Upgraded Intex Easy Set pool pump and now have questions....advice please!

[KarenG3]

Thanks for the suggestions. The pump does require a "B" cartridge and I purchased a 6 pack. With the prior pump (which used a "A/C" cartridge, I rinsed them after use (which sometimes was everyday!) and would put them in a bucket with water and shock for about 30 minutes. Had to be careful I didn't forget to remove them though because the shock would eat through the plastic on the (cheap) filters. I will definitely try the bleach and detergent!
Still looking for a solution to the skimmer basket connection, which will also be my vacuum connection. Can't set up the vacuum with the way everything is installed now, because the only hoses are on the outside of the pool and go directly to the pump. Inside the pool consists of the strainer that directs water to be filtered and the blower which forces the clean water into the pool. Not sure where I'd connect the vacuum. I hope this is making sense. The 1500 gph pump connections that I just replaced had threads on the strainer piece (inside the pool) that would accept a connection that ran to the skimmer basket or you could remove the skimmer and attach the vacuum.
Thanks!
Karen

[PoolDoc]

Did the shock eat through Intex brand filters? (If it does, that's just information I need to have) Or, were they another brand (unlabeled Walmart special)?

Do you have a digital camera? Can you take pictures of the old and new connections? If you can, send them to poolforum@gmail.com .

Did you look at the Intex page and manual on the skimmer I linked to? It appeared that that skimmer (not yours) was designed to work with your filter.

Is your skimmer different than the one I linked to? Do you know what make / model it is? (Where did you get it?)

[KarenG3]

I used both the Intex brand and ones I purchased at Walmart and the shock damaged the plastic on top and bottom of the A/C cartridge. It would start to eat through it and the plastic became 'gummy'.
I do have a camera and will take photos in the morning when it's light out (it's 8pm here now). I looked at the link your provided and it is the same skimmer. I think I may need an adapter that leads from the host at the bottom of the skimmer basket to the strainer inlet on the inside wall of the pool. The one that I replaced had threads on the strainer and the adapter that is on the end of the hose coming from the skimmer basket attached to it. But the strainer with this new pump is much larger and the adapter does not fit. So I looked on eBay and did see a 4 1/2 inch strainer adapter which I think I need to attached the skimmer basket. There's no mention of it with the new pump so I guess I was supposed to figure that out myself. I'm still looking though for the correct information. Thanks for the info you've given me!
Karen

[PoolDoc]

Intex does not have the best customer support.

On the other hand, so do some companies who sell far pricier products. But, they still have done more to expand the US pool market than any other company in the past 30 years. When I entered the pool business over 25 years ago, the idea that someone could go to Walmart (yes, they existed then!), buy an 18' round pool for less than $750, install it themselves, and have it actually work for more than 12 hours would have been heresy!

But, setting that aside, they are hurting themselves these days by not providing better support, at least online.

However, before you buy, try calling their customer service number, and see if you can get any clarity there:

Consumer Service
Special Summer Hours:
Monday through Friday 7:00am-5:00pm PST
Saturday 7:00am-3:00pm PST

Online Store: http://www.intexstore.com
E-mail: http://www.email.intexstore.com

[KarenG3]

Thank you! I will call them on Monday to see if I can get what I need!
Karen

[SafetyBob]

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but I am just about ready to dump the cartridge filter setup and go with the big sand filter pump setup from Intex. I think it is rated at 2650gph flow rating. It comes with a real strainer basket like real pool pumps.

What I am getting at is I have the same pump/filter setup as you on my much smaller 10' metal frame pool and I use the bigger return/inlet parts that came with that pump on my little pool. And the valves certainly make it easier to change cartridges without loosing a bunch of water. You would have to cut your opening slightly bigger to fit those fittings in versus what came originally with your pool. I have no issues with anything NOT using a skimmer basket...inlet suction is NOT a problem unless you take the cover off then decide to be cute....it will suprise you with it's power and you can just stick a hose in it and use a cheap brush/vacuum that is sold at most places.

The only thing I don't like is changing filters every week for me, BUT never have I tried Doc's suggestion of putting used filter in buckets and trying to clean and reuse them....that would certainly take a large expense down to virtually nothing. I will give it a shot before putting around 300+ dollars down for the sand filter/pump setup.

Bob E.

[PoolDoc]

From what I've been told, you can't clean the Intex cartridges very well -- you'll need to switch to the Unicel (or probably Filbur) cartridges to operate that way.

Also, the 2650 gallon system is a SWCG + copper ionizer hybrid system. If anyone with blonde hair gets in that pool, there will be trouble!! We don't recommend those.