Swimming Pool Filter Problems

by Rick

What Size Filter?

What size filter do I need for an 18 ft round pool? I have a 1 hp Hayward pump.

Hi Rick.

It is much more important to match the filter to the pump, as opposed to the pool. A 1 HP pump is plenty big enough to clean the pool so just make sure you get a filter that can handle the pressure. The larger the pump you use the more cleaning media the water should flow through, otherwise the water will not get clean. I would suggest a filter that uses at least 150 pounds of sand.

Filter Flow Problem

by Ben

I have an 18' round above ground pool, chlorine, with a 1hp filter motor. I recently installed a solar heater to the filter and since using it I have noticed algae. I had not had this problem in the past. My levels have been checked and are good.

The water flow has been weaker since the solar instillation, I assume this is happening because the water has to travel farther to re-enter the pool? So, would the solution be to run the filter a longer period of time?

Thanks, Ben

Hi Ben.

Many pool solar heaters use an auxiliary pump to keep from loosing pressure on the main pump. This may be what you need to do if just running the filter longer is not enough. Running the filter more hours is a good start and just might be all you need to do.

Vacuuming and Algae

by Jeanne
(New York)

When I vacuum my pool, the algae is being blown right back into it thru the jet. I have a sand filter. I am thinking of replacing the sand.

After I vacuumed it, I backwashed and rinsed it, then it would stop when I put it back on filter. It only seems to happen when it’s being vacuumed.

Hi Jeanne.

There are types of Algae that will blow right through sand filters. Your sand is probably just fine. It is best to get rid of this algae is to use the vacuum to waist position, if your filter has one. Using algaecide to get rid of the algae is important also.

Unable to Vacuum

by Michele
(Warrington PA)

My Dream Line sand filter is not sucking dirt into it. I put the vacuum on trying to clean the pool but it is not holding in place. My pressure is in between 20-30. It is an above ground pool.

Thank you

Hi Michele.

I would suggest cleaning the filter media before you start to vacuum. I do this every time. I clean the filter before and after vacuuming. If I loose pressure during vacuuming it gets cleaned then also. You should only be vacuuming with a strong suction, otherwise there is no point.

Buying a Better Pump

by Amy
(Danville, IL)

We just got a new 18ft. soft side pool and the 1500 pump came broken. We are getting a hassle from Wal-Mart in getting it returned.

We were wondering if it would just be better to buy a bigger pump and be done with it. What size pump is best for an 18ft pool?

Hi Amy.

Anything you buy will be better than what came with the pool. I would go with at least a 1/2 HP but not more that a 1 HP.

DE Filter

How do we know what size DE Filter is needed to support a 27ft round above ground pool? The sizes are LS40, LS55 and LS70.

Hi.

With that size pool I would get the largest system I could afford.