How can I make a sand pool filter for a above ground pool?

Question

the pool is an easy set 13 x 3.6 metal frame pool, the origional paper filter gets cloged over nite, and ive checked out other pool filters and there priced three times as much as the pool itself. I have a good pump, just need a good little more maintance free filter. tried a new paper element.. same thing.

Answer 1

I have an INTEX ring pool and this is our 2nd year of operation.  My brother has an INTEX Metal Ring pool and just switched over to a salt filtration system that my Dad bought for him.  He has 6 kids with dirty feet and lots of clay in his yard.  They could no keep their pool clean last year.  I have foster kids, plus my bothers kids and company day and night through out the pool season and never had a problem.  I make sure everyone rinses off BEFORE entering the pool.  The kids all have sunscreen on them and this does wash off in the pool, forming a black sticky residue on the filters and any object in the pool.  I add baking soda to the water when it happens too much or I see particulates in the water (you are more likely to see them flickering in the pool at night than during the day).  The baking soda help makes them fall out and be filtered out and it makes the water sparkle.  I use a chlorinating duck with 2-5 tabs in it and let it swirl in the pool at all times.  I have taken to covering the pool at night to keep down on bugs and tree debris ending up in the pool.  I check the chemicals pretty much 1-5x a week till stable, then down to 1x a week unless lots of rain or lots of company.  I sweep the pool daily (takes 10 minutes to sweep and skim) and saves me from dealing with lots and lots of shock, treatments and chemicals.  I rarely have to add anything other than baking soda or chlorine tabs.  I remove the cover in the morning and spend 10 minutes sweeping and skimming.  I cover it before going to bed.  If you have lots of people coming into the pool, get something to rinse their feet off in, whats on their feet goes into the pool, whats lathered on their bodies, goes into the pool!  Even sweat should be rinsed off.  Watch the little ones, they will pee in the pool, setting the chemistry off.  Make sure they take breaks, if only to pee and eat something like a sandwich for 15 minutes.  Most sunscreens must dry for 5-20 minutes BEFORE setting foot in the sun or the pool.  Also helps to have it dried onto their skin and not washing off in the pool immediately!  I've checked into other filters, and they just don't  compare with the ease and actual cleaning ability and they are cheaper in the long run.  I sometimes just spray blast the gunk out and re-use them.  Works fine.  But only good if done on freshly dirty ones.  And if they are a little dirty, they seem to filter slightly better than perfectly clean ones do.  But once they reach a certain point, just toss and replace.  My brother is really happy with the salt system, but he also admitted, had my Dad not paid for it, he certainly wouldn't have gotten it.  And they are practicing better pool habits, cleaning it daily, not waiting till it turns cloudy to deal with it, and skimming and vacuuming daily.  I believe that is what has made the difference plus they added a place for the kids to hose off and rinse their feet (I told him that last year!).  Hope this helps you!  Good luck and enjoy your pool!  We love ours!

Answer 2

The problem you face is common.

The only solution is to go the a higher grade of polyester filter replacement instead of paper.

You should check your newspaper want ads, Craig's List & garage sales for used equipment.

You can also list that you are looking for the filter on Craigs list.

You can also put tarp over it, when not in use.

Answer 3

stick with the paper filter, sand filters don't work as good for above ground type pools