Master Shake

Do a Google search on the AquaPill. You don't need to go through all of the steps in the system. Just try the AP01 AquaPill Clarifier & Flocculent ball that goes in your skimmer. I never had any luck with liquid/bottle clarifiers, but the AquaPill worked very well for me.

Anyone have an Intex 635/633 1500gph type 'A' filter/pump or other cartridge-based filter/pump and cannot filter dirty water? I have an Intex 18' x 9' rectangular metal tube frame above ground pool. I am trying to vacuum the dirt/dust using all Intex parts, but the dirty water is not being held at the filter and simply shoots back into the pool. I have tried cleaning/replacing the filter, but it doesn't help. I am thinking either the filter media is not able to hold dirt/dust, or the pump/filter unit itself is not any good. I don't think this is a gph issue, so upgrading to a higher flow rate probably won't help in this case. Perhaps a sand or maybe DE based filter system might help, but I would hate to drop $400+ only to find out that dirt cannot be filtered with any above ground pool (that does not have a floor drain). Also, I am fairly sure this is actually dirt/dust, and not algae or other organisms, etc.

Do you have the 635 pump 1500gph and uses type 'A' filters? If so, follow the advice above about letting the air out -- basically, with the pump off, open both valves (at the pool itself, lift the plunger up) and then unscrew the small valve directly on the lid that covers the filter, until water comes out (then close that small valve). Turn on the pump and see if it is any better. As for your winter issue, where are you located? Do you get snow/ice? If so, you might want to take the pool down (see the dis assembly instructions in the manual).

Has anyone successfully upgraded to something larger, like a Hayward 18" sand filter with 1.5 hp pump -- or any other above ground pool sand filter? I have an Intex 18' by 9' rectangular frame pool with the dinky 1500gph Intex pump/filter. It can manage to catch and hold insects, but when I try to vacuum the dirt from the pool, it runs it through the filter, and send a stream of dirty water (roughly 18 inches) back into the pool! I am hoping that adding a professional sand filter, I will be able to collect and capture the dirt. My pool has the larger plunger type fittings, but I can't find anyone who sells Hayward products on line that knows if they are compatible. I have tried cleaning & replacing my cartridge filter, but it does not make any difference with the dirt. Thanks for anyone's advice.