How to install swimming pool pump and sand filter

Trying to remember where each of the three hoses attach to your filter, pool and pump can quickly spell disaster if you mix up the connections. Correctly hook up your sand filter and pump to your above-ground pool for hours of summer fun. Place the sand filter close to the pump. Make sure to locate it near the skimmer and return on your pool. Ensure the ground is level beneath the pump and filer. Place the pump and filter on concrete blocks for additional stability.

Pumps can be hardwired to the breaker, or plug into an outdoor receptacle. You may have a separate switch that operates the pump. Regardless of how your pump connects to the circuit, turning off the breaker ensures the electricity is disconnected and allows you to connect the pump to the filter safely.

Slide hose clamps onto each end of your flexible pool hose. Connect one end of the pool hose to the bottom of the skimmer and the opposite end to the inlet port on your pump. If you have to downsize the pump, the cheapest thing to do is to replace the current impeller with the next smaller size. Do you have any suggestions? First, any debris that would normally be collected in the strainer bucket would go directly into your filter and second, you probably would not be able to prime you pump.

The filter tank would have to be completely full of water before the pump could suck water into the front end of the pump. Then you would also have the problem of how to direct the water to the desired function after the pump: waste, filter, backwash, etc. If not, what is the reason? Also when it starts to tip, you will be putting extra strain on the connecting piping and other equipment.

By putting directly on ground will it eroid faster and will it get tippy when water is drained out in winter? Click on the smaller label picture at the top right. Thanks for any h. Check all the connections between the pool skimmer and the pump.

Measure the inside diameter of the port fitting to be sure. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanx Reply. Generally the free end of the air release tube is placed at the top of the tank in the space between the sand and the top of the tank.

I suggest calling the manufacturer for more specific directions. As a top mounted multiport valve, directions do not tell me how the air release tube is installed which is coming from the base of the laterals.

Any help would be appreciated thanks in advance. If the valve is not on "Waste", you probably have a damaged spider valve in the multiport valve that is letting water out the Waste line. Should I have my filter on closed to fill the pool?

Help Reply. Are you trying to get the laterals out of the tank? Depending on the make of your sand filter, some laterals rotate up from the hub as shown here while other are individually screwed out of the hub.

The laterals don't bend. Is there a easy way to to do this? Can you shut that line off and try priming with only the regular filtering line open? Fill the pump for 5 minutes to get water back in the suction line. Also, if you had a lot of debris in your pool that went into a cartridge filter, you should clean that out good. If you have a sand filter, try replacing the top 6" of sand to get some flow so you can backwash times.

Before turning it off for the night I decided to vacuum the pool. Doing so I lost my prime-I proceeded to run through the start up procedure again, my hope is I didn't plug the system it will not fill with water. Any quick fix ideas?? Is it 1. Did you inspect and replace the O-ring? And if it still leaks, try wrapping layers of plumber tape around the drain port threads.

I tightened it as tight as I could but could not stop it from leaking. Any suggestions? And your can put a small amount of DE in the filter now.

Regardin the flakiness-- that is all gone. Its as if it all dissolved now, as i do not see any debris floating- just very cloudy water. No change after the filter ran three days straight. I also have a solar cover on top all week so there is no new debris falling in So whatever it is is just not filtering out even with new sand.

Sand when i checked in old pump did have larger old debri in it though even after several, prbably too many, backwashes. I was going go with zeolite filter media this time instead of sand Can i add cellulose or a small amount of DE rigt away or should i give several days of running before adding any extras to filter?

My bags of shock i believe have tri-chlor.. Should i put a different type of shock in when i shock for this weekend? This should be solved with the new pump and filter but you may have to backwash times. If there is no Rinse setting, you would Backwash then go to Filter.

Recirculate just bypasses the filter. Waste also bypasses the filter. See our guide on " How a Multiport Valve Operates ". Swamp green pool. Got the water to a cloudy blue before closing for winter. Opened a couple weeks ago and everything settled to bottom - white flakyness when I brushed it should have vac'd to waste but didnt know. Now water is very cloudy. The filters can be cleaned, but they require disassembly, which can be a laborious process.

Again, the exact price will depend on the size of your pool and the filtration system it requires. Sand filters are filled with a special no. This system works by keeping the sand in the filter housing, which is connected to the pool with intake and output hoses. This filter can capture particles ranging from microns. Glass filters are newer, but they are quite popular because they can filter particles as small as nine 9 microns. Unlike the jagged edges of sand, glass is smoothed to ensure that it can attract the finest particles and give you the cleanest results.

This is one of the most efficient options for pool filtration. It is more expensive to maintain and requires a bigger investment upfront, but it will give your pool the filtration that it requires for the cleanest water possible. These filters use a powder that dissolves and traps debris by sticking to the fabric of the filter housing.

It can trap debris as small as microns. Talk to local pros to get quotes for your pool filter installation Get Quotes. Pools come in all shapes and sizes. There are also above-ground and in-ground pools to consider, and each has its own requirements for a proper filtration system. You should always consult with a professional to determine which filter will be right for your pool, based both on its size and type, as well as any other factors that are deemed important.

If you have a saltwater pool, you will also need a specialty filtration system that may incur additional costs. A lot of above-ground pools are sold as packages that include a filtration system, pump, and everything that you need to install it and use it right away. Above-ground pools typically have sand filters or cartridge filters. DIY and professional options are available.

Saltwater pools can be filtered using any of the three options available. Sand filters can last years in a saltwater pool, offering an economical solution for those who need it. Cartridge filters may be a bit more expensive, depending on the type of cartridges that you need. Of course, the DE filter is the best choice for premium filtration in a saltwater pool.

It will be more expensive, but well worth the investment. Like freshwater pools, the cost of the filter will depend on the exact size of the pool and type of filtration chosen. If you have an in-ground pool , you have a lot more options for the types of filters that you can use. In-ground pool filters are often more complex and expensive, so professional installation is a must. Having a pool filter installed is something that should always be done by a professional.

There are DIY filtration solutions available for above-ground pools, but the initial installation is always best done by a professional. They will know how to make sure that everything is properly connected and will have the tools to do the job right.

The installation of pool filters is typically performed by a pool installation technician or a plumber. Electricians may be needed to assist with any wiring required, but usually, the work can be done without them.

Labor is typically charged at an hourly rate. The entire project should take one to three hours to complete. Replacing a pool filter may cost less than a new installation. If you are upgrading to a better filtration system, it may be more expensive. You may also only need to replace certain parts of the system, such as filtration sand or the filter gasket 1 , which will incur a minimal cost.

Replacing the gasket in your filter may be required to ensure a good seal. Even if your filtration system is still in working order, the gasket could wear out or become damaged over time, requiring replacement. Replacing a pool filter is not something that you can really schedule. Although there will come a point when it is better to replace a filter than to keep cleaning it, it is more about the condition of the filter and its ability to keep your pool clean.

You can also consult a pool tech to determine the state of your filter and when it may need to be replaced. Find the best pool filter installers in your neighborhood Find Pros. If there is not a need for a full replacement, you may be able to get your pool filter cleaned.

Routine cleaning may be required for some filters, usually in month intervals. You will also know that it is time to clean when your pressure gauge hits PSI higher than where it should be operating. When performing your pool maintenance, see what issues you are having with filtration and perform a visual inspection of your filter system. Regular cleaning can help keep your filter in good condition and give you more life out of it.

Knowing the size of the filter that you need makes a big difference in pricing. In order to determine the size of the filter that your pool needs, use the equations below. Once you have this number, you should choose a pool filter that meets or exceeds this capacity in order to keep your pool clean. If you are sizing filters by the square foot, they need to have about one square foot per 10, gallons for appropriate filtration capacity. There are several brands of filtration systems on the market today.

Some brands are better-known for certain types of filters, such as Intex, which is a popular choice for budget-friendly above-ground pools. There are also brands like Hayward, that are designed for all types of pools and offer premium filtration options at a slightly higher price point. Although a lot of the decision regarding which pool filter is going to be best will be circumstantial based on your pool, the leading brands include:.

Any list or guide that provides reviews of the top pool filters will all include multiple models from these three brands, proving that when you choose them, you will be choosing the optimal filtration system. Again, as with all things related to your pool filter installation, it may be best to consult with a pool tech to choose the ideal model and brand for your needs.

Part of owning a pool is regular maintenance and cleaning of the filtration system. Every type of pool filter has its suggested maintenance requirements. From routine cleaning to how to identify potential repair or replacement needs, there are some things every pool owner should know.

Sand filters are relatively simple to maintain. Regular cleaning should be done when the system is running PSI higher than it normally does-- this increased pressure can be a sign of dirt buildup that needs to be removed.

Backwashing the system is a quick and easy way to re-filter the sand and clean the system and should be done weekly. You may also need to replace lost or dirty sand every few years to maintain the system. Cartridge filters typically last for years and will only need to be cleaned about every six months or so. If there is a storm or another event that causes excess debris buildup, you may need to clean it sooner than the six-month mark.