish—but in a more manageable 15-foot diameter. It’s an excellent choice for those who love the look and permanence of the Phoenix line but simply don’t have the space for the massive 24-foot model. The installation will present many of the same challenges, albeit on a smaller scale. This specific version is also sold as a kit with a pump and skimmer, which simplifies the buying process. This is the perfect alternative for someone who wants the quality of our reviewed pool but has backyard size constraints.

3. Intex Prism Frame 20ft x 10ft Oval Pool Set

The Intex Prism Frame offers a compelling middle ground. Its tube-frame design is significantly easier to assemble than the Aquarian’s solid steel wall, yet it’s far more durable than a simple inflatable pool. The oval shape is fantastic for narrower yards where a 24-foot round pool wouldn’t fit, and it’s still large enough for lap swimming. As an all-in-one set, it includes the pump, ladder, cover, and ground cloth, representing tremendous value. However, the puncture-resistant 3-ply material liner, while strong, is still not on the same level of permanence as the Aquarian’s solid steel wall. This is the ideal choice for someone who wants a large, feature-rich pool with a much easier setup process and is comfortable with a slightly less permanent structure.

Our Final Verdict on the Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 24′ Pool

After weeks of testing, building, and swimming, our conclusion is clear: the Aquarian Phoenix Steel-Frame 24′ Pool is a fantastic long-term investment for the right person. Its core structure is exceptionally durable, its size is magnificent, and its aesthetic appeal elevates it far beyond the average above-ground pool. It provides the experience of a professionally installed pool for a DIY price tag. However, that price is paid not just in dollars, but in sweat, patience, and a bit of frustration during the notoriously difficult installation. The flimsy top rails are also a notable drawback that detracts from an otherwise premium-feeling product.

We recommend this pool to the dedicated DIYer who has a large, level space and is ready for a serious but rewarding project. If you are willing to overcome the challenge of the build, you will be rewarded with a beautiful, sturdy, and enormous backyard oasis that will be the centerpiece of your summers for years to come. If you’re ready to take the plunge and transform your backyard, we highly recommend you check the latest price and availability for the Aquarian Phoenix pool today.