The Intex Krystal Clear cartridge filter pump is made for circulating and filtering the water of a storable Intex above ground swimming pool. Thus, it cannot be used for permanently installed above ground pools. Intex Krystal Clear cartridge filter pumps are available in different sizes with various pump flow rates (gallons per hour). My review looks at the different sizes available: 330 GPH, 530 GPH, 1000 GPH, 1500 GPH and 2500 GPH. I also answer a few questions about its installation and operation.
330 Gph Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump
This is the smallest Krystal Clear cartridge filter pump model available. It uses Type H filter cartridges which should be rinsed regularly, and possibly replaced after a few weeks of continuous operation. The 330 GPH Krystal Clear cartridge filter pump is recommended for above ground pools with a water capacity up to 2400 gallons, and a size of between 6 feet and 10 feet. The above ground Intex pool should have a 1.25-inch (32 mm) diameter hose fitting.
530 Gph Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump
This cartridge filter pump has a system flow rate of 475 gallons per hour, and a pump flow rate of 530 gallons per hour. In contrast to the 330 GPH Krystal Clear cartridge filter pump, this model uses Type A filter cartridges. It is recommended for Intex pools with a water capacity that is no more than 3800 gallons. The pool set should have 1.25in (32 mm) diameter hose fittings. This size filter pump is compatible with easy set pools up to 15 feet, a 12-foot frame pool, or a 9-foot by 13 foot prism frame rectangular pool.
1000 Gph Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump
The most popular pump size might be the 1000 GPH Krystal Clear cartridge filter pump. Its model number is 28637EG, but it is also known by its component part number 637R (check price on Amazon).
Similar to the previous size model, it uses the Type A filter cartridges, which should be replaced after a few weeks of filtering the pool water. This filter cartridge pump improves the circulation and filtration of Intex above ground pools that can hold up to 6000 gallons of water. It is suitable for an 18-foot easy set pool, a 20-foot frame pool, and a 20-foot prism frame oval pool. It hooks up to the usual 1.25-inch hose fitting.
1500 Gph Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump
The 1500 GPH cartridge filter pump has an automatic timer function that is not found in the smaller pumps. It has a turnover rate of 1180 GPH, so it is recommended for pool sizes with a water capacity between 700 gallons and 9400 gallons. For example, it is compatible with easy set, frame or prism frame rectangular pools of around 15 feet in size. Nevertheless, it still uses the Type A filter cartridge.
2500 Gph Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump
The 2500 GPH model (28633EG) can handle more water than the other models: as a result, the minimum recommended pool size is 4000 gallons, while the maximum size is up to 15200 gallons.
Installation is easy: attach the hoses and plug in the pump at a suitable power outlet.
The Krystal Clear 2500GPH pump uses Type B filter cartridges that should be replaced after two weeks of filtration.
This double insulated cartridge filter pump has an automatic timer with presets between two hours and twelve hours.
The air release valve is used for releasing air trapped inside the filter chamber. It also has a sediment flush valve.
One Type B filter cartridge and one Intex Hydro Aeration Technology inlet fitting are included, yet plunger valves and 1.5-inch outlet fittings are not included.
Is it complicated to connect the filter pump to the pool?
It is not complicated, but you need to follow the setup instructions in the owner’s manual to avoid problems.
Warning: check if the air release valve is open at the start of the installation, and keep it open until the filter pump has been fully primed with water. If the air valve is kept closed during installation, then air will be trapped inside the filter housing: as a result, the motor might run dry, make a lot of noise, and eventually fail.
To begin with, place the pump where the lower hose connection is located on the outside pool wall. Subsequently, attach the inlet nozzle union, inlet air adaptor, air jet valve and strainer union into the upper and lower hose connections. You may continue with the setup by connecting the hoses to the pool and pump. Use the hose clamps to prevent the hoses from falling out.
Now that all the connections have been made, please check if the cartridge filter is inside the housing by unscrewing the threaded filter housing collar in a counter-clockwise direction. Remove the cover and look inside. If the filter cartridge is inside, then you can replace the cover and screw it down tight in a clockwise direction.
After all the connections are tight, it is time to fill up the Intex above ground pool to about 2 inches above the top connection. Eventually, the water starts flowing into the Krystal Clear cartridge filter pump. The air inside the housing is pushed out as the water flows into the filter pump. You can screw the air release valve down into the filter housing cover after the water starts flowing out of the hole of the air release valve.
Finally, plug the pump into the power outlet and let it run a few hours until the water is crystal clear.
Please note that you should never add pool chemicals directly into the cartridge filter. Instead, add the chemicals into the water in the above ground pool.
Is the filter cartridge easy to clean or replace?
It is easy to do when you follow the instructions in the manual. Here is a short summary of the steps that are involved.
First, never open the filter while the pump is working, or connected to the power outlet. Stop the pump and disconnect it before checking the filter cartridge.
Second, unscrew the pool inlet nozzle and the strainer grid, before plugging it with the plugs to prevent water from draining out of the pool while you work.
Third, remove the filter housing collar, threaded cover, cover seal, and the filter cartridge.
Fourth, inspect the filter cartridge and decide whether to clean or replace it. Use water from a garden hose to wash the dirt out of the filter cartridge.
Fifth, return the cleaned or new cartridge to its housing, add the seal, threaded cover and tighten the housing collar (clockwise).
Lastly, prime the filter pump by opening and closing the air release valve, removing the plugs, replacing the pool inlet nozzle and strainer grid.
It is probably a good idea to have spare filter cartridges in a cupboard somewhere, seeing as the cartridge filter needs replacement after a few weeks of daily filtration.
Why does the filter motor refuse to start?
If the filter pump is plugged into a three-wire power outlet protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter, then there might be only two possible causes. First, there might be a problem with the GFCI circuit breaker. Second, the motor could have been running too hot, causing the overload protection to shut it off.
The solution is to let the motor cool down before resetting the circuit breaker. A circuit breaker that keeps on tripping points to an electrical issue that needs the attention of an electrician.
Why is the cartridge filter pump not working?
If the motor runs, but the pump does not seem to be working, then there are a few things that might be wrong. For example, the water level in the pool might be too low. Otherwise, an air leak on the intake hose, or an air lock inside the cartridge filter housing might be the problem.
The solution is to increase the water level in the pool to about one or two inches above the top pool inlet connection. Meanwhile, clean the strainer screens and check the hose for damage or debris. You should also tighten the hose clamps again. Lastly, you can open the air release valve at the top of the filter pump to release trapped air. Close it again once water is flowing out of the air release valve.
Why is the water not being filtered?
When the filter does not seem to be cleaning the water, or if it cleans very slowly, then there might be multiple issues. For instance, the inlet or discharge lines might be clogged. In particular, the filter cartridge might be either dirty or damaged and in need of urgent cleaning or replacement. Of course, very dirty pool water is going to take much longer to filter until it is clean.
The problem might be as simple as incorrect connections, such as reversing the nozzle and strainer. Putting it another way, the nozzle should be installed in the pool inlet at the top, while the strainer fits in the lower connection of the pool outlet. In addition, check if the pool inlet air adaptor is connected to the upper pool inlet connection. If none of these things are wrong, then you might try adjusting the pH levels or the chlorine content of the swimming pool.
Conclusion
These cartridge filter pumps run on 110 to 120 volts. When it comes to safety, it seems like the EG models has a GFCI plug. The older E models do not have this safety plug feature. The ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) feature provides additional protection: that is, the pump shuts off automatically if an electrical component is exposed to water.
The cartridge filters can be cleaned by spraying it with water. Clean the filter a few times each week, depending on the dirtiness of the pool water. This way you can use and clean the filters multiple times instead of replacing it every two weeks as the manufacturer suggests. You can save some money on filters. Nonetheless, the cartridge filter will eventually need replacement after cleaning it a few dozen times.
The longevity of these Intex cartridge filter pumps are probably decreased due to the use of plastic parts. However, this is a cheap pump, so that is to be expected.
These Intex Krystal Clear cartridge filter pumps might last for a year or two before something breaks. Nevertheless, these cartridge filter pumps are worth the investment if you want to improve the circulation and water clarity of your storable Intex above ground pool (shop now on Amazon).
P.S. You might also consider using an Intex Krystal Clear sand filter pump (read my review). Sand filter pumps are more efficient and the sand only needs replacement after a few years of use. The sand is cleaned by backwashing and rinsing the sand filter with the pump valve positions.