I came across your video in my you-tube history, and I've finally figured out where I got the design for the filters I use with my small garden pool, thanks! I have three similar bucket filters which I run continuously, with the 1000 gallon-per-hour pump pulling water through the filters.
I really like this video. Yes, their are those who are negative about it but I know so many people with smaller pools, more portable not in ground, but are constantly draining and refilling their pools. Their water and chemical bills are outrageous in the summer. I've never understood why they don't invest in a better filtration system. I could use your idea and clean people's portable pools and make a living.
Interested to see how it turns out not quite finished but you should never use teflon tape when there is already a gasket. You are just making it harder to tighten down onto the gasket. And should use plumbers putty more like a moldable gasket rather than a sealer and use about 10 times less. Not trying to be harsh. Just trying to help out. Like you are doing with your video.
Mustang I dont mean to harp on your kit, you used those bulkhead fittings wrong there meant to sandwich your bucket lid between the two parts of just that fitting then you can screw what ever matching thread into the inner threads of it
Thanks for creating such a great video that is clear and easy to make. Unfortunately, my filter actually DID pump the sand right into the pool! I picked up most of my supplies at lowes, including the quikrete pool filter sand. It is #20 Silica as needed, but I think it may be too fine. There definitely are not any gravel pieces like yours has. Wondering if the gravel is actually more of an important component than you led on in the video? Looking for ways to fix this.
I get my sand at Leslie's pool. Make sure that the holes in the discharge pipe are pointing down. The pipe can get rotated and if the holes are on the top, it's easier for the sand to return to the pool.
Same problem. I just finished mine tonight and instead of filtering the water (in my dog’s kiddie pool) it is turning it into a sand box! The holes are pointing down and I used pool sand from Ace Swim & Leisure (shout out the Andrew Senise, the Sales Rep in Webster NY who is AMAZING!!). I did everything the same except used a Uniseal instead of Plumber’s Putty and connected the inner pipe to a female slip to male threaded adapter, which was pushed half way through the Uniseal for the connection and seal. I dumped the sand into another 5g bucket and added gravel up to the pipe then poured the sand back (and also duct taped the lid down because the pressure kept popping it off with water gushing over) and it is still pumping the sand through just as it had before...didnt help at all. And I dont mean a little sand...I mean it’s filling the hose and dumping out the end. A few questions... 1. Does the “filter” have to be above the pump? Can it sit on the ground next to the kiddie pool, or should I sit it up on a chair? b. Is it possible the pump is just too strong? would it maybe help if I use a much longer hose between the two? Right now I think it’s about 6ft. HELP?!?! Thank you in advance!!
I think I'd figure out way to either keep water off the cover or pump it off as it is collecting there. Maybe a sump pump with a float switch. An oz of prevention is worth a pound of cure ;-)
This is my 2nd year that I am trying to reconstruct it. This weekend my 3rd version but I still fail. it is also difficult to commercialize the same material in the netherlands. Sad but true.
Did the galvanized stock tank swimming pool, but live in the dry windy desert. Bought an Intex cartridge style pool filter, but the filter needed to be cleaned or changed every twenty minutes. Tried this, followed instructions exactly. Everything went together smoothly, no leaks, but this things barfs sand out incredibly. Used pool sand. I’ll try it again in the morning, but it was a comical failure. Looked like diarrhea bucket.
1/Leave 25%-30% free head space (on top of the sand bed) - for a 12” high bucket, fill 8” with sand and leave the top 4” empty. 2/ put a screen mesh inside the lid, to cover the discharge pipe connection.
Hello I know u said in the vid about what u used but was just wondering if u could write it in the comments what parts and sizes ur using plz lol I would like to build one to but an lost on what u used to build it
Terri HetzMurph, I've never had more than a tablespoon of sand come out of the filter the first time I put water through it after I built it. Once it's up and running, sand never comes out, not even after a back flush. Make sure you are using pool filter sand from a pool store, not play sand for a child's sandbox. You could try wrapping the outlet pipe with a stocking. Make sure the holes in the outlet pipe are facing down. My guess is that the pipe rotated and the holes are facing up.
It could be fixed easily making it like a drainage Wrap a tube with holes with a some kind of geotextile and it will prevent even this small amount of sand to escape
Built one of these one the weekend. It was super simple to assemble. Unfortunately, the sand flows out of the discharge almost as fast as the water! Not sure if I did something wrong of if the sand I'm using isn't right for the task, though it's sold as pool filter sand. Any advice?
Make sure that the holes in the discharge pipe are pointing down. The pipe can get rotated and if the holes are on the top, it's easier for the sand to return to the pool.
I made a filter of my own using your ideas. I have a problem, though. The sand that I use comes out of the pipe into the pool. I made similar sized holes. The only part I see responsible for the problem would be the finer sand I use (doesn't have pebbles and other small rocks). Could you help me, please?
Make sure your discharge pipe at the bottom has the holes pointing down. Put a mark on it when you are putting things together. It can get rotated when you are attaching the hose and if the holes point up, the sand can come out.
Try lowering the water flow rate and make sure that the holes in the pipe are pointing down. it's easy for the pipe to rotate in the bucket before you put the sand in.
could I use this setup to filter my whole pool just tonget it clean, not necessarily a permanent filter. I'm having a real tough time getting my above ground intex pool clean/clear. it's still a muddy-green cloudy color even after shocking, vacuuming, brushing, shocking, flocking etc. the filter that came with the pool just sucks it's probably 12000 gallons
You might be better off just buying a better filter. I am filtering around 3500 gallons with this system and it takes about 3 days of continuous operation to get the water looking clear. I use a relatively small pump at a slow rate of flow. Make sure your chemistry is right. i can have problems in the pool using the real filter if the chemistry is off.
I'm here for the same reason. Looking to add a second filter to run at the same time and too broke to buy a new one. Once you have algae in an Intex pool with the filter that came with it, drain it and refill. That's what I've learned this summer. It has been a nightmare. One thing I've figured out is to pour a little pool clarifier into the water where the filter is and it makes the filter work much better. I literally clean the filter off 3X a day and still struggling with algae because as soon as the chlorine starts getting down to a swimmable level, if the algae hasn't been filtered out, it's back.
Chlorine won't get algae out of your pool once it's in there. You need to use algaecide. I use one with chelated copper and it works well. If there is algae in the pool, brush and vacuum. Put in a heavy dose of algaecide and brush and vacuum daily. it should clear up in a week or so.
I've solved the problem without algaecide, but will note that in the future. I have discovered that there are places where the vinyl has a flap of excess at the seams that algae hides under. Also, around the top there are places where algae hides. I had to mix some water and bleach and zap it.
I’m having a really hard time stopping the sand from flowing out of the hose. I know you said that it shouldn’t come out, but I’ve done 3 attempts now and each time I fill an entire other bucket with sand. I just can’t find any way to stop it from happening. Any advice?
Make sure you have pool filter sand. Get it at a pool supply store. Also make sure that the holes in the pipe are pointing down. That pipe can rotate when you are working on it. Put a mark on the fitting on the outside of the bucket before you put the sand in so you can see which way the holes are facing. You want the holes facing the bottom of the bucket.
It's pool filter sand. Get it at a pool supply store. Also make sure that the holes in the pipe are pointing down. That pipe can rotate when you are working on it. Put a mark on the fitting on the outside of the bucket before you put the sand in so you can see which way the holes are facing. You want the holes facing the bottom of the bucket.
built this same way you did, but I have nothing but sand coming out, my pipe in the bucket with the hole are facing straight down, in this video you said you don't have to have rock so I did with out and second round I put lava rock at bottom then the sand. but both times I have sand coming out. need help
make sure you are using pool filter sand, not play sand or some other type. i have used this design for 6 or more years without sand problems. if you can't make it work this way, you could try wrapping the pipe in the bucket with a nylon stocking or some other kind of filter fabric.
I too have this issue, just built it and nothing but sand is coming out. I got "Pool Filter Sand" (not play sand or paver sand) from Home Depot but it is nowhere near as coarse as shown in the video. Also, I have no pebbles in mine at all.I'm guessing there are different grades but how would I have known?
Couldn't you just plumb in a hose adapter on the suction side plumbing with a ball valve on your pool pump and run a vacuum hose with a vacuum head on it and then unplug a return or two under the cover and prime the pump and backwash the filter before filtering the water if you didn't backwash on fall closing, thats how I do my cousins pool cover when it's got alot of water on it when I open
That is an interesting idea. I backwash when I close in the fall, so the pool sand filter is clean in the spring. So you are saying I can connect a hose to one of the inlet lines to the pool pump, probably through the skimmer, and then use the pool pump and filter to clean the water on the cover. I would only get one pass through the pool sand filter before the water went under the cover, which makes me a little nervous. I'm not sure how clean the water would be after one pass. I know the pool pump and filter is more efficient than my set-up, but I don't want to put dirty water in the pool. The main issue I have is with the algae on the pool cover. You can see in the videos that the water starts off really green and I get it clear before it goes under the cover. I could use your idea after I use my bucket filter to put the water under the cover if I can get a big enough hose on it to keep up with the pool pump demand. It pumps a lot of water.
MustangResto you could set the vacuum head in a net like you did the pump in a bucket and run the vacuum hose to the skimmer and then open one or two of your returns in the pool, it may cloud the water just a little but when you add your start up chemicals like your tablets and shock it will clear up in a couple of days I'll do a video next spring and I'll tag you in it usually takes a whole day from 8 in the morning till 5-7 in the evening
@@MustangResto Very Risky. While the pool pump and filter seem larger in size, they are not designed to clean so much algae and foreign matter in one pass. They can take care of the load of contaminants during a normal run, of an already clean pool. I would advise you to stick to your parallel system and don't overload / pollute your (more costly) main filter. You have a good design. Stick to it.
Has anyone been able to find the bulkhead fitting he used. I've googled it and searched the brass craft site and couldn't find it . It is a 1/2 inch FIP to 1-3/8 inch thread shank. Any help will be appreciated. I'd hate to have to 3d print one ; )
Chlorine tabs do not kill algae algaecide kills algae. I admit that it's fun to build stuff but if you would have just used some copper sulfate you'd be done in 10 minutes
yeah, filters are like little bombs which is why they have a psi gauges on them. Nothing he made on here seems right and obviously from your comment. also dangerous!
I had a swimming pool for 10 years. Never once in 10 years was my pool water anything but clear when I opened it up in the spring. If you clean your pool before you close it up. Increase the chlorine level and us a good quality cover you will be fine. Keep the cover clear of debris and excess water. Pump off the excess water before you take the cover off. The pool in this video is neglected, plain and simple. No excuse for that. If you don't want to take care of your pool, don't own one.
You should watch Part 5. When we remove the cover the pool is clean. No neglect here. If you don't understand what you are watching in the videos, don't make a comment, plain and simple. No excuse for that. Did I get that right?
Maybe. If you are going to try and use it in place of your sand filter then you might have problems keeping the lid on the bucket. I use a relatively small submersible pump and a garden hose to run mine. If you have an above ground pool pump setup, it might be more powerful than the plastic bucket lid can handle.
MustangResto my pump is the kind of one that has the paper filters so I'm thinking on add this filter so I don't spend the 200 that the sand filter for my pool cost my concern was if my pump will be strong enough to run the water trough it btw your videos are really well explained thanks
46 years as a professional pool operator and service tech and I have never seen such a ridiculous operation in my life. Please people don't follow this advice.
I cannot figure out what the hell this guy is doing- all of this nonsense to save the water on top of the cover? I don't use a cover, I live in Florida, but adding liquid chlorine to the water on the cover to clear it up, then brushing the cover to clean it up, then pumping the dirty water off the pool cover to waste. Why build a silly sand filter when a real sand filter and pump is already hooked up to the pool.
David Larson your old school and jealous ass hat lol. I live in the deep South we run pool all yr around so pool always beautiful. It's a saltwater system which is a lot easier
Lol my thoughts exactly. You would be better off buying a safety cover. Pool be full when open and water will be clear. Also looks a lot nicer and is much safer.
WiggleWorx 🙄of course there’s gonna be a hater. So let’s have it! Explain to us how a through bulkhead fitting works. I mean obviously it’s working correctly for him!!! Don’t be a hater all your life man. Move out of mommy’s basement and get your own pool and then you can make all the videos you want and school all of us on the correct way to use bulkhead a fitting. Such a 🐓🍭
@@MustangResto I just put this together and I am getting sand and water coming out of the hose. I used pool filter sand and it continuously pushes water and sand out the bottom of the bucket. Thank you for creating this video and hopefully troubleshooting.
It would take days to pump off the water on the cover. There is the issue with where is that water going, it's probably around 10,000 gallons and then I would need to replace the water. It's a lot easier to just clean it since it's already there.
I can get the 5-7k gallons siphoned off my cover in the spring with the same 9 garden hoses just siphoning the water in under 3 hours. Every year start those at around 7am on a Saturday morning and I am pulling the cover off by 10 am.
@@JamesBuell88 I use my dad's 70 Ford Galaxie to pump the water out of my pool, fuckin plug it to the motor and open the throttle and BOOM, the fuckin water just evaporates under the speed of that old boy. I can pump 500,000 gallons in 30min and not even going all the way down on the gas pedal
Interesting build, but it was disappointing in the fact that it should have been stated by you first off that it's actually the huge pills of chlorine that clears the water :P WHich in my case is not viable because I need this for a fish pond. Otherwise it's just one of the many variations of a basic (slow) sand filter :)
dude... show use it working before how to build it. Thx tho. Portable sand filter is a good idea. Im using a Walmart 40$ dirty water sump pump i rigged to pool hoses to vacuum the pool. Uses alot less water, gets better pressure, doesnt clog near as bad, and is easier to clean and start and stop
@@MustangResto Its a Store that sells stuff in Walmart.com only. Or something. There is more than one person selling the same pump also. I bought it back in 2015 or so and its been very nice having it. I need to make a video of how im draining the patio and how it floods everytime it rains. And how i convert it to vacuum the pool. It was 40$ when i got it and idk the HP or wattage. Probably the 1/2hp 400w one which looks the same as the other 2. www.walmart.com/ip/Ktaxon-1-2-HP-Submersible-Dirty-Sewage-Water-Clean-Sump-Dewatering-Utility-Pump/283999266?selected=true
I cant believe the improper use of materials as well as why you would pump it back into the pool? Wrong use of putty, bulkhead. No need gor this gizmo!
@@MustangResto No matter what the naysayers say, if it works, it works. All the components were made for use by humans with a brain and there can be no misuse, as long as safety is not compromised
If you are going to make a negative comment it's best to not make two spelling mistakes, one grammatical mistake, and two punctuation mistakes. Need I say more?
I was with you all the way until you used the Plumbers Putty on contact with the *Plastic* Bucket and *PVC* Pipe. If you'd have read the very few words on the exact Oatey Putty container you'd have read, *"DO NOT USE ON PLASTIC!"* Reason being is that the putty is Petroleum Based and will degrade all plastics including your bucket and PVC pipe. I used to be a Journeyman Plumber I remember several guys get fired over time just for using that putty on metallic coated plastic drains. With each of those plumbers it was the inspector himself who spotted the putty and the actual plastic drains forcing us to rip out all the plumbing leading to the drains and start over so yeah they deserved to get fired. Anyways, just use a rubber gasket which will create a much tighter seal and stop half-assing a project. Do it with perfection or don't do it at all! BTW, nearly all that could've been done much much easier if you knew how to choose the correct fittings for the job... Just saying!
I'm not a plumber and I'm not doing this as a guaranteed job for someone as a licensed plumber, so for me, the plumber's putty works just fine. I've never had a pipe or bucket fail from the putty. It's also strange that they sell the putty in a plastic container if your theory is correct. A rubber gasket is difficult to install because the bucket is curved and fittings are made for flat surfaces. It doesn't leak with the plumber's putty and if it did lose a few drops who cares, it's a pool filter. The only way to do something new is to try, and then learn from what worked and what didn't. We can't start at perfection every time. As the saying goes, "Perfect is the enemy of good enough". My filter is good enough for what I need it to do.
Wouldn’t it be nice if a professional plumber could simply share hie/her knowledge and give some CONSTRUCTIVE tips and advice? Why do you have to be a dick? Do you just need to talk down to people to make yourself feel better or what?? And that made me laugh...that the putty comes in a plastic container. Hahaha! As far as I’m concerned, Well done. It doesnt have to be perfect, it just has to WORK. I’m sure he will get ideas from comments and/or with each time he rebuilds it if he decides to make improvements...or stick with his original model since it seems to be working just fine for him. It’s not like the putty ate through the bucket leaving the discharge hose on the ground, and if it did he just needs to go get another $4 bucket? And if you get fired when the Inspector comes, just collect unemployment and float around in your nice clean pool! 🤦🏻♀️
I too followed the instructions and had sand coming the discharge hose. I used panty hose on the discharge tube. That eliminates the issue. Also, IMPORTANT....this is not a gas pedal. Gotta be Patient with the volume of water supplied. Go SLOW. Dont crank up the volume of water too much. Take your time dialing in the water pressure. If the bucket is bulging , you are too high on the pressure
Built this one over the weekend for the kids 2500 gal pool. Had to go to a heavier duty bucket though... Ropak with a U5 lid and its working great now. Thanks for the video!
Glad to hear it. The one i built last year in the video worked perfectly for me this spring. Don't throw yours away, I'll bet it will be good next year.
3 barrels or 3 buckets ; Fine gravel , Sand, Charcoal = clear onto UV filter and Drink . For other option 100 mesh *S.pin** D.own F.ilter* , 12v pump regulated pressure onto 500 mesh sdf , 1000 mesh spf onto Whole home Filter persay a Dultan Rio 2000 Ceramic .09 (off amazon) onto the home & a UV filter if so desired for whole home or tapped 1 designated Drinking water/cooking tap =Bam enjoy Great do it Urself sand filter for ur pool 🤓Noice 👍 Ever thought of Going Salt water instead of all those harsh clorines and the Body harm they do ? Kills bacteria in ur system your body needs . I prefer No Chem approach ; salt if so desired which is good for ur skin and Sheen for ur hair . Hwvr Gravel, sand, Charcoal purification does just fine too . Think of it as a Giant fish tank filtration system .
@@houseslosttribe1351 my pool is salt water and at the correct level, but algae built up on bottom. Also oils and such from skin or soap remaining in a person's body cause a white foamy slick. That why I'm trying to supplement the small pool filter.
Make sure you have pool filter sand. Get it at a pool supply store. Also make sure that the holes in the pipe are pointing down. That pipe can rotate when you are working on it. Put a mark on the fitting on the outside of the bucket before you put the sand in so you can see which way the holes are facing. You want the holes facing the bottom of the bucket.
Couple of comments after putting one together for myself. Make sure you have a rubber washer for the top hose connection. The parts I was able to locate no longer include a washer so I wound up using a garden hose washer instead. Next the only stainless steel sump pump I could find was 1/2 HP instead of 1/4 HP. It was probably the increased pressure but I also drilled a lot more holes in the PVC pipe close together. Either way the sand was being forced out of the 5 gallon bucket. I wound up cutting up and zip tying a generic wet shop vac filter around the pipe in the bucket. That did the trick.
Thanks very much - I used this video's sand filtering concept + larger bucket for a pool filter for my 650 gallon intex pool I got on discount ($50) at Toys R Us. (Philippines). For the bucket I upscaled to a 2nd hand super-chlor Calcium Hypochlorite 40 kg plastic ($3 each) has flat side section for hand carrying and screw lid, so no need to drill through the lid or sides - so you can use standard tank plastic screw type bulkheads - no need for the expensive putty. Sand was local volcanic sand, hand filtered to eliminate fines below about 1mm. Pipe local blue (water) PVC. A few mods using 4 ball valves, 1 " screw type $2 each and 1" tees are worth considering to this design hooked up with an inexpensive 1/2 hp - 25 litres per min peripheral pump ($30) The first is an inline stop to the pump on the outlet side. The next stop comes off a tee after the first and before the sand-filter inlet. Opening the second stop valve reduces bucket pressure leaks and strain on the motor - that pinging sound, via using a pool return hose which also doubles as a priming hose. The final stop is off a T on the outlet side, this connects to a garden hose for back flushing. The pool was crystal clear after adding bleach and running the filter for about 3 hours.
Hi - an update on my design. The problem with this particular bucket is that it can't handle the pressure from a 1/2 hp motor without leaks- I've modified the design to incorporate two buckets which should be OK - but I'll keep the return stop off a tee just in case I'll need it. It's very hard finding the optimum fittings in the Philippines, so I'm experimenting with what I can find. The buckets are probably worth a go trying to get higher pressure but you probably would need a two part putty plumbers use to seal the groves as they were designed for powder.
I went down a few dry gullies trying to get a seal working - tried a few options so far without success. Some buckets seal better than others because their compression point at the rim - lid intersection is a better fit. The screw lid provides the compression for the job the container was designed for, but not for a pressurized water seal. One method on youtube for dry storage containers shows a peanut butter jar being sealed with an old bicycle inner-tube cut to fit the lid. I'll experiment with hot-glue and silicone and try to achieve the same result.
Thank you! This might be the most informative DIY sand filter video I’ve found. How come you didn’t place a fabric sleeve around the discharge pipe to prevent the filter from pumping sanding out?
I modeled this after a standard sand filter for pools. The laterals at the bottom of sand filters don't have sleeves, they just are pipes with holes in the bottom and the sand doesn't come out.
You guys better be happy that you didn't have my father and grandparents teaching you guys about tools if I were to call a pair of channel locks Flyers they would have ripped it out of my hand and started beating me with it and saying they were channel locks explaining that every tool has its own name learn them get it right
Ok, so my problem is my lid is coming loose once the bucket becomes pressurized from the pump. Water begins spraying from sections of the lid. I'm going to try making my holes bigger on the drain pipe - I'm using a 1/2hp sump pump. Any body else encounter this problem with suggestions for a remedy? I may try clamping the bucket with two wood boards and clamps.
You have to dial down the flow rate via the ball valve on top. The lid is not designed to resist super high pressure. One thing that I did was to sandwich the lid on the bucket using wood boards on top and bottom of the bucket connected with long threaded rods, about 1/4" diameter.
Nice. I'm off grid, but do have 1500 watts of power and a 330 GPH low suction transfer pump. I'm trying to clean 50 gallons of water for bathing without a lot of chlorine or chemicals. I do have access to white sand I can filter any organic material from. Is there a smaller scale design and how long will it take to clear the water to safe?
i just back flush it a few times during the process. i have not changed it yet.. I changed my pool filter sand this year, which was after 8 or 9 years of use.
I show the parts starting around 1:30 in the Part 1 video. I don't have a printed parts list. I found a better connection to the lid since i made this video. I now use a plastic bulkhead, like this one: www.amazon.com/Lifegard-Aquatics-Double-Threaded-Bulkhead/dp/B001EUG9PU, to attach the ball valve to the lid and the hose.
Correct. The chlorine makes it clear, the sand filters out the dead algae, decomposed leaves and other particles that make the water cloudy and unappealing.
I would be extremely surprised if that blend of sand and gravel does filtration of anything other than leaves and stuff. A bit of pool shock would be better if added directly to the pool afterwards, either way it's going to be hell on your pool's filter and chemical levels.
Could this work to filter and chlorinate a large kiddie pool? The inflatable ones that a whole family can fit in, but not quite the bigger intex above ground. The ones usually between $20-40 price range. I don't want to waste water constantly filling and dumping it!
Teflon tape on the threads of a garden hose fitting is stupid and pointless.... It's got a rubber seal. Often time using Teflon on something with a rubber seal causes it to leak......
Just made one and picked up some quikrete poll sand. It had no gravel and super fine sand. It basically washed right out the bottom. So not all pool sand is the same or like what you used. I'm gonna try again with some charcoal, small gravel and the pool sand in top, maybe some gravel on the very top. Hopefully that will work.
Make sure your discharge pipe at the bottom has the holes pointing down. Put a mark on it when you are putting things together. It can get rotated when you are attaching the hose and if the holes point up, the sand can come out.
@@MustangResto the pressure builds up in a bucket trying to get through sand and a mesh filter I put in to prevent the sand from going through. Finally pulled the bucket and sand and am trying a trap type filter loaded with the green scrub type mesh.
Make sure your discharge pipe at the bottom has the holes pointing down. Put a mark on it when you are putting things together. It can get rotated when you are attaching the hose and if the holes point up, the sand can come out.
So, question. I just built this exact same thing yesterday. Works great, but all it does is pump a samd water mixture out of the tube. I bought hth pool filter sand. Maybe I have the wrong kind?
it's easy for the discharge pipe inside the bucket to rotate when you install the hose on the outside. Your discharge pipe might have the holes pointing up. Take the sand out and put a mark on the discharge pipe on the outside of the bucket so you can tell which way the holes are pointing. You want them to point down. Also, try reducing the flow rate by closing off the ball valve on the lid a bit. some people have wrapped the discharge pipe with a stocking.
@@MustangResto Thanks for the reply. I did exactly that and it works like a charm now. Funny though, my wife suggested that when I was building it and I didn't do it. Should've listened!
There could be several reasons: are you using pool filter sand? Are the holes in the discharge pipe facing the bottom of the bucket? It's easy for the pipe to rotate and if the holes are pointing up, then the sand can come out. Try lowering the pressure of the water coming through the bucket by closing the valve on the lid.
I had the idea of a small sand filter for my kids pool and run across your video. I followed along closely with few changes and I can't keep the sand in the bucket. It just comes right out. I used pool filter sand so I'm not entirely sure what the deal is. I would appreciate your help. Thanks
Not sure what changes you made. Make sure that the pipe in the bucket has the holes only on the bottom. The water won't lift the sand into the pipe. Also make sure that when you screw on the exterior barbed fitting, the pipe doesn't spin inside the bucket. I didn't show it that way in the video, i put the sand in before i put on the barbed fitting. Put the barbed fitting on first, before you put the sand in, and make sure when you are done that the holes are on the bottom of the pipe. If the holes are facing up, sand will enter the pipe. Make sure the pipe has an end cap. You could get some weed block fabric, or a stocking, and wrap the pipe inside the bucket with the fabric. It lets the water through but not sand. I've been using this filter design with nothing on the outlet pipe for 7 or 8 years, and it works fine. There will be a small amount of sand that comes out the first time you use it for the first minute, but after that, nothing. You can buy pool filter sand at a pool supply store, don't use play sand.
I really didn't make any changes other then using some different fittings. Couldn't find the exact ones you used but all in all the same. The holes are on the bottom at a slight angle just as yours were from what I could tell. I tightened everything up and added the sand then poured some water in to see if it would work and sand came pouring out and wouldn't stop. I tried using a thin sock to stop the sand and that helped but it really seemed like a restriction. I made sure to use to use the right sand I double checked that. I keep messing with it to see if I can get it straight thanks for your quick response.
This also woks great with some charcoal on top of the sand and use it for drinking water filters I use 2 of them off grid the water stays perfect in my 300 gal storage tank
Charcoal is great at removal of off tastes, colours and odours by adsorption / oxidation of Natural Organise Matter. And yes if you don't want to invest in Activated Charcoal made with real coconut husk, then use BBQ charcoal, though I am not sure if BBQ briquettes sold in USA would work. In my neck of the woods, we use REAL charcoal chunks for BBQ
There is a piece of PVC pipe at the bottom of the bucket with holes drilled in the bottom. This is how the water gets out of the filter. Go back and watch the video.
I suggest you change it every 3 or 4 years. What you will find is that the bucket will wear out over time and that is a good time to replace the sand also.
@@MustangResto You can continue using it even longer, if you boil it every couple of years and remove the fines. With use, the size of the sand grains becomes smaller due to rubbing with each other and the fines must be removed, else they might clog the system
I am blow away by the simplicity of design and build of this system. Bravo. It’s definitely a good way to re-use the water accumulated on top of the cover. Just ignore all the ppl who “know” how to keep water off the cover or advocate throwing that water away. You have, indeed, done a great job and should get credit for the idea and the execution. Not to take away anything from your excellent idea, may I put some pointers for improvement in future execution: 1/ While your system is relatively low flow / low pressure, and you did not seem to have any issues with suspended sand / debris flowing out of the discharge, it would be good to have around 25%-30% free head space on top of the sand bed. That would allow the bed to fluidize safely, without anything, but water, coming out of the discharge 2/ It might be a good idea to put a few bricks on the lid of filter bucket, to keep it closed under pressure. 3/ I would put a mesh screen under the discharge outlet to entrap any sand / debris particles trying to escape 4/ A mesh sleeve around the perforated pipe spreader would do the same during the back wash cycle
You are correct about the free head space. I now probably have about 20% free space and we only get water out of the discharge. I made a clamp system using some wood boards and threaded rods to keep the lid on. I don't get sand out of the discharge, so the mesh screen isn't necessary, but would work. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Hello Dave, great video! I followed your instructions and ran into a few snags that I hope you can help with. Do you run your pump at full power? I see that you installed a valve at the top of the bucket, but you left it wide open. I have a different pump than yours, but also 1/4hp and I don't think there's a way to reduce power at the pump. My bucket is not holding pressure at all when the valve is wide open, leaks galore and lid pops off. Is it just a matter of getting a different bucket with a tighter fitting lid? I'm a little hesitant to close the valve partially, won't that damage to the pump? Also, did you mix your pool sand with gravel or buy any sort of special course sand? I have zero experience with sand filters, so not sure if this is a stupid question, but the pool sand I got from the pool store is much finer than what you used, no little rocks in it at all, and the sand just comes right out with the water. I had trouble hearing you in that part of the video, I think you may have me mentioned adding gravel/rocks but also said that wasn't necessary? Maybe I misunderstood which part is unnecessary, adding the rocks or placing them under the pipe first. I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!
No, you can't run the pump at full flow, the bucket cannot withstand the pressure. You can try and add some boards on top of the lid and under the bottom connected by long threaded rods to increase the pressure. if the sand comes out, reduce the pressure and make sure the holes in the return pipe are pointing down. You can add a layer of small crushed stones around the pipe to about an inch above the top of the pipe. Other people wrap theirs with a mesh fabric.
The water is on top of the cover, not under it. There is nothing to shock when we cover the pool. Of course the water in the pool under the cover is in great condition.
![[Limbus Company - Teaser] Season5 - Oblivion](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8anKuEeZLeI/mqdefault.jpg)
I love how you show the dimensions. Very easy to read if you don't hear correctly. Excellent step by step instructions.
Thanks for the comments.
I came across your video in my you-tube history, and I've finally figured out where I got the design for the filters I use with my small garden pool, thanks! I have three similar bucket filters which I run continuously, with the 1000 gallon-per-hour pump pulling water through the filters.
Thanks for commenting and I'm glad the filters are working for you too.
I really like this video. Yes, their are those who are negative about it but I know so many people with smaller pools, more portable not in ground, but are constantly draining and refilling their pools. Their water and chemical bills are outrageous in the summer. I've never understood why they don't invest in a better filtration system. I could use your idea and clean people's portable pools and make a living.
Interested to see how it turns out not quite finished but you should never use teflon tape when there is already a gasket. You are just making it harder to tighten down onto the gasket. And should use plumbers putty more like a moldable gasket rather than a sealer and use about 10 times less. Not trying to be harsh. Just trying to help out. Like you are doing with your video.
Mustang I dont mean to harp on your kit, you used those bulkhead fittings wrong there meant to sandwich your bucket lid between the two parts of just that fitting then you can screw what ever matching thread into the inner threads of it
Yes, that's the one area where I've had the most difficulty- finding the best way to connect the hose to the bucket.
Great video! So cheap and easy, can't wait to try this.
Let me know how it works for you.
Will do.
Thanks for creating such a great video that is clear and easy to make. Unfortunately, my filter actually DID pump the sand right into the pool! I picked up most of my supplies at lowes, including the quikrete pool filter sand. It is #20 Silica as needed, but I think it may be too fine. There definitely are not any gravel pieces like yours has. Wondering if the gravel is actually more of an important component than you led on in the video? Looking for ways to fix this.
I get my sand at Leslie's pool. Make sure that the holes in the discharge pipe are pointing down. The pipe can get rotated and if the holes are on the top, it's easier for the sand to return to the pool.
Same problem. I just finished mine tonight and instead of filtering the water (in my dog’s kiddie pool) it is turning it into a sand box! The holes are pointing down and I used pool sand from Ace Swim & Leisure (shout out the Andrew Senise, the Sales Rep in Webster NY who is AMAZING!!). I did everything the same except used a Uniseal instead of Plumber’s Putty and connected the inner pipe to a female slip to male threaded adapter, which was pushed half way through the Uniseal for the connection and seal.
I dumped the sand into another 5g bucket and added gravel up to the pipe then poured the sand back (and also duct taped the lid down because the pressure kept popping it off with water gushing over) and it is still pumping the sand through just as it had before...didnt help at all. And I dont mean a little sand...I mean it’s filling the hose and dumping out the end.
A few questions...
1. Does the “filter” have to be above the pump? Can it sit on the ground next to the kiddie pool, or should I sit it up on a chair?
b. Is it possible the pump is just too strong? would it maybe help if I use a much longer hose between the two? Right now I think it’s about 6ft.
HELP?!?!
Thank you in advance!!
planing on doing this pool pumps went expensive after Covid
good luck.
I think I'd figure out way to either keep water off the cover or pump it off as it is collecting there. Maybe a sump pump with a float switch. An oz of prevention is worth a pound of cure ;-)
This is my 2nd year that I am trying to reconstruct it. This weekend my 3rd version but I still fail. it is also difficult to commercialize the same material in the netherlands. Sad but true.
Hoi bij wildkamp hebben dit spul .
Groetjes gil
Did the galvanized stock tank swimming pool, but live in the dry windy desert. Bought an Intex cartridge style pool filter, but the filter needed to be cleaned or changed every twenty minutes.
Tried this, followed instructions exactly. Everything went together smoothly, no leaks, but this things barfs sand out incredibly. Used pool sand.
I’ll try it again in the morning, but it was a comical failure. Looked like diarrhea bucket.
Maybe your bottom pipe has the holes facing up.
1/Leave 25%-30% free head space (on top of the sand bed) - for a 12” high bucket, fill 8” with sand and leave the top 4” empty.
2/ put a screen mesh inside the lid, to cover the discharge pipe connection.
Hello I know u said in the vid about what u used but was just wondering if u could write it in the comments what parts and sizes ur using plz lol I would like to build one to but an lost on what u used to build it
8:20 That's a little extra. Just use a hole saw drill bit again to cut the hole lol.
Didn't have one.
Terri HetzMurph,
I've never had more than a tablespoon of sand come out of the filter the first time I put water through it after I built it. Once it's up and running, sand never comes out, not even after a back flush. Make sure you are using pool filter sand from a pool store, not play sand for a child's sandbox. You could try wrapping the outlet pipe with a stocking. Make sure the holes in the outlet pipe are facing down. My guess is that the pipe rotated and the holes are facing up.
It could be fixed easily making it like a drainage Wrap a tube with holes with a some kind of geotextile and it will prevent even this small amount of sand to escape
Thanks for this great video, i read an article from internet very useful: www.bestpoolcleaners.net/best-pool-filter-reviews/
For pool we would have to use silica type pool sand or at least natural de alternative to filter such stuff
You do need gravel at the bottom of the bucket. I did smaller holes and when the water was passing thru it sand came out.
OK thanks.
Built one of these one the weekend. It was super simple to assemble. Unfortunately, the sand flows out of the discharge almost as fast as the water! Not sure if I did something wrong of if the sand I'm using isn't right for the task, though it's sold as pool filter sand. Any advice?
Make sure that the holes in the discharge pipe are pointing down. The pipe can get rotated and if the holes are on the top, it's easier for the sand to return to the pool.
Post a list of what we will need
I made a filter of my own using your ideas. I have a problem, though. The sand that I use comes out of the pipe into the pool. I made similar sized holes. The only part I see responsible for the problem would be the finer sand I use (doesn't have pebbles and other small rocks). Could you help me, please?
Make sure your discharge pipe at the bottom has the holes pointing down. Put a mark on it when you are putting things together. It can get rotated when you are attaching the hose and if the holes point up, the sand can come out.
@@MustangResto Thank you! I'll try again.
I can not get the sand to stop coming out! I’m using pool filter sand and followed your design exactly. Could it be that the bucked is elevated?
Try lowering the water flow rate and make sure that the holes in the pipe are pointing down. it's easy for the pipe to rotate in the bucket before you put the sand in.
could I use this setup to filter my whole pool just tonget it clean, not necessarily a permanent filter. I'm having a real tough time getting my above ground intex pool clean/clear. it's still a muddy-green cloudy color even after shocking, vacuuming, brushing, shocking, flocking etc. the filter that came with the pool just sucks
it's probably 12000 gallons
You might be better off just buying a better filter. I am filtering around 3500 gallons with this system and it takes about 3 days of continuous operation to get the water looking clear. I use a relatively small pump at a slow rate of flow. Make sure your chemistry is right. i can have problems in the pool using the real filter if the chemistry is off.
I'm here for the same reason. Looking to add a second filter to run at the same time and too broke to buy a new one. Once you have algae in an Intex pool with the filter that came with it, drain it and refill. That's what I've learned this summer. It has been a nightmare. One thing I've figured out is to pour a little pool clarifier into the water where the filter is and it makes the filter work much better. I literally clean the filter off 3X a day and still struggling with algae because as soon as the chlorine starts getting down to a swimmable level, if the algae hasn't been filtered out, it's back.
Chlorine won't get algae out of your pool once it's in there. You need to use algaecide. I use one with chelated copper and it works well. If there is algae in the pool, brush and vacuum. Put in a heavy dose of algaecide and brush and vacuum daily. it should clear up in a week or so.
I've solved the problem without algaecide, but will note that in the future. I have discovered that there are places where the vinyl has a flap of excess at the seams that algae hides under. Also, around the top there are places where algae hides. I had to mix some water and bleach and zap it.
MustangResto algaecide only prevents algae it won’t kill it . Chlorine shocks the water and that’s what kills algae
the issue is sand not which hydraulic connections in buckets buckets
I’m having a really hard time stopping the sand from flowing out of the hose. I know you said that it shouldn’t come out, but I’ve done 3 attempts now and each time I fill an entire other bucket with sand. I just can’t find any way to stop it from happening. Any advice?
Make sure you have pool filter sand. Get it at a pool supply store. Also make sure that the holes in the pipe are pointing down. That pipe can rotate when you are working on it. Put a mark on the fitting on the outside of the bucket before you put the sand in so you can see which way the holes are facing. You want the holes facing the bottom of the bucket.
Sean Gerti We did a similar sand filter setup for water and found a mesh sleeve, like panty hose, over the pipe can work to retain the sand.
What kind of sand is used, just did it and the sand came out with the water.
It's pool filter sand. Get it at a pool supply store. Also make sure that the holes in the pipe are pointing down. That pipe can rotate when you are working on it. Put a mark on the fitting on the outside of the bucket before you put the sand in so you can see which way the holes are facing. You want the holes facing the bottom of the bucket.
built this same way you did, but I have nothing but sand coming out, my pipe in the bucket with the hole are facing straight down, in this video you said you don't have to have rock so I did with out and second round I put lava rock at bottom then the sand. but both times I have sand coming out. need help
make sure you are using pool filter sand, not play sand or some other type. i have used this design for 6 or more years without sand problems. if you can't make it work this way, you could try wrapping the pipe in the bucket with a nylon stocking or some other kind of filter fabric.
I too have this issue, just built it and nothing but sand is coming out. I got "Pool Filter Sand" (not play sand or paver sand) from Home Depot but it is nowhere near as coarse as shown in the video. Also, I have no pebbles in mine at all.I'm guessing there are different grades but how would I have known?
Do you have a parts list?
I find it easier to keep my pool crystal clear year round.
Can't do that here in the winter. Everything freezes. The pool gets ice on top that is over 4 inches thick.
Get a mesh winter cover.
Couldn't you just plumb in a hose adapter on the suction side plumbing with a ball valve on your pool pump and run a vacuum hose with a vacuum head on it and then unplug a return or two under the cover and prime the pump and backwash the filter before filtering the water if you didn't backwash on fall closing, thats how I do my cousins pool cover when it's got alot of water on it when I open
That is an interesting idea. I backwash when I close in the fall, so the pool sand filter is clean in the spring. So you are saying I can connect a hose to one of the inlet lines to the pool pump, probably through the skimmer, and then use the pool pump and filter to clean the water on the cover. I would only get one pass through the pool sand filter before the water went under the cover, which makes me a little nervous. I'm not sure how clean the water would be after one pass. I know the pool pump and filter is more efficient than my set-up, but I don't want to put dirty water in the pool. The main issue I have is with the algae on the pool cover. You can see in the videos that the water starts off really green and I get it clear before it goes under the cover. I could use your idea after I use my bucket filter to put the water under the cover if I can get a big enough hose on it to keep up with the pool pump demand. It pumps a lot of water.
MustangResto you could set the vacuum head in a net like you did the pump in a bucket and run the vacuum hose to the skimmer and then open one or two of your returns in the pool, it may cloud the water just a little but when you add your start up chemicals like your tablets and shock it will clear up in a couple of days I'll do a video next spring and I'll tag you in it usually takes a whole day from 8 in the morning till 5-7 in the evening
@@MustangResto Very Risky. While the pool pump and filter seem larger in size, they are not designed to clean so much algae and foreign matter in one pass. They can take care of the load of contaminants during a normal run, of an already clean pool. I would advise you to stick to your parallel system and don't overload / pollute your (more costly) main filter. You have a good design. Stick to it.
Has anyone been able to find the bulkhead fitting he used. I've googled it and searched the brass craft site and couldn't find it . It is a 1/2 inch FIP to 1-3/8 inch thread shank. Any help will be appreciated. I'd hate to have to 3d print one ; )
i got all of my parts at Home Depot and Lowes at different times.
Chlorine tabs do not kill algae algaecide kills algae. I admit that it's fun to build stuff but if you would have just used some copper sulfate you'd be done in 10 minutes
LOL, my 5 Gallons Bucket lasted under 5 Minutes before it blew up! What a waste of Time + Money + Effort!
yeah, filters are like little bombs which is why they have a psi gauges on them. Nothing he made on here seems right and obviously from your comment. also dangerous!
it blew up by the pressure built up by a 1/4 HP pump?
Metal bucket works better, same design other wise..
Is it me or is this overly complex?
Nah it's not
Why not just use your pools existing filtration system? It's what its designed to do.
I'd rather not introduce algae into the pool.
MustangResto , Sir what do you use to keep the gorgeous swimming pool crystal clear clean, I wanna know the secret
Your old bucket was made in cambridge oh. It and the lid should have said was Encore Plastics
I'll check it out.
I had a swimming pool for 10 years. Never once in 10 years was my pool water anything but clear when I opened it up in the spring. If you clean your pool before you close it up. Increase the chlorine level and us a good quality cover you will be fine. Keep the cover clear of debris and excess water. Pump off the excess water before you take the cover off. The pool in this video is neglected, plain and simple. No excuse for that. If you don't want to take care of your pool, don't own one.
You should watch Part 5. When we remove the cover the pool is clean. No neglect here. If you don't understand what you are watching in the videos, don't make a comment, plain and simple. No excuse for that. Did I get that right?
Hes cleaning the water on top of the pool cover 🤦🏽♀️
Do you think I can add this filter to an above the ground pool pump?
Maybe. If you are going to try and use it in place of your sand filter then you might have problems keeping the lid on the bucket. I use a relatively small submersible pump and a garden hose to run mine. If you have an above ground pool pump setup, it might be more powerful than the plastic bucket lid can handle.
MustangResto my pump is the kind of one that has the paper filters so I'm thinking on add this filter so I don't spend the 200 that the sand filter for my pool cost my concern was if my pump will be strong enough to run the water trough it btw your videos are really well explained thanks
Ingrid Galindo no
Ingrid galindo
Did you try this? Did it work? I'm thinking of trying the same thing with my cartridge filter
46 years as a professional pool operator and service tech and I have never seen such a ridiculous operation in my life. Please people don't follow this advice.
David Larson Why?
I cannot figure out what the hell this guy is doing- all of this nonsense to save the water on top of the cover? I don't use a cover, I live in Florida, but adding liquid chlorine to the water on the cover to clear it up, then brushing the cover to clean it up, then pumping the dirty water off the pool cover to waste. Why build a silly sand filter when a real sand filter and pump is already hooked up to the pool.
David Larson why would u lose your job? My filter like this works great . Sounds like someone is jealous
David Larson your old school and jealous ass hat lol. I live in the deep South we run pool all yr around so pool always beautiful. It's a saltwater system which is a lot easier
Lol my thoughts exactly. You would be better off buying a safety cover. Pool be full when open and water will be clear. Also looks a lot nicer and is much safer.
Can anyone tell me what is the white thing (cake-like)? Thank you!
It's a chlorine tab from my swimming pool chlorinator.
that is a big ass pool
If you say so.
MustangResto it is really big for residential
LOOP LOC!
That's not how a through bulkhead fitting works
WiggleWorx
🙄of course there’s gonna be a hater. So let’s have it! Explain to us how a through bulkhead fitting works. I mean obviously it’s working correctly for him!!! Don’t be a hater all your life man. Move out of mommy’s basement and get your own pool and then you can make all the videos you want and school all of us on the correct way to use bulkhead a fitting. Such a 🐓🍭
Hi. Which sand/gravel (size), where to buy?
I use pool filter sand that comes from a pool supply store.
@@MustangResto I just put this together and I am getting sand and water coming out of the hose. I used pool filter sand and it continuously pushes water and sand out the bottom of the bucket. Thank you for creating this video and hopefully troubleshooting.
Keith Culbertson having same issues, did u get yours resolved?
Keith Culbertson I’m also getting the same problem - did you find a solution?
Why not just pump the water off onto the ground? Why do you filter and put it back in pool?
It would take days to pump off the water on the cover. There is the issue with where is that water going, it's probably around 10,000 gallons and then I would need to replace the water. It's a lot easier to just clean it since it's already there.
i rented a pump for $20 from my pool supply for an afternoon- it drained my 5,000 gallon pool in 2 hours. . yes 2 hours.
Melanie Stewart I use a trash pump on my 40,000 gallons. Usually about 1 1/2 hours
I can get the 5-7k gallons siphoned off my cover in the spring with the same 9 garden hoses just siphoning the water in under 3 hours. Every year start those at around 7am on a Saturday morning and I am pulling the cover off by 10 am.
@@JamesBuell88 I use my dad's 70 Ford Galaxie to pump the water out of my pool, fuckin plug it to the motor and open the throttle and BOOM, the fuckin water just evaporates under the speed of that old boy. I can pump 500,000 gallons in 30min and not even going all the way down on the gas pedal
Will you come make me one please?
2:43 "big gigantic nut"
Interesting build, but it was disappointing in the fact that it should have been stated by you first off that it's actually the huge pills of chlorine that clears the water :P WHich in my case is not viable because I need this for a fish pond. Otherwise it's just one of the many variations of a basic (slow) sand filter :)
Why don’t you just by a cover pump?? My cover NEVER LOOKS LIKE THAT!! 🤮
dude... show use it working before how to build it. Thx tho. Portable sand filter is a good idea.
Im using a Walmart 40$ dirty water sump pump i rigged to pool hoses to vacuum the pool. Uses alot less water, gets better pressure, doesnt clog near as bad, and is easier to clean and start and stop
do you have a link for the pump? I'd like to get one like that.
@@MustangResto Its a Store that sells stuff in Walmart.com only. Or something. There is more than one person selling the same pump also. I bought it back in 2015 or so and its been very nice having it. I need to make a video of how im draining the patio and how it floods everytime it rains. And how i convert it to vacuum the pool.
It was 40$ when i got it and idk the HP or wattage. Probably the 1/2hp 400w one which looks the same as the other 2.
www.walmart.com/ip/Ktaxon-1-2-HP-Submersible-Dirty-Sewage-Water-Clean-Sump-Dewatering-Utility-Pump/283999266?selected=true
I cant believe the improper use of materials as well as why you would pump it back into the pool? Wrong use of putty, bulkhead. No need gor this gizmo!
It all works. Believe it.
@@MustangResto No matter what the naysayers say, if it works, it works. All the components were made for use by humans with a brain and there can be no misuse, as long as safety is not compromised
This is 5he laimest video ive seen in long time
If you are going to make a negative comment it's best to not make two spelling mistakes, one grammatical mistake, and two punctuation mistakes. Need I say more?
yes sir I give myself a F- after this one.i m not sure I could have fked this up any worse.
That’s not how you use plumbers putty who ever told you is wrong
Nobody told me anything. It works for me, so apparently it is how you can use it. Whoever told you is wrong.
I was with you all the way until you used the Plumbers Putty on contact with the *Plastic* Bucket and *PVC* Pipe. If you'd have read the very few words on the exact Oatey Putty container you'd have read, *"DO NOT USE ON PLASTIC!"* Reason being is that the putty is Petroleum Based and will degrade all plastics including your bucket and PVC pipe. I used to be a Journeyman Plumber I remember several guys get fired over time just for using that putty on metallic coated plastic drains. With each of those plumbers it was the inspector himself who spotted the putty and the actual plastic drains forcing us to rip out all the plumbing leading to the drains and start over so yeah they deserved to get fired. Anyways, just use a rubber gasket which will create a much tighter seal and stop half-assing a project. Do it with perfection or don't do it at all!
BTW, nearly all that could've been done much much easier if you knew how to choose the correct fittings for the job... Just saying!
I'm not a plumber and I'm not doing this as a guaranteed job for someone as a licensed plumber, so for me, the plumber's putty works just fine. I've never had a pipe or bucket fail from the putty. It's also strange that they sell the putty in a plastic container if your theory is correct. A rubber gasket is difficult to install because the bucket is curved and fittings are made for flat surfaces. It doesn't leak with the plumber's putty and if it did lose a few drops who cares, it's a pool filter. The only way to do something new is to try, and then learn from what worked and what didn't. We can't start at perfection every time. As the saying goes, "Perfect is the enemy of good enough". My filter is good enough for what I need it to do.
Wouldn’t it be nice if a professional plumber could simply share hie/her knowledge and give some CONSTRUCTIVE tips and advice? Why do you have to be a dick? Do you just need to talk down to people to make yourself feel better or what??
And that made me laugh...that the putty comes in a plastic container. Hahaha! As far as I’m concerned, Well done. It doesnt have to be perfect, it just has to WORK. I’m sure he will get ideas from comments and/or with each time he rebuilds it if he decides to make improvements...or stick with his original model since it seems to be working just fine for him. It’s not like the putty ate through the bucket leaving the discharge hose on the ground, and if it did he just needs to go get another $4 bucket? And if you get fired when the Inspector comes, just collect unemployment and float around in your nice clean pool! 🤦🏻♀️
hydrogen peroxide...before you cover...
Hydrogen peroxide is a chlorine neutralizer.
Thiosulfate 😂
I too followed the instructions and had sand coming the discharge hose. I used panty hose on the discharge tube. That eliminates the issue. Also, IMPORTANT....this is not a gas pedal. Gotta be Patient with the volume of water supplied. Go SLOW. Dont crank up the volume of water too much. Take your time dialing in the water pressure. If the bucket is bulging , you are too high on the pressure
Water Pump recommendation?
Thanks for the panty tip. I had the same sand problem😁
I tried using panty hose, and it actually backed up to the point of spilling out of the bucket. Where and how much did you use?
Built this one over the weekend for the kids 2500 gal pool. Had to go to a heavier duty bucket though... Ropak with a U5 lid and its working great now. Thanks for the video!
Glad to hear it. The one i built last year in the video worked perfectly for me this spring. Don't throw yours away, I'll bet it will be good next year.
Imagine what you could do with a 55 gallon rain barrel
3 barrels or 3 buckets ;
Fine gravel , Sand, Charcoal = clear onto UV filter and Drink .
For other option 100 mesh *S.pin** D.own F.ilter* , 12v pump regulated pressure onto 500 mesh sdf , 1000 mesh spf onto Whole home Filter persay a Dultan Rio 2000 Ceramic .09 (off amazon) onto the home & a UV filter if so desired for whole home or tapped 1 designated Drinking water/cooking tap =Bam enjoy
Great do it Urself sand filter for ur pool 🤓Noice 👍
Ever thought of Going Salt water instead of all those harsh clorines and the Body harm they do ?
Kills bacteria in ur system your body needs .
I prefer No Chem approach ; salt if so desired which is good for ur skin and Sheen for ur hair .
Hwvr Gravel, sand, Charcoal purification does just fine too .
Think of it as a Giant fish tank filtration system .
William McSorley
What could we do with one?
@@houseslosttribe1351 my pool is salt water and at the correct level, but algae built up on bottom. Also oils and such from skin or soap remaining in a person's body cause a white foamy slick.
That why I'm trying to supplement the small pool filter.
😲
Sand came out as fast as the water. Did not work
Did you ever find a solution? I’m having the same problem
Did you find a way to fix it?
Make sure you have pool filter sand. Get it at a pool supply store. Also make sure that the holes in the pipe are pointing down. That pipe can rotate when you are working on it. Put a mark on the fitting on the outside of the bucket before you put the sand in so you can see which way the holes are facing. You want the holes facing the bottom of the bucket.
Couple of comments after putting one together for myself. Make sure you have a rubber washer for the top hose connection. The parts I was able to locate no longer include a washer so I wound up using a garden hose washer instead. Next the only stainless steel sump pump I could find was 1/2 HP instead of 1/4 HP. It was probably the increased pressure but I also drilled a lot more holes in the PVC pipe close together. Either way the sand was being forced out of the 5 gallon bucket. I wound up cutting up and zip tying a generic wet shop vac filter around the pipe in the bucket. That did the trick.
Glad it worked for you.
Thanks very much - I used this video's sand filtering concept + larger bucket for a pool filter for my 650 gallon intex pool I got on discount ($50) at Toys R Us. (Philippines). For the bucket I upscaled to a 2nd hand super-chlor Calcium Hypochlorite 40 kg plastic ($3 each) has flat side section for hand carrying and screw lid, so no need to drill through the lid or sides - so you can use standard tank plastic screw type bulkheads - no need for the expensive putty. Sand was local volcanic sand, hand filtered to eliminate fines below about 1mm. Pipe local blue (water) PVC. A few mods using 4 ball valves, 1 " screw type $2 each and 1" tees are worth considering to this design hooked up with an inexpensive 1/2 hp - 25 litres per min peripheral pump ($30) The first is an inline stop to the pump on the outlet side. The next stop comes off a tee after the first and before the sand-filter inlet. Opening the second stop valve reduces bucket pressure leaks and strain on the motor - that pinging sound, via using a pool return hose which also doubles as a priming hose. The final stop is off a T on the outlet side, this connects to a garden hose for back flushing. The pool was crystal clear after adding bleach and running the filter for about 3 hours.
I've had someone else suggest the screw lid buckets, so I will seriously look into this. Glad you were able to get your pool clean so quickly.
Hi - an update on my design. The problem with this particular bucket is that it can't handle the pressure from a 1/2 hp motor without leaks- I've modified the design to incorporate two buckets which should be OK - but I'll keep the return stop off a tee just in case I'll need it. It's very hard finding the optimum fittings in the Philippines, so I'm experimenting with what I can find. The buckets are probably worth a go trying to get higher pressure but you probably would need a two part putty plumbers use to seal the groves as they were designed for powder.
I went down a few dry gullies trying to get a seal working - tried a few options so far without success. Some buckets seal better than others because their compression point at the rim - lid intersection is a better fit. The screw lid provides the compression for the job the container was designed for, but not for a pressurized water seal. One method on youtube for dry storage containers shows a peanut butter jar being sealed with an old bicycle inner-tube cut to fit the lid. I'll experiment with hot-glue and silicone and try to achieve the same result.
I might try this on my little intex pool since everyone is price gouging pumps
Haha same
Good luck even finding a pump right now!
For what it's worth, I picked up a pump at Harbor Freight in early May.
@@MustangResto that was the ONE place I didn't think to look!!!
@@MustangResto for how much??? I need to replace my filter on my summer waves quick set pool. Pumps are insanely priced
If you paint it it will never get degraded or brittle because you would be blocking all the UV black works the best for this
Thank you! This might be the most informative DIY sand filter video I’ve found. How come you didn’t place a fabric sleeve around the discharge pipe to prevent the filter from pumping sanding out?
I modeled this after a standard sand filter for pools. The laterals at the bottom of sand filters don't have sleeves, they just are pipes with holes in the bottom and the sand doesn't come out.
You guys better be happy that you didn't have my father and grandparents teaching you guys about tools if I were to call a pair of channel locks Flyers they would have ripped it out of my hand and started beating me with it and saying they were channel locks explaining that every tool has its own name learn them get it right
Sounds like some frustrated guys.
@@MustangResto
They got DSBU, dreaded sperm build up, medical term is blue balls. Legend has it is when da wife quits putting out.
you are a smart man with excellent imagination for innovation. Thumbs up.
Thanks for the nice comment.
Ok, so my problem is my lid is coming loose once the bucket becomes pressurized from the pump. Water begins spraying from sections of the lid. I'm going to try making my holes bigger on the drain pipe - I'm using a 1/2hp sump pump. Any body else encounter this problem with suggestions for a remedy? I may try clamping the bucket with two wood boards and clamps.
You have to dial down the flow rate via the ball valve on top. The lid is not designed to resist super high pressure. One thing that I did was to sandwich the lid on the bucket using wood boards on top and bottom of the bucket connected with long threaded rods, about 1/4" diameter.
Nice. I'm off grid, but do have 1500 watts of power and a 330 GPH low suction transfer pump. I'm trying to clean 50 gallons of water for bathing without a lot of chlorine or chemicals. I do have access to white sand I can filter any organic material from. Is there a smaller scale design and how long will it take to clear the water to safe?
i don't think you can really do much smaller unless you go to an aquarium type filter setup. I can't answer regarding the time.
thanks for sharing your amazing work,,how much time you have to change the sand of the filter?
i just back flush it a few times during the process. i have not changed it yet.. I changed my pool filter sand this year, which was after 8 or 9 years of use.
do you have a parts list?
I show the parts starting around 1:30 in the Part 1 video. I don't have a printed parts list. I found a better connection to the lid since i made this video. I now use a plastic bulkhead, like this one: www.amazon.com/Lifegard-Aquatics-Double-Threaded-Bulkhead/dp/B001EUG9PU, to attach the ball valve to the lid and the hose.
"Its not the sand that takes the water from green to clear, it's the chlorine" 16:23
Correct. The chlorine makes it clear, the sand filters out the dead algae, decomposed leaves and other particles that make the water cloudy and unappealing.
I would be extremely surprised if that blend of sand and gravel does filtration of anything other than leaves and stuff. A bit of pool shock would be better if added directly to the pool afterwards, either way it's going to be hell on your pool's filter and chemical levels.
Could this work to filter and chlorinate a large kiddie pool? The inflatable ones that a whole family can fit in, but not quite the bigger intex above ground. The ones usually between $20-40 price range. I don't want to waste water constantly filling and dumping it!
Katie, sure. I am filtering between 5000 to 7000 gallons with this system.
Teflon tape on the threads of a garden hose fitting is stupid and pointless.... It's got a rubber seal. Often time using Teflon on something with a rubber seal causes it to leak......
Just made one and picked up some quikrete poll sand. It had no gravel and super fine sand. It basically washed right out the bottom. So not all pool sand is the same or like what you used.
I'm gonna try again with some charcoal, small gravel and the pool sand in top, maybe some gravel on the very top. Hopefully that will work.
Make sure your discharge pipe at the bottom has the holes pointing down. Put a mark on it when you are putting things together. It can get rotated when you are attaching the hose and if the holes point up, the sand can come out.
@@MustangResto the pressure builds up in a bucket trying to get through sand and a mesh filter I put in to prevent the sand from going through.
Finally pulled the bucket and sand and am trying a trap type filter loaded with the green scrub type mesh.
When I tried this, my sand all left the bucket. Not sure what I did wrong. Please help
Make sure your discharge pipe at the bottom has the holes pointing down. Put a mark on it when you are putting things together. It can get rotated when you are attaching the hose and if the holes point up, the sand can come out.
this will be helpful, thank you.
K0lk.j.j
Wow that's really clever. Great way to save some water.
thanks. Been watching your stuff. Good to see you back at the Mustang again.
Could’ve just shocked the rain water lol!
So, question. I just built this exact same thing yesterday. Works great, but all it does is pump a samd water mixture out of the tube. I bought hth pool filter sand. Maybe I have the wrong kind?
it's easy for the discharge pipe inside the bucket to rotate when you install the hose on the outside. Your discharge pipe might have the holes pointing up. Take the sand out and put a mark on the discharge pipe on the outside of the bucket so you can tell which way the holes are pointing. You want them to point down. Also, try reducing the flow rate by closing off the ball valve on the lid a bit. some people have wrapped the discharge pipe with a stocking.
@@MustangResto Thanks for the reply. I did exactly that and it works like a charm now. Funny though, my wife suggested that when I was building it and I didn't do it. Should've listened!
Great idea ,I built pools for years ,and your filter is very cool
Thanks, it works great and is cheap to build.
johnnie cameron , He's The Man
Why does the sand not go through with the water ??
There could be several reasons: are you using pool filter sand? Are the holes in the discharge pipe facing the bottom of the bucket? It's easy for the pipe to rotate and if the holes are pointing up, then the sand can come out. Try lowering the pressure of the water coming through the bucket by closing the valve on the lid.
youll need a filter 10x the size dude
Nope, this works just fine for what I do with it.
Thank you sir. Very good instructional.
Much appreciated!
>>>-Wulfy-->
I had the idea of a small sand filter for my kids pool and run across your video. I followed along closely with few changes and I can't keep the sand in the bucket. It just comes right out. I used pool filter sand so I'm not entirely sure what the deal is. I would appreciate your help. Thanks
Not sure what changes you made. Make sure that the pipe in the bucket has the holes only on the bottom. The water won't lift the sand into the pipe. Also make sure that when you screw on the exterior barbed fitting, the pipe doesn't spin inside the bucket. I didn't show it that way in the video, i put the sand in before i put on the barbed fitting. Put the barbed fitting on first, before you put the sand in, and make sure when you are done that the holes are on the bottom of the pipe. If the holes are facing up, sand will enter the pipe. Make sure the pipe has an end cap.
You could get some weed block fabric, or a stocking, and wrap the pipe inside the bucket with the fabric. It lets the water through but not sand. I've been using this filter design with nothing on the outlet pipe for 7 or 8 years, and it works fine. There will be a small amount of sand that comes out the first time you use it for the first minute, but after that, nothing.
You can buy pool filter sand at a pool supply store, don't use play sand.
I really didn't make any changes other then using some different fittings. Couldn't find the exact ones you used but all in all the same. The holes are on the bottom at a slight angle just as yours were from what I could tell. I tightened everything up and added the sand then poured some water in to see if it would work and sand came pouring out and wouldn't stop. I tried using a thin sock to stop the sand and that helped but it really seemed like a restriction. I made sure to use to use the right sand I double checked that. I keep messing with it to see if I can get it straight thanks for your quick response.
Try reversing the suction / discharge lines... if that doesn't work, use a (dust mask) filter over the discharge line...
there is no screen covering the pipe holes.so there is nothing stopping the sand from leaving it. that's what a lateral in a sand-filter is used for.
This also woks great with some charcoal on top of the sand and use it for drinking water filters I use 2 of them off grid the water stays perfect in my 300 gal storage tank
Good to know. Thanks for watching.
Just regular BBQ charcoal?
Charcoal is great at removal of off tastes, colours and odours by adsorption / oxidation of Natural Organise Matter. And yes if you don't want to invest in Activated Charcoal made with real coconut husk, then use BBQ charcoal, though I am not sure if BBQ briquettes sold in USA would work. In my neck of the woods, we use REAL charcoal chunks for BBQ
Did you see the alligator at the end o
whats the last things that u added,it might looks like a white bar.w
hat it was?
There is a piece of PVC pipe at the bottom of the bucket with holes drilled in the bottom. This is how the water gets out of the filter. Go back and watch the video.
Very clever. We need more creative people like you in this world
Thank you for watching and commenting. I try to have fun doing these things.
MustangResto , Once again can I use this beautiful sand filter, too keep my swimming pool clean and save money on pool supply
sand is going to get into pool. there needs to be a screen in the sorta laterall he made.
I agree 100%, Redzt
Does the sand in a sand filter ever need changing u Der normal working conditions?
I suggest you change it every 3 or 4 years. What you will find is that the bucket will wear out over time and that is a good time to replace the sand also.
@@MustangResto You can continue using it even longer, if you boil it every couple of years and remove the fines. With use, the size of the sand grains becomes smaller due to rubbing with each other and the fines must be removed, else they might clog the system
You made a nice video :-)
Hopefully, you got all your Pool Sand filtered correctly.
Works great.
Awesome. (:
What pump do you use?
i have a 1/3rd horsepower submersible Rigid pump from Home Depot.
Have you ever heard of a Hole saw ?
Who doesn't like melting things?
I guess he never heard of a hole saw
i will put up the holes my method makes in plastic buckets and lids against any hole saw cut holes any day. Mine are superior.
do it filter 430 gallon water
yes, i probably filter 5000 to 7000 gallons with this setup over 6 or 7 days.
I am blow away by the simplicity of design and build of this system. Bravo. It’s definitely a good way to re-use the water accumulated on top of the cover. Just ignore all the ppl who “know” how to keep water off the cover or advocate throwing that water away. You have, indeed, done a great job and should get credit for the idea and the execution. Not to take away anything from your excellent idea, may I put some pointers for improvement in future execution:
1/ While your system is relatively low flow / low pressure, and you did not seem to have any issues with suspended sand / debris flowing out of the discharge, it would be good to have around 25%-30% free head space on top of the sand bed. That would allow the bed to fluidize safely, without anything, but water, coming out of the discharge
2/ It might be a good idea to put a few bricks on the lid of filter bucket, to keep it closed under pressure.
3/ I would put a mesh screen under the discharge outlet to entrap any sand / debris particles trying to escape
4/ A mesh sleeve around the perforated pipe spreader would do the same during the back wash cycle
You are correct about the free head space. I now probably have about 20% free space and we only get water out of the discharge. I made a clamp system using some wood boards and threaded rods to keep the lid on. I don't get sand out of the discharge, so the mesh screen isn't necessary, but would work. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Hello Dave, great video! I followed your instructions and ran into a few snags that I hope you can help with. Do you run your pump at full power? I see that you installed a valve at the top of the bucket, but you left it wide open. I have a different pump than yours, but also 1/4hp and I don't think there's a way to reduce power at the pump. My bucket is not holding pressure at all when the valve is wide open, leaks galore and lid pops off. Is it just a matter of getting a different bucket with a tighter fitting lid? I'm a little hesitant to close the valve partially, won't that damage to the pump? Also, did you mix your pool sand with gravel or buy any sort of special course sand? I have zero experience with sand filters, so not sure if this is a stupid question, but the pool sand I got from the pool store is much finer than what you used, no little rocks in it at all, and the sand just comes right out with the water. I had trouble hearing you in that part of the video, I think you may have me mentioned adding gravel/rocks but also said that wasn't necessary? Maybe I misunderstood which part is unnecessary, adding the rocks or placing them under the pipe first. I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!
No, you can't run the pump at full flow, the bucket cannot withstand the pressure. You can try and add some boards on top of the lid and under the bottom connected by long threaded rods to increase the pressure. if the sand comes out, reduce the pressure and make sure the holes in the return pipe are pointing down. You can add a layer of small crushed stones around the pipe to about an inch above the top of the pipe. Other people wrap theirs with a mesh fabric.
I wish the US would go metric , I think you are the only country left using imperial .
Hisssssss metric
If you would chlorine shock the damn thing before you cover it for the winter, you wouldn't have all that green crap to clean up every spring!
The water is on top of the cover, not under it. There is nothing to shock when we cover the pool. Of course the water in the pool under the cover is in great condition.
Green, nasty water is in great condition?
You could add a layer (or another bucket) of charcoal and use it as a potable water filter...
Even better with diatoms....
What college did you go to because I definitely dont want to go there. That's not a pool that's a pond. Ahahaha!!!
It is a crystal clear pool that I enjoy every day.