What Size Sand Filter For 18 Foot Above Ground Pool

What Size Pump Should I Get For My Pool

If you’re looking to build a new pool or simply looking to replace a pool pump you may find yourself asking, “Is a larger horsepower pool pump always better?”

PRO TIP: No matter which type of pump you choose, youll want to make sure you properly select the correct pump and filter combination. The pump needs to be sized appropriately compared to the filters flow rate. Choosing a pump with a higher flow rate than the filter will put strain on both the pump and filter, reducing life and efficiency of each. This means that you would not want to choose a pump designed to be used with 2″ plumbing piece, and then use a filter designed to be used with 1 1/2″ plumbing piece. Proper pairing of these two units is essential for a pleasant pool experience.

For example:

If choosing a pump with a 1-1/2 inlet/outlet, you should choose a filter with a 1-1/2 inlet/outlet as well. However, a pump with a 1-1/2 inlet/outlet can work with a filter with a 2 inlet/outlet if needed to.

X You would not want to attempt to use a pump with 2 inlet/outlet with a filter that has a 1-1/2 inlet/outlet as they would not be sized correctly or efficient when used together.

You can also learn more about Single Speed and Variable Speed Pumps Here!

Summer Waves Filter Pump System For Above Ground Swim Pools

The Summer Waves Filter Pump System is available in 1000 and 1500 gallons per hour and fits most above ground swimming pools. It is a combination skimmer and filter pump that works to continuously clean the water with a strainer and filter cartridge.

Easily attachable to the sidewall of your pool, the Summer Waves Filter Pump stays out of the way so that you can enjoy your pool and the surrounding areas without worrying about tripping on it. Users note the importance of keeping moisture out of the power switch to maximize the life of the pump.

Pentair 160301 Clean & Clear Pool Filter

This Pentair residential cartridge pool filter system is made with 420 square-foot filter capacity. Its great for collecting a large amount of dirt and smaller particles in between cleanings without impacting the overall performance of the filter.

The larger pool cartridge capacity helps to reduce the frequency of cartridge cleanings necessary to maintain a clean pool. If you have an overhanging tree or any other source of a lot of debris, you may still need to empty it out more often.

However, the average pool owner will probably only need to clean the cartridge once or twice a month at most. This is a great convenience for low-maintenance pool management.

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Testing Your Sand Bottom

The weight of the water in the pool will help to compact the sand bottom underneath the liner. Generally it takes 5-10 days for the sand to be fully compacted and become hardened.

The first time you get in the pool to swim, gently feel the bottom of the pool to ensure the sand is sufficiently compacted. If the bottom is still soft, give it a few more days before walking around on the bottom.

***Country Leisure Pro Tip: Leaving footprints in the bottom of the pool will make it extremely difficult to vacuum your pool dont rush this step!

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The Spruce

If you live in a warm climate or anywhere that gets remotely hot during the summer, having somewhere to swim can make the weather more bearableand enjoyable. As you’re probably aware, in-ground swimming pools are expensive to install and maintain. Above-ground pools, however, are an affordable alternative. They’re also much easier to set up and can be just as fun as their in-ground counterparts.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly cool-down solution or want to try out a pool before committing to digging a permanent hole in your yard, we’ve got you covered. We rounded up the best above-ground pools currently on the market, including saltwater-ready, rectangular, round, oval, steel-supported, and inflatable picks. Let’s dive in.

Here, the best above ground pools on the market.

Dimensions: 18 feet x 52 inches | Shape: Round | Water Capacity: 6,981 gallons | Frame: Galvanized steel | Set-Up Time: 45 minutes

• Long setup time

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Sand Filter W/ 1hp Above Ground Swimming Pool Pump

For small to medium above ground pools, this sand filter is easy to connect and effective for up to 18,000 gallons of water. It is only good for above ground pools and isnt meant for in-ground pools even if they are spas or smaller pools.

6 different speed settings can be activated to make the filter work for you. It works with as low of pressure as possible to be more efficient and use less electricity. This is also a top-mounted system that requires you to remove pipes and plumbing to reach the sand storage area of the filter system. You can expect years of great service from this filter, as its made of strong materials that are weather-proof and heat resistant.

The high capacity sand bed is larger than many of the other in-ground pool filters. Because of this, it can extend the lifecycle of the sand and keep you from having to backwash the filter every day. You will also catch more debris at a time, which is great for pools that get very dirty from the environment.

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What Does A Pool Pump Do

An above-ground pool pump has one very important job: move the water in the pool through the filter. Think of it as the heart of your pool. The pump circulates the water, cycling it through the filtration system where dirt and debris are removed. The filter is also where the water is sanitized and the chemical reactions that keep your pool water safe take place. Without a pump, the water wouldnt be able to travel through the filter and stay clean and safe.

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How Do You Drain An Above

Start by unrolling the pump’s intake hose, reaching it as close as possible to the center of your above-ground pool. Then point the hose outlet toward an area that will drain the water away from the pool without flooding your property. Next, plug the pump into a nearby outlet and turn it on. Allow the pump to run until your pool is completely empty. This might take several hours or more, depending on the size of your pool. Turn off the pump, and you should be all set.

What Size Cartridge Filter Do I Need

how much electricity a pool pump usesSizing a pool cartridge filterToo long, didn’t read flow meterA note on DE filtersPool Filter Flow RatesEndorsed Brands From Swimming Pool Stevewww.InTheSwim.com– Swimming Pool Stevewww.BasecreteUSA.com– Swimming Pool Stevewww.LightStream.com– Swimming Pool Stevewww.PoolSuppliesCanada.ca– Swimming Pool Steve

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Best Pump For Above Ground Pool + Intex Filter Pump System Reviewed

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This guide has been compiled to help owners find the best above ground pool pump to match their pool installations. If youre upgrading, or just need a replacement pump, weve highlighted the some of best pool pumps and pump / filter systems on the market. Concentrating on the brilliant Intex above ground pool pump range but weve also included pumps from other trusted manufacturers too.So theres a lot of pump choices and filter systems available to above ground pool owners. Most of them are simple to understand, and very simple to install.

The Intex filter pump range has been especially made for installation by the pool owner rather than a professional.

As one of the most popular manufacturers of above ground pools Intex has made owners lives very easy by combining and matching pump and filter systems for their pools into a single combo unit.

Of course Intex is not the only provider of above ground pool pumps and filter systems, there are other excellent alternatives for permanent above ground pool installations, thats why we have included the Hayward product range in our guide.

Review Contents

Above Ground Pool Ladder Price

The final component common to an above ground pool kit is the ladder or entry system. You will find an A-frame ladder will be the go to choice for most retailers. These are very cost effective and work great on above ground pools. If you would like something a bit more substantial, you can generally upgrade to an entry system, which will include steps that go down on the inside of the pool and additionally handrails to assist with entry and exit from the pool. If you plan to install a wood deck around your pool, there are also deck mount options for the ladders that allow for a seamless transition from the deckto the ladder or entry system.

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What Size Sand Filter Do I Need For A 27 Above Ground Pool

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Another rule of thumb is to buy 1.5 sq ft of filter area per 10,000 gallons of pool water. The 3.1 sq ft sand filter is the standard size for most inground pools. Larger pools, , should use a 4.9 sq ft. sand filter .

Additionally, how do you size an above ground pool filter? Read on to learn how to calculate the proper size for your above ground pool filter.

In respect to this, what size pump do I need for my above ground pool?

For round above ground pools up to 24 ft. use a 1 HP pump. For round above ground pools over 24 ft. use a 1.5 HP pump.

Should you run your pool pump all the time?

Although it’s generally recommended that all the pool water undergo filtration every 24 hours, the pump does not need to run all the time. If your pool is in constant use, you may need to run the pump for up to eight hours per day, frequently checking the water clarity and chemical balance.

Water Care & General Maintenance

You will want to test your water at least weekly. There are a variety of different test kits available. They include strips that you simply dunk in the water to get your water readings, drop kits, and even completely automated systems that will continuously monitor your water and alert you if anything needs to be added. Some pool retailers will have a water lab that can test your water for you as well.

You will want to watch the following 3 readings weekly: pH, alkalinity and chlorine. For a chlorine-based pool, you’ll want to maintain your pH reading between 7.2 and 7.8, your alkalinity between 80 120 and your chlorine level at 1.5 3. These levels will ensure proper sanitization of your water and should keep it clear and clean.

On a monthly basis, you will want to test copper , water hardness and cyanuric acid levels, and ensure these are within the appropriate range.

The most common water issues with above ground pools are green water and/or cloudy water.

Green pool water indicates algae, and generally requires the water to be shocked with a high dose of sanitizer .

Cloudy water can be caused by many factors commonly we see it after shocking a pool. The dead algae that is not caught by the filter tends to hang out in the water. In these cases, you will want to floc the pool. This process causes the algae or other contaminants that are in suspension in the pool water to sink to the bottom, allowing you the ability to vacuum them out.

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How To Add New De To The Filter

After youve cleaned your filter, rather than adding D.E. powder directly to the grids, youll get much better coverage if you add it through the pools skimmer.

• Mix the D.E with enough water to make a slurry, which will look like a thin, creamy solution.
• Make sure the pool pump is running.
• Slowly pour the solution directly into the skimmer.

As the D.E. passes through the filter, it will evenly distribute over the grids. Youll need to wait a while before swimming to give the mixture time to fully integrate with the filter, so you may want to do this in the evening, and then run your pump overnight.

The Best Above Ground Pool Sand Filters Online

When choosing your next pool sand filter, you should consider other factors besides the filter type.

For instance, you will need to consider factors like filter efficiency, durability and, above all, its maintenance requirements.

And last, but not least, it is extremely important to make sure that the filtration system you choose matches the size of your pool.

There are many options when it comes to sand pool filters but Ive shortlisted the best ones I could find.

Below is my review of each one, including all their negative points.

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Pentair Plm Series Filters

This is also a very good cartridge pool filter. It shares the same filter housing as the DE PLD version and that is the one thing I donât like about it. This filter housing requires extra steps to reduce the coupler size to accommodate plumbing the system. I overlook it with the PLD DE version because the filter is best in class, but with the Spla and Hayward XStream I donât see the need for the extra work.

Still a great option if you can pick it up cheap and do not mind the extra plumbing work that comes with it.

Determine The Volume Of The Pool

The first thing that you need to do is to determine how many gallons of water are in the pool. The size of your pool, depth, and shape, among others, will have an impact on this. There is an online calculator that will let you easily compute the volume. Find one so that you dont need to rely on guesswork.

In our example calculation, let us say that the above ground pool has a volume of 24,000 gallons.

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Cancer Risk With De Filters

Though D.E. is a known carcinogen, it has only proved cancer-causing in mice when inhaled long term.

Important: Safety first. Prevent accidental inhalation by wearing a chemical mask when you handle D.E. powder. Also, keep children and pets away from the area when youre working with D.E. powder, and from the area where its stored. Immediately clean up any spilled powder.

• Filters contaminants as small as 5 microns
• D.E. powder can be added through the pool skimmer
• No caustic chemicals are required for cleaning

Above Ground Sand Pool Filters

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Is My Filter Too Small For My New Pump

After selecting your pool pump, verify the GPMs of your pool filter. The GPM information is typically listed on the outside label on the filter housing. If unavailable or weathered, you can also locate this information in the user manual. If for whatever reason you cannot find your manual, we recommend doing a quick search in our manual database or a Google search. Once you find the manual, print and keep it. I guarantee that you will use it in the future. If its an antique of a filter, you may want to call the manufacturer.

Inside the manual, the filter specs typically include the flow rating, filtration area, port size, and turnover rates. The flow rating is essential because it dictates the maximum gallons per minute your filter can handle. In other words, do not go over this number. If your GPMs on the pump exceed the GPMs on your filter, sit back and analyze which one needs to be bigger, the pump, the filter, or both.

Look at the turnover rate listed on the filter. Your pool size should fit within those parameters. If they do not, you should consider purchasing a bigger filter. A properly sized filter is always larger than the gallon size of the pool. You want wriggle room in your filtration area because that way you arent backwashing or cleaning your cartridges every week. So, unlike your pool pump, we always recommend oversizing your filter.