How to Make Your Own Above Ground Pool Filter
- 1
Paper Cartridge Filter
The filter that came with our above ground pool wasn't working out. It was a paper cartridge type and it frequently clogged up with grunge. The filters were over $5.00 a piece, and after going through a half dozen in a few weeks, we opted to add a homemade sand filter because you only have to replace the sand every few years. - 2
A plastic garbage can holds the sand and becomes your inexpensive filter.
After studying sand filters, it was clear they were really nothing more than a container full of sand where water entered at the top and drained out the bottom. We made our sand filter using a medium-sized plastic garbage can. If you can, get a clear plastic one because this allows you to see how dirty the sand is getting. - 3
Pool filter sand
You will need at least one bag of pool filter sand. They come in ~10 pound bags and can be found at pool supply stores as well as Lowe's and Home Depot. You can't use just any sand. Pool filter sand is of a certain size that is best for filtering and allows water to pass through quickly. - 4). Using the existing pump and filter on your pool, you will be adding the sand filter so that water goes through the sand and is then sent through the regular paper cartridge filter. This way the sand traps the dirt and this spares the cartridge filter, reducing the need for replacing it. You won't have to replace the sand for years, although you should keep an eye on it and as it fills with dirt, you will need to clean it.
- 5). To clean a home made sand filter, you need to fill the container with water and stir the sand. The dirt will float to the top and you dump the water out and repeat as needed.
- 6). To make your sand filter, you will need to make two holes in your garbage can - one in the center of the lid and one on the side of the can as close to the bottom as possible. Make the holes the same size as the tubing from your pump. You will need a few extra feet of tubing (you can buy it at pool supply stores or use what you have if you have extra)that will run from the pool to the top of the garbage can. Use silicone caulk to fix it to the lid. Do the same with the hole at the bottom where the tube takes filtered water to the pump and cartridge filter.
- 7). Now we are ready to add the sand. To make sure it doesn't escape out the bottom tube, put some metal screen there or you can also use panty hose. Secure it so it doesn't go through the tube then pour your sand in. You should fill the can about 4/5ths full so that water will accumulate in a layer at the top. This allows the water to filter evenly over the surface of the sand.
- 8). Depending on how much sand you have and how dirty it is, water will enter the top of the can and exit at the bottom a short time later. If the pump is pumping faster than the water flow, there is no problem. If it isn't, you will have a backup of water. This isn't a problem, but you will need to secure the top of the lid to the can. You can do this several ways, using clamps, putting something heavy on top of the lid, etc. Just make sure you can open it again to clean the sand.
- 9). All that remains is turning on the pump. If you want, you can just get rid of the cartridge filter after you are satisfied with how the sand is doing. If you have a very large above ground pool or have a lot of traffic in your pool, you might need more sand to do the job. You can tell by how dirty the cartridge filter gets. Ideally, it shouldn't be getting dirty at all.
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