Quote Originally Posted by PoolDoc View Post
I've been checking on this, and bought some Summer Escapes cartridges myself, so I could measure them. It turns out the C-4306 filter is the designated Unicel replacement for the Summer Escapes "A" & "C" cartridges. It is NOT as high quality a cartridge as the C-4607 Intex "C". The 4607 *may* work, but I don't know.
From the Unicel replacement guide, it does seem that the 4306 matches the dimensions of the Summer Escapes cartridge, but it is made of a lighter (3 oz.) material, as opposed to the material for the 4607 (4 oz.). I'll probably get one of each and see how they work.

Regarding sizing -- Intex-type pool equipment is undersized in most respects. That's one reason it's so hard to clean them up, after an algae episode.

But, it's a fair trade-off. The original US-made softside pools were very expensive. When you consider that, 8 years ago you might have paid $2,500 for a US made 18' round pool, with the same *functional* utility as this one -- $899 @ Amazon:
Intex 54925EG Ultra Frame Pool Set, 18-Feet by 52-Inch, Gray
And, when you consider that THIS pool -- $349@ Walmart.com:
Summer Escapes Round 18' x 42" Metal-Walled Swimming Pool
is currently on summer clearance for $199@ my local Sams Club, you're definitely getting a deal, even when you consider that probably 10% of Summer Escapes pools have some severe warranty issues.
Yes, it's that low price that gets new potential pool owners interested -- we would never have spent $2500 on a backyard pool, but now that we've had a 1000 gallon donut pool (original cost < $100) for several summers, we've realized how much fun this is for the kids. Spending another $200 on a larger pool (as we just did) was a pretty easy decision. As long as the pool itself doesn't have major leakage problems (crossing my fingers), we can deal with any other necessary equipment repairs/upgrades, and still consider it a good deal. Even the challenge of pool maintenance is sort of fun, especially after finding the strikingly sensible information on this forum re pool chemistry.