another cartridge filter question

[mas985]

I don't know much about Advantage Manufacturing so I can't really comment on performance or reliability of that combo unit. But given the price, you can't expect too much.

http://www.advantageman.com/category_s/36.htm

[Charlie_R]

I noted in another thread that you are high in DIY, and short on $$. Same situation here.

Knowing that Intex/Summer Escapes and many other low cost starter pools have very poor filtration/circulation, I've been slowly working on my 15' x 48" Intex, trying to work out some of these inherent problems.

Here are a few pics of what I've been doing in that respect:

I have been able to pick up a pair of used 2500 gph units, One with a bad motor, and the other was leaking between pump and motor. I took the cartridge canisters from both, and using 1-1/2" PVC pipe and fittings, plumbed them in parallel. Using the good pump from one of them, I've come up with this:



I've given myself a spot for a third canister, if I can find one. Even with two, the filtration difference is noticeable. I do use Unicel cartridges in them (C-5315) giving me 30 sq ft of filter area. Still not as much as it should be by the 1:100 rule, but getting closer. Note: I do keep my pool a little fuller than Intex intended, so it calculates out to 4800 gal.

These canisters are easy to remove from the base, just a couple of clips on the transfer tube, and a large nut on the bottom of the canister.

I've also been hard plumbing my pool. I started with the returns, adding two using Hayward vinyl liner fittings with the 1-1/2" internal threads.







Doing this has given better water circulation in the pool, and definitely helps with keeping it clean and clear.

Yes, I used an electrician friend's trick and warmed the PVC pipe to bend it around the pool, allowing for less connections so lower potential for breakage/leakage. PVC will flex some in this situation, so should give a few good years of use.

I am also planning on installing a Hayward SP1091LX or similar through the wall skimmer, and a low suction port next year, to complete the hard plumbing.

I may try a cheap 1 hp pump, given that the Intex pumps aren't known for being very efficient.

Let me know if you have any questions on how I've done any of this.

[singingpond]

Charlie_R, thank you for taking the time to post this -- very cool! I had been wondering about using defunct units as filter housings; interesting to see that you have had success with this approach.

One question, regarding multiple return points -- does that mean you had to cut additional opening(s) in the pool liner? If so, no problems with doing that in a non-reinforced spot on the pool wall?

Since we happen to have a donut pool (LOTS of wall movement with swimmers in the water) we wouldn't be able to do hard plumbing all the way up to the pool... but your setup gives a lot of food for thought. Thanks again for posting the description and photos.

[Charlie_R]

Yes, I cut new holes in the pool liner. No I didn't add any reinforcement. Another forum I frequent has many people hard plumbing their Intex regular and ultra frame pools, with no reported problems. One of the main advantages of hard plumbing is the ability to upgrade to normal above ground pool pumps and filters.

If you are worried about it needing reinforcement, find someone who is replacing their pool or liner, and see if you can get either the whole liner or just part of it. You can use this to reinforce the areas you want to add intakes or returns. With yours being a donut, it would be a good idea. If you upgrade to either the regular frame or ultra frame, you could hard plumb. Actually, there is a flexible PVC available, that would handle the movement between the intake/returns, and hard PVC. Unfortunately it does get a bit pricey.

I don't know if you noticed in the pics, I've done a partial bury of the pool. If I'd have had more energy and less pain, I would have gone at least a foot deeper. This has had the effect of stabilizing the pool, even with it only buried to the band. I've had guests with kids in the pool, jumping off the ladder platform. Very little wall movement. Note that Intex doesn't like the idea, probably due to the potential of the legs rusting off below ground level. The pool liner itself will handle the dirt being up against it, no problems. I'll handle the leg problem if/when it happens.