Many Pool keepers struggle to keep their pool waters clean. If you’re also one of those people looking for how to keep your INTEX pool water clean in the right way, you’re at the right place. We’ll help you understand your pool’s requirements and guide you through the dos and Don’ts for your pool.
When you purchase your INTEX above-ground swimming pool, a small filter pump is also included in the set. But it does not seem to show good enough results and needs replacement every two weeks, which is a great headache.
Hence, we recommend you purchase an INTEX Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump and you won’t have to deal with everyday struggles to filter your pool. The INTEX Krystal Clear pump provides you clean water, as clear as a crystal.
What is Sand Filtration?
Sand Filtration is a Water Filtration System to keep your above-ground INTEX pools clean and filtered. This process uses a Sand filter pump in order to pump the dirty and unclean water out of the pool.
The filtration process works in a way that all the dirt and debris are trapped by the sand while the clean and filtered water is returned to the pool. This is how Sand filtration keeps your pool water healthy and dirt-free.
Are Sand Filter Pumps Any Good?
Sand Filter Pumps are the best pumps you’ll find for your Pool’s cleaning. They are way better than the Cartridge filters that come along with your pool purchase. Sand filters clean the pool water in a better and faster way than any other filtration system.
Another very good thing about the Sand filters is that they require very little maintenance. The sand grains remain in the filter for multiple seasons before they need any replacement. Although the Sand Filter pump is alone enough to provide sufficient cleanliness, if you still want better results, you can pair it up with INTEX Saltwater System.
How Much Sand is Sufficient Enough for The Filter?
The amount of sand required obviously depends on the size of your filter. Because the above-ground pools are now available in different sizes and shapes, along with filters of different sizes, so the conditions may vary.
When you purchase the pool set, it comes with the instructions which also include that you have to buy the grade 20 Silica sand media and the sand filter should then be filled by yourself. So, an idea given by the sand filter pump owners for the amount of sand required is:
- If you have a sand filter of 1200 or 2100 GPH, then one 50 lbs. bag of pool filter sand would be enough.
- If you have a sand filter of 3000 GPH, you’ll probably need about 125 lbs. of sand.
What Type of Sand Should Be Used?
It is very important to always use the recommended type of sand; the one suggested in the instructions that come along your pool set. In case it has not been mentioned in the instructions, it is 20-grade Silica sand that is most commonly used in the Sand filtration process and is most effective as well.
The grain size of grade 20 Silica ranges between 0.45 to 0.85 millimeters.
Glass media is also an option for filtration but it is less commonly used. It probably will last for up to 8 years before it requires replacement. The best suitable size of glass particles is almost the same as that for Silica, which is between 0.4 to 0.8 millimeters.
IMPORTANT: Never use the play area and for the pool filter. Always use the recommended type.
How Often is the Sand Replacement Required?
Sand Filter Pumps do not require sand replacement very often. Under normal conditions, they can work great for as long as 5 years without any maintenance or replacement required.
But if the pool is installed in an area where there are high air contaminants, dust or debris, or leaves falling from the surrounding trees, such conditions will require frequent backwashing. Under these circumstances, the sand may be needed to change after every 2 to 3 years.
What Are the Important Features of INTEX Sand Filter Pump?
The INTEX Sand Filters are hyped for obvious good reasons. Here are some important features:
- INTEX Krystal Clear Sand Filter helps you clean your pool water like any nonother of its type. The sand provides great water filtration and results in healthy pool water.
- Its 6-functional control valve has a lot for you in the package. It helps you filter, backwash, and rinse in the first round. Then recirculate, drain and finally close the system in the second round.
- It also has a built-in 24-hour timer to make it easy for you to maintain the pool’s cleanliness. For the automatic operation or the timer, it can be set with 2 to 12-hour preset cycles.
- The in-built GFCI that is, the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter ensures the safe shut-off of the filter.
- Moreover, the Krystal Sand Filter provides a flow rate of 3000 Gallons in one hour. This is an ideal filter for the above-ground pools of 16 Feet or above.
- Also, the pump does not require any maintenance every now and then. The only thing it requires is the replacement of sand after every five years.
- The complete set includes a Pressure Gauge, Heavy Duty Tank, 6-functional Valve, Strainer Basket, and Built-in timer.
What Can Be The Possible Causes for Pressure Gauge Failure?
There could be eight possible and most common reasons for a Pressure Gauge to fail.
- Mechanical Vibration
- Pulsation
- Extreme Temperature
- Pressure Spikes
- Overpressure
- Corrosion
- Clogging
- Mishandling or Abuse
What Functions Does the 6-Way Valve have?
There are 6 different settings available on this 6-way valve. They help in managing the water flow and cleaning processes.
Here are the 6 functions of the valve:
- Filter: This function makes the pool water pass through the sand filter and back into the pool.
- Backwash: It serves the purpose of cleaning the sand filter.
- Rinse: After the backwash thing, this function is used to rinse the sand grains.
- Drain: This simply drains the pool or decreases the water level in the pool.
- Recirculate: Now the pool water is again circulated. But this time, without having to pass through the sand filter.
- Close: It simply stops the entire water flow.
Note: The Close function should never be activated while the pump is running.
What Precautions Should Be Taken Before the Installation of Sand Filter?
Before you install the Sand Filter Pump, here are a few things to be taken care of.
- First of all, make sure the ground is leveled where you plan to install the Sand Filter Pump.
- The pump should be under a shelter in order to provide it protection from the rain, moisture, extreme cold, or extremely hot temperatures.
- The motor of the pump might sometimes get overheated. To prevent it from overheating, it requires ventilation.
- Make sure you install the INTEX Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump for only the non-permanent above-ground pools. It does not work for the in-ground pools.
How to Clean the Sand Filter?
To clean the Sand Filter, select the Backwash setting on the 6-way Valve. This will reverse the flow of water. The water will now pass through the sand filter and move out of the Drain. This cleans the Sand filter completely.
Now set the 6-way Valve to Rinse setting. This will level the sand after Backwashing it.
How Are the Sand Filters Better Than the Cartridge Filters?
The Cartridge filters do not work as great as the Sand filters do. Also, they require replacement after every few weeks which is a complete headache. You obviously wouldn’t want to replace the filters every now and then.
Comparatively, Sand filters work great for years. They do not require any maintenance at all. All they require is replacement after 2 to 5 years. The period for replacement depends upon how good your filters are and how much dirt or debris has been collected by your above-ground swimming pool.
Conclusion
Sand Filters are an amazing option because they are pretty much easy to maintain and keep your pool water sanitized and clean.
The most important thing to be noted is that the Sand Filters can be installed only for the above-ground swimming pools. They do not work for the in-ground pools. Also, make sure that you use the recommended type of sand which is usually the 20-grade Silica sand.
Never use the ordinary playing area sand or the beach sand for your pool filters.