Intex Krystal Clear 12-Inch Sand Filter Pump for Above Ground Pools - 110-120V with GFCI Protection | Perfect for Backyard Swimming Pools, Summer Water Filtration & Maintenance

I am writing a review to advise others on how I installed my Krystal Clear sand filter as I was extremely confused while purchasing these items. 3 years ago I purchased a Summer Escapes 16ft Pro Series above ground steel frame pool. We never set it up until about a week ago. The filter that came with it was absolute garbage. It was a SFS1700 (or 1500C) series filter (with 1.25in hose connector) but had the wrong internal parts installed where the rod was not long enough to hold the impeller in place. It also had an additional impeller that was not suppose to be there. After 12 hours of grinding and pumping little water the filter broke. As I read it was a bad filter anyway I did not bother attempting to order replacement parts for it and that filter replacement was the same cost as the sand filter so I took the leap after reading all of the great reviews for the sand filter here. (A side note, the local pool store had a 50lbs bag of pool sand for $9.99 so I was able to get the sand in time for quick install).What was needed to install this filter part wise was extremely confusing especially since I had the SFS skimmer style filter basket. Therefore, along with this filter I ordered the GAME 4552 Skim Filter Pump Adapter (For Intex & Bestway Pools) from Amazon. The GAME 4552 fit perfectly with the hose for this filter and installed quickly and easily in my skimmer basket. (It fits 1.25in and 1.5in filter hoses and fits snugly even without a hose clamp). Next I had to get the output from the sand filter back into the pool. I figured this would take a complicated trip to the hardware store. Luckily, and to my surprise, the pump actually came with two hose conversion adapters. These are the threaded adapters you see with the filter as frequently bought together. When I read the reviews for the conversion adapters I saw that they did not generally work with the Summer Escape Pro series so I didn't buy them. Well, let me tell you how glad I was they came with the filter. I attached the conversion adapter to the threaded piping coming off the filter and then I attached the other end to the original 2ft pvc tubing that came with the pool and connected the water return/output to the original filter. I attached it snugly with he hose clamp that came with the pool and original filter and the install was complete within minutes. No needing to order extra parts, no trips to the hardware store. This install was as simple as can be and my pool now has a much better working sand filter.I would never replace or repair the original pump when this option is available PRIME at such a reasonable and comparable price. So far after a few days the filter works great. It moves a lot of water. The original pool vacuum included in the pool set still works as before. I left the original skimmer and filter in the filter basket and just essentially have a double filter at this point. I may remove the filter media. I don't know if having it in there does any harm or good so I just left it to start with. It is nice to have the extra skimmer in especially when using the vacuum.My only complaint with this filter is that to set the auto timer you have to turn it on at the time you want it to run. You can only actually set the amount of time you want it to run for. So if you want the filter to run from 4AM until 8AM you actually have to turn on the timer switch at 4AM. This would not be a huge deal if you had to do it only 1 time but the timer switch is the same as the main power switch so if you turn the filter on at any other time you have to reset the timer switch again at for me 4AM. This is also true if there is a power outage which generally resets the breaker on the filter plug. The reasons I am running my filter from 4AM until 8AM is that it is still somewhat noise so best to run while neighbors and I are sleeping and not generally outside. I don't want to run it during the day because you should not be swimming with the pump running it says. Finally, I would just run it from around midnight until 4AM but if for some reason the breaker on the plug resets and the pump is not running you would never know if you are sleeping. At least by having it run until 8AM I can check in the morning to make sure that the pump is indeed running and if it is not catch it much more quickly then if it is only running while I sleep.Overall this is a great pump but as I said I would like to see a timer dial as opposed to the current setup where I have to set an alarm to turn on the timer at 4AM every time it is reset. It is a little noisy but nothing that irritating. Just may not want it running to close to your patio or house if you are trying to sit outside and relax. it is no where near as bad noise wise as the pump that came with the pool. I would highly recommend it.This is my first pool and I am not that handy or patient with this kind of stuff. If I can make this work simply anyone can. I already see a difference in my water after only 1 day.Attached are photos of this pump installed (sorry the cover blocks some of the connectors) and the original pump that came with the pool for reference.I ordered this because my Skimmer Plus 1000 GPH pump went out and was super expensive to replace. This is created for an Intex pool, and not my proseries pool. This did create a little bit of a headache to get it attached correctly, but between me and my husband we got it attached to the pool with no water leak. The flow on this is amazing compared to my Skimmer Plus filter. Unfortunately I haven't been able to try the timer feature out yet, because I've been running it pretty constantly. I set the pool up about a week ago and turned my skimmer plus filter on and realized it wasn't working, and I just got this one hooked up on 6/12 so needless to say my pool was pretty dirty and a little green. We shocked the pool on Sunday and Monday night we got in it, and there wasn't a lot of debris left in the pool. I do have a solar cover on it so that helps keep some stuff out, but not all. This is nice because it has a pre-skimmer area on it so you don't have to use another skimmer basket. I do, just because my proseries pool had one, my pool sits right below about 5 walnut trees, and I live in the country and it can get windy out there, which causes a lot of leafs in the pool. I didn't use the skimmer pump conversion kit, I just hooked this up directly to the pump that was on my skimmer plus. I do feel that this has restricted the water flow somewhat, but I also went from a 1000 GPH to 2100 GPH so not sure if I really need the full water flow or not! Next year before filling the pool I'm going to take out the magnetic rotor that is in the 1000GPH filter as someone else mentioned. I'm just not messing with it this year as the pool is full, and I don't want to lose that much water.Update: We upgraded to a new Summer Waves 16ft x 42 in pool this year which came with the new Polygroup SFX1500 skimmer plus filtration. I was expecting a headache like I had with the previous pool getting the intex hoses (1.5") to connect to the Summer Waves inlet/outlet on the pool (1.25"). After some youtubing I found a video where the person had used flexible PVC fittings to hook the intex hose directly to the SFX1500 side filter discharge and to the inlet on the pool. I had already filled the pool since the summer waves pump was working and we were having some warm days. Those couplings hooked up very nicely and I was able to swap it over for the most part by myself without losing a lot of water. Now I no longer have to get paper filters all the time and because the flow on the sand filter is a lot better my pool stays cleaner!Liked the suction, timer works well, a bit confusing at first but got it set.Above ground pooljust set this up today and waiting for pool to fill. Will update once we are up and running. We have an intex 18ft metel frame. Set up took about and hour. Didn't need any extra parts and we followed instructions easy peezy!Works amazing but if you're converting from a smaller pump with smaller lines 1.25 to 1.5 you need to buy accessories off here that are rather costly. Or you can go to your local pool store/hardware store and get the connections pictured as well as rubber washers. The pool store/hardware store route was significantly cheaper. Photos show the 3 pieces I need to buy to connect.I have only had it a week.So this is a an early review.Hoping I am not one of those reviewers that says it only lasts one year.So far based on 7 days of use.I am very impressed.Easy to setup.Fittings fit my existing pool.My Pool is a Bestway 18 by 9 foot that had an Intex paper filter pump that came with the pool. It did the job barely. It was a pain to change filters sourcing and buying them all the time.This pump is much quieter,It sits patio side with in about 10 feet of our sitting area and we barely hear it.I would guess twice as powerful for water flow.I am very happy with this unit.I bought this filter 2 years ago, barely used the pool (bad weather, away etc) always noticed water loss in the pool and a puddle near the motor/filter. This year took the leaf intake off at the motor filter and found out there is no filter housing nut. Impossible to get part in Ontario. Called Intex direct after hours got a call back and was told the part does not ship to Ontario. I lost my mind!!! I bought the pool in Ontario, Intex and says to call direct and I can’t get the one part!!!!So she tried to put under warrenty so now I sit and wait and hottest days my kids can’t use the pool!!The pump is great, customer service is beyond horrible!Amazon needs to review what companies they represent and there follow up service!!!Anyone from Amazon (not that you care) but feel free to contact me!!! Which you won’t, so just continue to collect and not be concerned with your clients!Tired of changing cartridge filters and poor water circulation. Bought this and it works great for my intex pool with about 10,000 liter capacity. Cleared up water overnight and easy to assemble. Spec for sand is a US spec, so just ask your local pool supply for the equivalent sand.Amazing! Great investment and works so well. We have saved on chemical costs as well as time. The pump is strong enough to circulate the water very well and run scuba Dave (vacuum that cleans the pool a creepy crawler sorry a speak) worth the investment with out a doubt!