Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Product Reviewed Since Amazon aggregates reviews for similar products together, I want to be clear: this review is for the Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump (for above ground pools), with a 3,000 GPH (11.3 m3/hr) pump flow rate. Impressions I could not be more pleased with this filter pump! Not only does it work very well to filter swimming pool water, it is powerful enough to do so quickly. I recommend this product for anyone who needs to keep their above ground swimming pool clean, with a minimum amount of hassle. Without a doubt, this filter pump is several order of magnitudes better than the cartridge filter which came with the pool. Intex should just stop selling those cartridge filter pumps and include sand filter pumps with their large swimming pools. As others have written, I should have switched years ago… The filter pump looks to be well made. All materials feel durable and heavy duty. The six-way valve operates without issue and I feel it will last the life of the filter pump. The included pressure gauge is easy to read, with green, yellow and red zones clearly marked. The fit and finish of all parts look to be above average and I encountered no concerns or issues assembling the filter pump. The built-in strainer basket is perfect for holding the Bioguard Silk Smart Tabs (two at a time) I use to chemically treat the water. Since I live in southern Arizona, and do not have large trees near the pool, I do not have to worry about large leaves falling into the water and being sucked into the filter pump. However, the strainer should easily hold and prevent any leaves (or other such debris) from entering the actual pump and filter. The included hoses are flexible yet durable enough to look like they will last for years. As the saying goes, only time will tell. Packaging and Unpacking In addition to the regular printed packaging, which one would expect, there was another layer of packaging (on the outside of the printed packaging) which was specifically designed for shipping and looked to have been installed by the Intex factory. On top of that, the Amazon distribution center placed another layer of their ‘normal’ packaging. All-in-all, given the weight and size of the filter pump, and the fact that it arrived undamaged, all this packaging seemed appropriate. Unpacking was easy and all that was needed was a box cutter. Slicing through the packing tape was easy, as was removing the layers of packaging. I removed one layer of packaging at a time and encountered no issues. Assembly and Installation Once all pieces were removed, assembly was just as easy. The instructions were clear and, taking my time, I assembled the filter pump within 30 minutes. Now that I have done it once, I suspect I could assemble another one in 10 minutes or so. For installation, I used three pieces of 4”x 4” pressure-treated lumber, cut into 24” lengths, placed them on the ground and then placed two 24” x 24” concrete pavers (one next to the other) on top of them to form a rectangular base on which I installed the assembled filter pump. Once the pump was in place, I made sure the inlet and outlet hoses (from/to the pool) would reach the filter pump and then filled the filter pump with sand. (Filling was easy with the included sand shield.) The included setup and installation instructions were clear, easy to understand and follow. Note: The instructions clearly warn against installing the filter pump inside of a shed or otherwise restrict airflow around the pump. However, I am inclined to eventually install at least a sunshade on top of the filter pump, while leaving the sides open. This will not only prevent the pump from the harmful effects of the sun, but should also go some way towards reflecting the sound of the running pump away from the pool and the house. Usage Note: I have an above ground swimming pool (an Intex Ultra Frame 22' by 52") and use a solar cover, when the pool is not in use. The filter pump makes a moderate amount of noise when in operation. It is by no means distracting, but there is no doubt when it is running. I have setup the pump on the opposite side of the pool from the house and can just barely hear it when it runs. After just under two months of usage, the pump has stabilized at an operating pressure of approximately 8 pounds per square inch (PSI). When I initially setup the pump, with the pool water still green with algae from wintertime storage, the filter pump ran at about 10 to 12 PSI and I made a point to backflush it about twice a week for the first month. I did this in order to remove as much algae from the system as possible, since I didn’t want it settling in the filter medium (otherwise known as ‘sand’). Now that the algae is long gone, I will wait until the pressure reads 14-16 PSI before back flushing it. As for water pressure and flow, I am truly impressed. There is enough of both to ensure more than adequate water recirculation for my pool and for the operation of the Intex Auto Pool Cleaner. The owner’s manual recommends the filter pump be run for four hours per day, based upon the size of my swimming pool. I have been running the filter pump for six hours a day, from about 0600 to 1200 hours, in order to get the pool established for the season and to get the bottom of the pool as clean as possible. Now that the pool water has been clean for a month, and all the debris from the winter, and the previous season’s usage has been cleared, I am going to run it for four hours per day and see what happens. Back flushing the filter pump is simple. Since I have gravel immediately near the filter pump, I do not have a back flushing hose connected to the filter pump. However, if I had grass, I would connect a hose in order to reduce the possibility of the grass being damaged by the force of the water exiting the filter pump. Even though the owner’s manual states it will take about two minutes to thoroughly back flush the filter pump, I have never run it more than one minute before the water runs clear. Conclusion I do not have any regrets purchasing this filter pump. Well, I do have one regret: I should have purchased and installed it years ago! If you are still deciding whether or not this filter pump is better than a cartridge pump, or if it is worth the extra cost, I can assure you the answer to both questions is a resounding ‘Yes!’ You will not be disappointed.