How Do I Use a Cartridge Filter Pump?
- May 21, 2024
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A full, comprehensive guide on how to set up, maintain and use a cartridge filter pump for your above ground pool.
Keeping your pool water sparkling clean is convenient and easy when you use a cartridge filter pump. The pump clears the water by circulating it out of the pool and through a filter cartridge to capture small particles of debris before flowing clean water back into the pool.
For the best results, make sure you set up the pump properly according to your manual and incorporate cleaning it into your pool maintenance routine. Follow these simple steps and enjoy clean, clear water all season long!
Filter Pump Setup
The first step is to choose the best location for the filter pump. It should be placed on flat ground where it can stand straight up and won’t be knocked over. If you don’t have a location like that next to your above ground pool, you will need to place the filter pump on a base made of either wood or concrete.
Now, you can begin setting up your filter pump by following these simple steps:
1. Take the filter pump and all the parts out of the box and review the manual to familiarize yourself with the product.
2. Place the filter cartridge into the filter pump.
3. Attach the hoses to the filter pump, then to the pool, matching the A and B ports on the filter pump to the A and B ports on the pool.
4. Remove the stoppers from the inside of the pool and replace them with the corresponding A & B drain strainers.
5. Secure each hose in place with the included clamps.
6. Unscrew the valve on the top of the pump to let the excess water out. Leave it open for about a minute until all water is purged from the pump, then tighten the valve back in place.
7. Plug in the pump, perform a GFCI test (see below) and power it on. Make sure the pool is filled with enough water to cover the inlet and outlet valves before running the filter pump!
Running a GFCI Test
Before plugging your pump in, make sure that the outlet you intend to use matches the voltage of your filter pump. Make sure your hands are completely dry, then follow these steps:
1. Plug in the pump and power it on.
2. Press the TEST button on the GFCI – the pump should turn itself off.
3. Press the RESET button on the GFCI – the pump should turn back on.
Run this test each time before you use the filter pump! If it isn’t operating as it should be, contact our Customer Support team.
Using the Pump Timer
Each Bestway cartridge filter pump is equipped with a timer that is both convenient and energy-efficient! It allows you to set a working time, and the pump will shut off when it’s done. No need to come back and turn it off, so it doesn’t waste any power!
To set up the pump timer, just push the Set Working Hours button to adjust to your desired run time. The 5 LED lights on the timer indicate how long the pump will run for. Each light represents two hours – so you can select the amount of time you would like the pump to run and then let it do its thing. After you set the timer, the pump will run for the indicated amount of time. Once the time is up, it will turn off (and the lights on the timer will too). Then, it will start itself automatically for the same amount of time every 24 hours!
If the power goes out or the pump gets unplugged, the timer will reset to its 10-hour default, so be sure to check it if that happens.
Filter Pump & Cartridge Maintenance
To make sure your pump is performing as it should be, your filter cartridge should be cleaned or replaced every two weeks. Follow these simple steps to take care of your cartridge:
1. With dry hands, unplug the filter pump.
2. Loosen the clamps on the hoses attached to the pool valves and replace the strainers with the water stoppers.
3. Unscrew the top of the filter pump and remove the cartridge. Depending on the state of cleanliness, thoroughly rinse it with a garden hose or replace it with a new cartridge. Once the cartridge is back in the pump, screw the top back on.
4. Put the hoses back into place and replace the water stoppers with the pool strainers (making sure the inlet/outlet strainers are correctly placed), then tighten the clamps.
5. Unscrew the valve on the top of the pump to let the excess water out. Leave it open for about a minute until all water is purged from the pump, then tighten the valve back in place.
6. Plug the pump back in, perform the GFCI test (refer back to the steps listed above) and start it back up.
Now that you know the ins and outs of your cartridge filter pump, you can enjoy clean and clear water all season long! Be sure to round out your pool care routine with proper chemical maintenance and deep cleans with a vacuum, skimmer or brush.