Questions about bestway agp sizing

[abcosgrove]

I have the same pool. My pump seemed to be really loosing output after a few days and I can tell since the PSI goes up quite a bit. Couldn't really figure it out since backwashing didn't discharge much dirty water at all, and PSI would go back up shortly after.

I took the top assembly off the sand filter (valve?) and found on top of the sand was a 1/8"-1/4" layer of cottonwood seed, which had almost turned into a thick bed of fabric. After cleaning this out my pump/filter has kept the water moving much better. Looking at getting a skimmer sock or netting to catch some of the cottonwood seed before it gets to the sand filter now. Might be worth checking that if your flow doesn't improve for long.

 

[Pv2]

I have the same pool. My pump seemed to be really loosing output after a few days and I can tell since the PSI goes up quite a bit. Couldn't really figure it out since backwashing didn't discharge much dirty water at all, and PSI would go back up shortly after.

I took the top assembly off the sand filter (valve?) and found on top of the sand was a 1/8"-1/4" layer of cottonwood seed, which had almost turned into a thick bed of fabric. After cleaning this out my pump/filter has kept the water moving much better. Looking at getting a skimmer sock or netting to catch some of the cottonwood seed before it gets to the sand filter now. Might be worth checking that if your flow doesn't improve for long.

disposable hair nets! cheap and easy. Amazon.com : hair nets food service

 

[koffey]

I have the same pool. My pump seemed to be really loosing output after a few days and I can tell since the PSI goes up quite a bit. Couldn't really figure it out since backwashing didn't discharge much dirty water at all, and PSI would go back up shortly after.

I took the top assembly off the sand filter (valve?) and found on top of the sand was a 1/8"-1/4" layer of cottonwood seed, which had almost turned into a thick bed of fabric. After cleaning this out my pump/filter has kept the water moving much better. Looking at getting a skimmer sock or netting to catch some of the cottonwood seed before it gets to the sand filter now. Might be worth checking that if your flow doesn't improve for long.

I find that after vacuuming the pool I need to run at least a rinsing. The flow to the inlet has been amazing since performing this procedure after ever cleaning. Today, the water and the pool is a clear sparkling blue so hoping I can get some overnight testing however this week it's going to be pretty miserable with all the rain. I'll have to post some before and after pics.

 

[koffey]

First pic is first cleaning, second is next day after cleaning and this is today after cleaning

 

[redmaxx]

We have this pool and it's a good little pool, except for all the accessories and filter it came with. However for 700 from Costco (including shipping) worth it.

We have so far:

• Added an Intex over the wall skimmer
• Upgraded to a 2800 gph Intex sand filter with Dr Dryden's Activate media
• Added a solar cover
• Ditched the solar heater until it gets colder again
• Got another Intex over the wall parts kit (the intake line screw on adapter and clear hose) off Amazon, plus an adapter from Ace to allow us to connect a Walmart vac hose and vacuum head.
• Got an Intex ZX300 robot vac which is currently on trial. It is a little hit and miss and needs supervision because it gets itself tangled up occasionally.
• Upgraded to two CCX-AG steps because the ladder it comes with is eh, not good for my size.
• Going to be adding a plunger valve to the suction side lines. We had a backwash hose blowout in the middle of algaegate and it took 30 minutes to resolve. No one knew where the stoppers went so we had the pool draining itself all over us. Never again.

We weathered a massive algae takeover with a SLAM, and lots of backwashing and vacuuming to waste. Oh and scrubbing the walls 3 times per day. I regret cheaping out and not buying a FAS-DPD kit to start with.

Pool gallons are 6,000 (give or take a bit based on fill level).

 

[koffey]

I got a bestway over the wall skimmer basket, same as the intex one, came with the vacuum kit. Works well

I have the fasdpd kit and the funny part is; the water was green when my chem results were inline with what was acceptable. It was lazy and inexperience in my end that caused my issue, not anything related to the equipment or lack of fasdpd testing.

 

[koffey]

So, I picked up a solar cover and had it on the pool for two days, I'm officially out of slam, FC loss was less and 1 last night, lost 3-4ppm over two days. This is the pool just now. Thank you all for the help.

 

[redmaxx]

So, I picked up a solar cover and had it on the pool for two days, I'm officially out of slam, FC loss was less and 1 last night, lost 3-4ppm over two days. This is the pool just now. Thank you all for the help.

I'm noticing your water level is low. Don't you find the sides to be a bit wobbly? We keep the level to the bottom of the printed pattern or max one stitch (there's about 4).

 

[koffey]

I'm noticing your water level is low. Don't you find the sides to be a bit wobbly? We keep the level to the bottom of the printed pattern or max one stitch (there's about 4).

I've never filled it to the top of the liner. The manual always indicated that 90% should be volume and according to my calculations this is around that mark. The top of the white on the liner would be 100% which is not recommended.

 

[redmaxx]

I've never filled it to the top of the liner. The manual always indicated that 90% should be volume and according to my calculations this is around that mark. The top of the white on the liner would be 100% which is not recommended.

Hmm I wonder what's going on with mine then, because if I don't fill it there the sides rock quite a lot. In addition, the chemicals I add match the expected change based on a 6k gallon fill with it at that level. I guess I can measure again to see how full mine should be.

 

[redmaxx]

I've never filled it to the top of the liner. The manual always indicated that 90% should be volume and according to my calculations this is around that mark. The top of the white on the liner would be 100% which is not recommended.

Appears you are correct! I was calculating based on 90% of 48 inches but that's to the top of the frame. Bottom of the pool to the top of the liner (where it opens up for the vertical support poles) is 45 inches. Recalculating on that, I'm overfilled by 1.75" on one end after recent rains brought it up to the top stitch. I measured both sides and ours is off by 0.75" from one end to the other so that might explain why, if the low side is the fill limit, then we end up with some sway on the sides of the pool frame.

 

[koffey]

Appears you are correct! I was calculating based on 90% of 48 inches but that's to the top of the frame. Bottom of the pool to the top of the liner (where it opens up for the vertical support poles) is 45 inches. Recalculating on that, I'm overfilled by 1.75" on one end after recent rains brought it up to the top stitch. I measured both sides and ours is off by 0.75" from one end to the other so that might explain why, if the low side is the fill limit, then we end up with some sway on the sides of the pool frame.

Thank you! Yep, because you're pool is off slightly would explain it. Mine is 100% level, which I'm surprised about, lol

Considering yours was filled to the max, you'll be fine

 

[ChiknNutz]

We have this pool and it's a good little pool, except for all the accessories and filter it came with. However for 700 from Costco (including shipping) worth it.

We have so far:

• Added an Intex over the wall skimmer
• Upgraded to a 2800 gph Intex sand filter with Dr Dryden's Activate media
• Added a solar cover
• Ditched the solar heater until it gets colder again
• Got another Intex over the wall parts kit (the intake line screw on adapter and clear hose) off Amazon, plus an adapter from Ace to allow us to connect a Walmart vac hose and vacuum head.
• Got an Intex ZX300 robot vac which is currently on trial. It is a little hit and miss and needs supervision because it gets itself tangled up occasionally.
• Upgraded to two CCX-AG steps because the ladder it comes with is eh, not good for my size.
• Going to be adding a plunger valve to the suction side lines. We had a backwash hose blowout in the middle of algaegate and it took 30 minutes to resolve. No one knew where the stoppers went so we had the pool draining itself all over us. Never again.

We weathered a massive algae takeover with a SLAM, and lots of backwashing and vacuuming to waste. Oh and scrubbing the walls 3 times per day. I regret cheaping out and not buying a FAS-DPD kit to start with.

Pool gallons are 6,000 (give or take a bit based on fill level).

I am in the beginning process of installing this pool as well. I've not yet opened up everything to see what is there. Regarding the "over the wall skimmer" you added, is there not a skimmer with the original pool kit or is this in addition to whatever is included. I see many references saying the filter that comes with it is not sufficient, did you change that out pretty quickly or did you use the one in the kit for a while?

 

[koffey]

I am in the beginning process of installing this pool as well. I've not yet opened up everything to see what is there. Regarding the "over the wall skimmer" you added, is there not a skimmer with the original pool kit or is this in addition to whatever is included. I see many references saying the filter that comes with it is not sufficient, did you change that out pretty quickly or did you use the one in the kit for a while?

There is no over the wall skimmer. I ordered the Flowclear Deluxe Maintenance Kit, came with a vacuum and over wall skimmer. The sand filter that came with this pool is more than sufficient.

 

[ChiknNutz]

We have this pool and it's a good little pool, except for all the accessories and filter it came with. However for 700 from Costco (including shipping) worth it.

We have so far:

• Added an Intex over the wall skimmer
• Upgraded to a 2800 gph Intex sand filter with Dr Dryden's Activate media
• Added a solar cover
• Ditched the solar heater until it gets colder again
• Got another Intex over the wall parts kit (the intake line screw on adapter and clear hose) off Amazon, plus an adapter from Ace to allow us to connect a Walmart vac hose and vacuum head.
• Got an Intex ZX300 robot vac which is currently on trial. It is a little hit and miss and needs supervision because it gets itself tangled up occasionally.
• Upgraded to two CCX-AG steps because the ladder it comes with is eh, not good for my size.
• Going to be adding a plunger valve to the suction side lines. We had a backwash hose blowout in the middle of algaegate and it took 30 minutes to resolve. No one knew where the stoppers went so we had the pool draining itself all over us. Never again.

We weathered a massive algae takeover with a SLAM, and lots of backwashing and vacuuming to waste. Oh and scrubbing the walls 3 times per day. I regret cheaping out and not buying a FAS-DPD kit to start with.

Pool gallons are 6,000 (give or take a bit based on fill level).

Does this mean you have two skimmers, one at each of the two inlet hoses?

 

[koffey]

Does this mean you have two skimmers, one at each of the two inlet hoses?

View attachment 361784

Only one. When you install a skimmer, it really needs one of the outlets blocked. Same with the vacuum. Otherwise, it doesn't have enough suction.

See if I can find you a photo.

Ok, not a great photo but this is the over the wall skimmer. I've circled the blocked outlet. You see the hose, vacuuming in this pic, connected to the other. When vacuum is done, just reconnect the basket.

Found another 'better' pic.

 

[redmaxx]

Only one. When you install a skimmer, it really needs one of the outlets blocked. Same with the vacuum. Otherwise, it doesn't have enough suction.

See if I can find you a photo.

Ok, not a great photo but this is the over the wall skimmer. I've circled the blocked outlet. You see the hose, vacuuming in this pic, connected to the other. When vacuum is done, just reconnect the basket.

Found another 'better' pic.

I've found I do fine with both outlets open on the bigger Intex filter. Now I just leave the skimmer and pool vacuum hooked up. We switched to the XtremepowerUS one here:

Amazon.com : XtremepowerUS Premium Automatic Suction Vacuum-generic Climb Wall Pool Cleaner Sweeper In-Ground Suction Side + Hose Set : Swimming Pool Suction Cleaners : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : XtremepowerUS Premium Automatic Suction Vacuum-generic Climb Wall Pool Cleaner Sweeper In-Ground Suction Side + Hose Set : Swimming Pool Suction Cleaners : Garden & Outdoor

smile.amazon.com

It does a good job, but it occasionally gets stuck on one section of the pool near the skimmer. Likely due to the skimmer blocking the hose from moving. It needs the hose to move to drag it around the pool.