Trying to figure this all out! OVERWHELMED!

OK, had to get that out of the way! :goodjob:

It could be that the intex pump is a little on the low side. On my two speed pump, my filter runs around 12Lbs on high and 4-5 on low. It may be that all the Intex can achieve is 2Lbs with clean sand. Will have to see what others say.
 
I'm very curious to see how things comes out. I agree, this thread made for a pretty good read and I've got to commend you on your patience and commitment to this thing. I'm in the pool business myself and in my neck of the woods, the customer who would stay on top of something like this is rare =) I was just shaking my head reading as I saw you had ordered a Hayward sand filter but no accompanying pump to replace the Intex. First off, I'm dying to know the plumbing configuration you utilized to get those proprietary Intex hoses to fit onto the Hayward filter. I just have a sinking feeling that you're not going to get the kind of results you're looking for with this filter without an upgrade to your pump. But hey, the water looks good and you're latest reading look great so good luck! Waiting with baited breath on that plumbing info =)
 
If the new filter was causing a problem the gauge would read high. If you removed the filter cartridge from the Intex filter the sand filter might just be that much more efficient. Or, since the gauge is reading low, you either haven't gotten the pump primed correctly, or the gauge is broken.
 
I'm sure there were instructions there telling you how far to fill the filter with sand. Just thought I'd ask that as well since the question popped into my head. On mine, totally different brand, it said to only fill it halfway with sand.

Congrats on the swimmable pool. I know you have to be thrilled.

Steve
 
AlphaChaotic said:
I'm very curious to see how things comes out. I agree, this thread made for a pretty good read and I've got to commend you on your patience and commitment to this thing. I'm in the pool business myself and in my neck of the woods, the customer who would stay on top of something like this is rare =) I was just shaking my head reading as I saw you had ordered a Hayward sand filter but no accompanying pump to replace the Intex. First off, I'm dying to know the plumbing configuration you utilized to get those proprietary Intex hoses to fit onto the Hayward filter. I just have a sinking feeling that you're not going to get the kind of results you're looking for with this filter without an upgrade to your pump. But hey, the water looks good and you're latest reading look great so good luck! Waiting with baited breath on that plumbing info =)

I'm glad this has been interesting to read. Felt bad it was getting soooo long! :sleep: The setup went well actually. I had to buy new 1 1/2 inch hoses because the the ones that came with the 1500 pump wouldn't work (had those ring connectors on the ends and didn't clamp well). I bought new connectors that are threaded to go into the filter and have an elbow to clamp the hoses to it. It was a tight fit but I got the hoses on and it's working! I clamped the other end to the pump and it went on fine. Now, where the hose hooks back to the return on the pool was tricky but I pulled the plastic ring insert out of the 1 inch hose and stuck it inside the 1 1/2 inch hose. It snapped in and I clamped that for a tight fit. I was scratching my head at how easy it was. Didn't seem it would be. I'll take photos when I get home this afternoon. I scrubbed the pool really good last night and stirred all the dirt off of the bottom. This morning the water was clear but I still need to vacuum. We've had lots of rain and I have several trees that like to dirty the pool. My parents have the intex 1500 gph and it works wonderful for them but they don't have ANY trees around so it's not working nearly as hard as mine does.

Yes, I agree that I need to upgrade the pump but my penny jar is empty and I need to work with what I have for now. Granted, I've only spent about $300 for the new filter, the intex pump, connectors, hoses, vacuum, skimmer, bleach, etc. I know if you want to have a pool no matter how small you have to have the right equipment. I really think the Intex 1500 gph filter/pump works well ONLY if you don't have trees nearby and you NEVER get algae!!!! A better pump is high on my list but I'll have to wait until the penny jar fills back up.

Thanks all for hanging in there with me. I swear I have OCD and don't give up easy but it really has been a kick in the pants!
 
JasonLion,
I took the intex filter out and I'm only using the sand filter. I primed the pump as I normally did (unscrewed the cap and waited for the air to escape and water to splew out the top). I wondered myself about the gauge.

Steve,
The instructions said to use 50 lbs. of pool sand and fill it within 6 inches from the top. I bought (1) 50 lb. bag, covered the pipe hole as instructed and poured the whole bag in. It came within 6-7 inches from the top.

Frustratedpoolmom,
I mean that the pressure of the water coming out the return is as strong as it was before I added the sand filter. I was pleased with that and made me think I must have done something right.

AND NO LEAKS! :mrgreen:
 

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austinsmom01 said:
JasonLion,
I took the intex filter out and I'm only using the sand filter. I primed the pump as I normally did (unscrewed the cap and waited for the air to escape and water to splew out the top). I wondered myself about the gauge.

Steve,
The instructions said to use 50 lbs. of pool sand and fill it within 6 inches from the top. I bought (1) 50 lb. bag, covered the pipe hole as instructed and poured the whole bag in. It came within 6-7 inches from the top.

Frustratedpoolmom,
I mean that the pressure of the water coming out the return is as strong as it was before I added the sand filter. I was pleased with that and made me think I must have done something right.

AND NO LEAKS! :mrgreen:

I was hoping that's what you meant. I think you should be pleased. It sounds like everything is as it should be and like you said before a new pump will have to wait. I would expect if it's not filtering properly you'll see you water begin to turn cloudy or dirty within a day or two, you wouldn't have similar water flow from the return as you did before. I say we have a few margaritas while we wait.....it's 5:00 somewhere, right? :wink:
 
Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse.....It has. My head hurts so bad from a headache right now. I came home and checked the pool. There was water in the pressure gauge (from all the *&^$#! rain) and it didn't look tight. So I turned the gauge to tighten it and drain the water out and it split the plastic on the top of the filter right where the gauge screws in. It's a hairline crack enough that water is now dripping out. I said a few choice words, turned off the pump, plugged the pool and lifted the handle on the filter to let the water release from the filter top. I dried everything off and got the apoxy and added a little to the crack. I let it sit but I guess it wasn't cured yet when I turned the pump back on and it's dripping again. Before I throw myself into the pool and lie flat on the bottom until I stop breathing, will someone tell me what to do? pppplllllleeeeeeeeezzzz? :evil:
 
Now that my head isn't throbbing anymore, I epoxied it again and now I'm letting it sit until it is completely dry before turning it back on. I know, I know, everyone is laughing right now saying what an idiot! Stupid Me! What was I thinking? :hammer:

If the epoxy doesn't work again, anyone suggest a certain glue?
 
Austinsmom,

As far as I'm aware, there's not a glue/epoxy out there that will hold that pressure. I've tried numerous things out in the field and everything I've tried has blown right off as soon as I turn the pump back on. I will say that I don't have any experience in this exact situation as it relates to an Intex/Hayward setup. The pressure coming off the Intex pump may indeed not be enough to blow your patch off but more than likely, it will. Contact Hayward for warranty information. You have at least a year on that.
 
Not having a good day. It's raining cats and dogs. I went out to put the plug in the hole. I left it to dry overnight. I wrapped the plug fitting a few times with tephlon tape and it was a tight fit. It's not in all the way but it's holding for now. The crack is so fine and runs up the top part of the threaded hole. Pool is dirty from all the rain and the fact I haven't been able to get out and scrub. I ordered the pump on ebay and the listing said it came with the warranty so I'm in the process of contacting the company customer service. I feel defeated.
 

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