Upgrade Your Pool: Why You Need an Above Ground Pool Cartridge Filter

Okay, here’s my post about setting up a cartridge filter for an above-ground pool:

Man, setting up this above-ground pool has been a journey, let me tell you! I thought the hardest part was going to be putting the pool itself together, but no, it was the filter that gave me a real headache. I went with a cartridge filter ’cause I heard they were pretty good at keeping the water clean. So, here is my story.

I started by reading the instructions that came with the filter, but honestly, they were not super helpful. A bunch of diagrams and steps that seemed to be written by someone who’s never actually done this in real life. So, I decided to wing it a bit, using common sense and some internet help.

First, I laid out all the parts to make sure I had everything. There were hoses, the filter tank itself, the cartridges, and a bunch of clamps and connectors. I figured the best place to start was connecting the hoses to the pool. My pool has these outlets where the water’s supposed to be sucked out and then pumped back in after it’s cleaned.

Next, I put the filter cartridges inside the tank. These things look like giant versions of the filter you’d put in a water pitcher. You just slide them in, and they’re supposed to catch all the dirt and debris from the pool water. After that, I screwed the top of the tank back on, making sure it was tight so it wouldn’t leak.

Then came the tricky part—hooking up the pump. I connected the hose from the pool’s outlet to the pump’s inlet. The pump is what actually pulls the water from the pool, pushes it through the filter, and then sends it back to the pool. I had to make sure all the connections were tight, using those clamps that came with the kit. I don’t want any leaks, especially not with electrical stuff around!

Once everything was connected, I double-checked all the clamps and hoses one last time. Then I turned on the pump and held my breath. At first, nothing happened, and I thought, “Oh great, what did I do wrong now?” But then I heard the pump start to whir, and I saw water moving through the hoses. Success!

• Check for leaks: After the pump had been running for a few minutes, I carefully checked all the connections for any signs of leaks. I tightened a couple of clamps a bit more, just to be safe.
• Monitor the pressure: The filter tank has a pressure gauge on it, and I learned that you’re supposed to keep an eye on that. If the pressure gets too high, it means the cartridges are clogged and need to be cleaned.
• Enjoy the clean water: It took a few hours, but eventually, the water in the pool started to look really clear. I was so proud of myself for figuring this out!

My Realization

I learned that you really do need a good filter to keep your pool water clean. All that stuff about turnover rates that I read, that is about how long it takes the pump to filter all the pool water. If I choose a wrong filter, the water will be dirty.

Setting up this cartridge filter was a bit of a pain, but it was worth it. Now I can enjoy my pool without worrying about swimming in dirty water. Plus, I saved a bunch of money by doing it myself instead of hiring someone. If I can do it, anyone can!