Above Ground Pool Filter Issues - Advice Needed

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Ace302

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Jun 26, 2017
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This is our second season with our 18' Intex Ultra Frame setup (see signature).
For some reason the flow from the filter has been reduced during the last 4-6 months.
No issues during the winter - chemical levels have been good, water clear etc.
I even did a deep cleaning of the sand a few weeks ago but no noticeable improvement.
For the last few months I have been struggling with high levels of pollen in our area. I am having to skim it at lease twice per day but it has been a losing battle.
While the water is clear, it is not as clear as it was last year.

Not sure what to do at this point. Keep messing with the current pump/filter? Suggestions?
I am considering to upgrade to a new pump/filter but not sure if I should go with something like a Hayward S180T92S ProSeries 18 inch 1 HP sand filter or even a Hayward EC40C92S Perflex 1 HP D.E. filter.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
This is a long shot, but we had a pump fail on a hot tub once. Took the pump in to town to have it looked at and the guy pulled a pair of one of my sons' swim trunks out of the impeller. LOL

That said, it had no "pre-strainer basket" like a pool pump but sometimes things can get through some small openings.

The pump might just be starting to wear out, they aren't the highest quality things, though they are kind of ingenious and great for the price. Seenms like you should get more than a year or two, though. The only other thing I can think of is something broken in the filter. Does the flow on backwash seem the same?
 
Actually last week I took apart the pump and checked the impeller but didn't find any blockage. As PV2 mentioned, perhaps the pump is just wearing out. But after only 1 year?

At this point I am more concerned with the systems apparent inability to deal with the high pollen levels.
Will a larger sand filter help or should I seriously consider going to DE? Model Recommendations?
 
Ace302 said:
Actually last week I took apart the pump and checked the impeller but didn't find any blockage. As PV2 mentioned, perhaps the pump is just wearing out. But after only 1 year?

At this point I am more concerned with the systems apparent inability to deal with the high pollen levels.
Will a larger sand filter help or should I seriously consider going to DE? Model Recommendations?
Click to expand...

One year seems a little low for these, but maybe it ran dry for too long at some point? Or just could be a lemon too. Have you tried stockings or hair nets in your skimmer basket (do you have a skimmer basket?) That might be another option if you haven't done it yet - do the wall skimmer mod and use hair nets. I have been amazed at the fine dust they pick up so it doesn't even get to the filter! Also you can try a small amount of DE right in the sand filter, but if you are actually having flow problems, that might not be such a good idea.

Of course a larger filter might be the answer but you probably need a new pump more than anything.
 
Pv2 said:
One year seems a little low for these, but maybe it ran dry for too long at some point? Or just could be a lemon too. Have you tried stockings or hair nets in your skimmer basket (do you have a skimmer basket?) That might be another option if you haven't done it yet - do the wall skimmer mod and use hair nets. I have been amazed at the fine dust they pick up so it doesn't even get to the filter! Also you can try a small amount of DE right in the sand filter, but if you are actually having flow problems, that might not be such a good idea.

Of course a larger filter might be the answer but you probably need a new pump more than anything.
Click to expand...

Yes I have a skimmer and have been using the skimmer socks for about 4 months or so now.
I have also tried adding a little DE but can't add very much as my pressure will increase too much.
Looks like I will need to consider a new pump/filter.
 
Assuming the pump is fine, I would check first check the filter pressure.

Normal clean pressure on my tiny Intex sand filter (12") is 5psi. If pressure goes up, sand is dirty and in need of back washing. One psi on this little filter reduces flow to less than half. A blockage on the pool jet return side would also reduce flow and increase filter pressure.

If filter pressure is low, that's a blockage on the suction side. Most common culprit is a gunked up skimmer sock.

I would also set the filter to recirculate (bypass the sand bed) and watch for any changes in flow & pressure.

If hoses are clear of blockage, and filter on recirc still has low flow, it may be time....Good news is a more robust pump and filter should last many more years than this Intex did.
 
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