Not really. The rocks need a poured footer to support them. The footer keeps the weight off the pool wall and directs it away from its edge.

Some big rock may get more, a rebar or two epoxied and mortared. This is particularly useful if a safety cover for Winter is planned.

Scott

The design of the Fox Pool x-brace means that the concrete pool deck is part of the pool structure. Rocks on the edge of the pool will rest on the pool deck. Too much weight on the pool deck will cause the x-brace to fail and crumple the side of the pool.

So perhaps I need to strengthen the support of the pool deck. I was thinking of using sonotubes with 90 degree rebar coming out the top and bottom in a radial pattern. The space between the footer and deck and around the sonotubes will be crushed stone.

I could also thicken the footer and deck and add rebar and concrete mesh to the deck.

Now, how can I figure out how close to place the sonotubes?

Here is a link that might be useful:

wpbucher,
Most footings need to be placed at least 1' into natural grade. Natural grade in your case would most likely be the excavation depth at the bottom of your X brace, about 4' down.
Fox dealer should have a standard detail plan. available for this type of construction.