I have an 9 x 18 ultra xtr pool with the intex 1200 gph pump and sand filter; I also have the intex CG2667 SWG (which can be used with a 700-3200 gph pump).
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my pool. (I am a first-timer, can you tell?) It is in our shaded, wooded backyard and I keep an intex solar cover on it when we are not swimming. The issue is that the filter just is NOT keeping up. Every couple of days (and sometimes every day if we swim), the flow drops to near nothing. It has been this way since we first started the pool.
At this point, I am ready to drop another bit of cash and get the Intex 2800 gph pump and sand filter. (2800 Gph Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump, 110-120V with GFCI). My concern is that it says on the product page that the minimum pool size is 5,500 gallons and my pool is only 4,500. However, when I look around this forum, I don't see any reason there should be a minimum pool size so long as the pump and filter are sized correctly to each other. It also falls within the approved gph for my swg.
The big question is: IS my pool to small for the intex 2800 pump and sand filter?
The smaller question is can I solve this problem without buying a new filter/pump. For those of you that like to problem solve, Here are the things I have thought about/tried:
Could it be a chemical issue? I don't think so. My numbers are good and the pool is clear. PH 7.5, CYA 70, FC 5.5 (today, because I didn't run my SWG last night because no filter flow again. Usually runs between 5-10 depending on how long I run my swg) CC 0 (Using TFP-100 PRO kit)
Could it be a pump issue? No. It runs with full flow when using recirculate. The flow drops to near nothing when I put it on filter.
Could it be the sand? I changed the sand (and the brand of sand) after the first two weeks. Marginal improvement for a few days.
How about a deep clean of the filter? I did this, using the directions on this forum. (hose in the sand, etc). Some stuff came out; then water ran then ran clear. It was much better for a week. Should I have to do this every few weeks?
What about the pressure gauge? It shows in the green after I backflow and rinse. It goes up as the flow rate goes down. When it hits the line between yellow and green, the flow becomes almost non-existant.
Am I backflowing/rinsing long enough? I backflow beyond when the water looks clear (which is not very long) and rinse for 1:30 using a timer (because I thought that might be the problem. Sometimes I let it backflow a lot longer hoping for better results, but no change.
Could it be the pollen from the wooded backyard? This is my best guess. I'm hoping a bigger filter can deal better with it?!
Is vacuuming a problem? I tried a pump vacuum once; it didn't really work because the flow rate was low. (it's never really HIGH.) I now vacuum with a hose vacuum, so that shouldn't be affecting the filter for the pool.
Could I have a lemon? Maybe. I don't want to deal with Intex customer service, though, and would prefer to just buy the bigger pump if I have to replace.
As you can tell, I've been working on this problem (and scouring this forum for solutions) since we put the pool up in June. Thanks so much for any help?
Recap: Big question: Can I run the Intex 2800 pump/sand filter with my 4,500 gallon intex 9 x 18 pool?
Smaller question: any advice for any way to fix my flow rate that I have not yet tried?
THANK YOU so much! I learn so much by searching on this forum!!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my pool. (I am a first-timer, can you tell?) It is in our shaded, wooded backyard and I keep an intex solar cover on it when we are not swimming. The issue is that the filter just is NOT keeping up. Every couple of days (and sometimes every day if we swim), the flow drops to near nothing. It has been this way since we first started the pool.
At this point, I am ready to drop another bit of cash and get the Intex 2800 gph pump and sand filter. (2800 Gph Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump, 110-120V with GFCI). My concern is that it says on the product page that the minimum pool size is 5,500 gallons and my pool is only 4,500. However, when I look around this forum, I don't see any reason there should be a minimum pool size so long as the pump and filter are sized correctly to each other. It also falls within the approved gph for my swg.
The big question is: IS my pool to small for the intex 2800 pump and sand filter?
The smaller question is can I solve this problem without buying a new filter/pump. For those of you that like to problem solve, Here are the things I have thought about/tried:
Could it be a chemical issue? I don't think so. My numbers are good and the pool is clear. PH 7.5, CYA 70, FC 5.5 (today, because I didn't run my SWG last night because no filter flow again. Usually runs between 5-10 depending on how long I run my swg) CC 0 (Using TFP-100 PRO kit)
Could it be a pump issue? No. It runs with full flow when using recirculate. The flow drops to near nothing when I put it on filter.
Could it be the sand? I changed the sand (and the brand of sand) after the first two weeks. Marginal improvement for a few days.
How about a deep clean of the filter? I did this, using the directions on this forum. (hose in the sand, etc). Some stuff came out; then water ran then ran clear. It was much better for a week. Should I have to do this every few weeks?
What about the pressure gauge? It shows in the green after I backflow and rinse. It goes up as the flow rate goes down. When it hits the line between yellow and green, the flow becomes almost non-existant.
Am I backflowing/rinsing long enough? I backflow beyond when the water looks clear (which is not very long) and rinse for 1:30 using a timer (because I thought that might be the problem. Sometimes I let it backflow a lot longer hoping for better results, but no change.
Could it be the pollen from the wooded backyard? This is my best guess. I'm hoping a bigger filter can deal better with it?!
Is vacuuming a problem? I tried a pump vacuum once; it didn't really work because the flow rate was low. (it's never really HIGH.) I now vacuum with a hose vacuum, so that shouldn't be affecting the filter for the pool.
Could I have a lemon? Maybe. I don't want to deal with Intex customer service, though, and would prefer to just buy the bigger pump if I have to replace.
As you can tell, I've been working on this problem (and scouring this forum for solutions) since we put the pool up in June. Thanks so much for any help?
Recap: Big question: Can I run the Intex 2800 pump/sand filter with my 4,500 gallon intex 9 x 18 pool?
Smaller question: any advice for any way to fix my flow rate that I have not yet tried?
THANK YOU so much! I learn so much by searching on this forum!!
If not 