Intex cartridge to sand filter changeover.

[Pappy]

We have an Intex 15ft X 48in pool. This will be the third summer we've had the pool. This year we upgraded form a small Intex cartridge filter to an Intex sand filter because we live in an area where water restrictions prohibit drain and refill and we opened to the dreaded "Swamp".

We stayed with Intex because:
- They are reasonably reliable (even though the have a relatively short life expectancy)
- Intex fittings are propriatery
- Price

We purchased Intex model #SF70110. It has a 3/4 hp pump and a 14 inch sand filter that holds 77 lbs of No. 20 silica sand. I'd recommend the smaller SF80110 unit (1/2 hp pump, 14 inch filter that holds 50 lbs.). The owner's manual indicates the SF80110 can be used on pools up to 19000 gallons.

Owners Manual - http://slink.intexdevelopment.com/b2...R0_1406_EN.pdf

I'm assuming you already have an Intex pool with a cartridge filter. If you have an "Intex Style" pool you can use an Intex filter system. You just have to buy the Itex through wall fittings. I THINK these instructions should work for all INTEX sand filters and SWCGs but I can't guarantee that.

PLAN AHEAD! Get EVERYTHING you need before you start. Amazon is probably the cheapest place to buy the pump/filter. The adapters are cheapest directly from Intex. The local Home Depot carries Quikcrete 50 lb pool filter sand (sku # 280836 in the Dallas, TX area) for less than $6.00 a bag. I went to the Quikcrete website and verified that their sand meets Intex specs.

Things you WILL need:
1. The sand filter
2. Hoses (these 3 models come with hoses, I'm not sure ALL do)
2. Sand (1 bag for SF801101, 2 for SF701101, 3 for SF601101)
3. #2 Phillips head screwdriver

Things you MAY need:
1. Intex B adapters
2. Intex Plunger valves
3. Through wall adapters (several parts, shown on page 4, owners manual)

Plunger valves are NOT necessary. They do provide a water cutoff and a 90 degree bend that lets hoses hang down rather than stand out perpendicular to the pool side.

Things you will do:

1. Make sure you have room for the unit! I'd recommend a 3ft X 3ft minimum. It should be level, flat and stable. Ours sets on square concrete pavers.

2. Set the unit where you want it. I set the valve on the filter tank and connected everything BEFORE I filled it with sand to make sure it was well placed. Think about how you are going to backwash. I take the return hose off the filter and connect it to the "Waste" side of the valve for now. If we have to backwash very often, I'll figure a way to direct the water to the lawn.

3. Fill it with sand PER owners manual instructions.

4. Tighten all connections.

5. Install the ring clamp. This is where the screwdriver comes in.

6. Fill the pool well above the hose connections.

7. Backwash FIRST! If you don't, you'll put LOTS of sand in your pool.

8. Turn the pump off, set the valve to filter, set the timer if you wish, turn the pump on.

I'll follow this up with a step by step of our install and some pictures too.

Pappy