Previous | Next

How to Build a Pool Filter for Small Pools

To decrease the number of pool filters bought for the smaller, easy to put together pools that come with a filter/pump, here's a fairly easy solution. It requires very little money as well as is not hard to build.

1. Turn off pump.
2. Be sure to plug holes of hose connections to pool before disconnecting hoses.
3. Cut holes in the bucket that are a tight fit for the threaded side of the fittings. Center one hole near the top as well as one hole near the bottom opposite the other.
4. Put a nut on a fitting with some plumber's tape, thread the fitting into the hole from the outside, thread other nut from the inside as well as tighten down to seal hole.
5. Complete the same procedure for opposite hole.
6. Put divider in bucket with something like a 20-ounce bottle to provide space at the entrance(upper hole)
7. Put "holey lid" in front of lower hole
8. Insert screen material
9. Fill screen material with enough pillow stuffing to fill fairly tightly as well as enclose inside screen.
10. Place lid on bucket tightly
11. Connect hose from pool outlet to new filter with clamp
12. connect hose from provided filter/pump, from lower hole of new filter with clamp to intake of pump
13. Connect hose to outlet of pump to pool inlet
14. Before opening the hose connections to pool be sure filter is full of water to allow it to work properly
15. If pump is not on when opening connections, the pressure of the water may push lid off if bucket is lower than top of pool water line, rock or other heavy object may be needed to hold lid.

• Make sure that the bucket is sealed well, because if it is not, it will draw air as well as not be effective.
• If lid does not seal well, use electrical tape or silicone to seal lid.
• If fittings don't seal well, use gaskets or silicone on dry surfaces to seal joint
• Don't be afraid to ask your local hardware person to help as well as explain what you are trying for. It may take a few tries to make it work.

• Water pressure may force lid of bucket off if pump is not going; be sure to secure it.
• Don't let pump run without water, it will ruin it.

• Square 5-gallon bucket that seals well
• Two fittings that are male thread on one side about 1 1/4 inch and ribbed opposite to fit the host provided with the pool filter system
• Four nuts that will fit the threads of the fittings
• One extra piece of hose with the same size inside diameter of the existing hose about two feet long or as needed
• Two extra screw clamps to clamp the hoses
• About a square yard of screen material
• A package of poly fiber fill(pillow stuffing)
• Something to fit in the bucket to separate it into two sides with holes * Plumber's tape
• 20 ounce bottle
• A lid about 1 inch deep, 3 inches in diameter with many holes.

Submitted by: admin
Hits: 0
Added: Thu Feb 02 2006

Review It Rate It Bookmark It