SWIMLINE HYDROTOOLS Complete Sand Filter System, 12" Tank - for Above-Ground Pools Up to 8,000 Gallons, Single Speed Pump, 0.3 THP, 1,980 GPH, 4-Way Multi-Port Valve, 42 lb Capacity

I can get a little winded in my reviews, but if you can bear with me, you might read a useful thing or two. To start with, I've been using this filter pump about 6 weeks. I'm using it on a 15'x42" above ground pool from the time both were removed from the box. Assembly was...mostly...straightforward. The instructions aren't exactly bad, but I really didn't find them sufficient for my own needs. I ended up going to YouTube and found a guy who walked through this exact same model's setup and I found that immensely more helpful. Most things needed are included in the boxes except a few tools and some o ring lubricant. Why wasn't a small bit of the lubricant included with everything else? You got me. But I did need to buy some and had read on Google that it's not a great idea to use alternatives (Vaseline or coconut oil or whatever else). The screws mounting the motor to the base were an unbelievable pain, but I ended up managing. Sand for this product is also not included, but it can be purchased from a pool supply, hardware store, or even here on Amazon (where I obtained mine). Adding the sand and getting the lid part of the unit nice and flush isn't quite the one and done process the instructions suggested. I got the tube nice and centered and still couldn't get the lid level after filling it with sand, thus requiring me to hand empty the entire thing and start over multiple times. I finally found that adding a bit of sand, trying the lid carefully, adding some more, trying again, etc was the only way I was finally able to have the lid sit flush at the right angle enough to get the ring clamped on. Another issue I ran into was that even though the pool hoses I had were the same size as the pump's, the pool hoses were a baby bit not as snug as the ones included with the pump. So no amount of tightening on the clamp rings stopped leaking and I had to stop, replace all the hoses, and reattach. I still have a tiny bit of dribble no matter what was done trying to fix it, but it's not enough to stress over with regular water loss. I do feel it's worth mentioning that I live in Texas and this unit is in non stop sun most every day. It's run like a champ anyway. The operation of the unit had seemed a little daunting, but as long as you remember to unplug everything before switching functions, it's super simple. I would suggest buying one of these on a damaged box type of deal if you're able. I was able to save a decent bit this way and everything I received was in brand new, not damaged condition when it got to me. As far as function, I can tell a night and day difference when I'm using the filter enough and when I'm not. I use no cover at all on my pool (including during Hurricane Beryl that I was in some of the worst wind of) and other than vacuuming the big stuff off the bottom every couple of days, the pump does all the rest. It's much stronger than the included pump that comes with the pool, and a lot less to worry about since it doesn't use those paper filters. (I used this type in the past and it's a lot more maintenance.) I think I've covered everything of note except to say that....Yes, I'm happy with this purchaseYes, I would purchase this product againYes, I absolutely would recommend this product

I'm on year 3 now and it's still going strong on this year's pool open. Throw that aquarium pump cartridge filter that came with the pool directly into the trash.A few tips to ensure success that I've learned over the past few years.1. Your outdoor plug should already be GFCI, make sure it works. If not, install/replace it.(I wouldn't want to depend on an inline GFCI I can't independently test, ya'll crazy depending on a test button).2. Use a timer. The 14in model pulls 400W, which translates to around 40-50$ a month in electricity (obviously, exact cost depending on your area) if you run all the time. As long as you are turning over the volume of the pool at least a couple times a day, 24/7 is overkill.3. Silicone grease. The instructions do mention this, but do not ignore them. You should really be plastering this on literally every single connection and extra on any rubber gasket or o-ring. Even the hose+barb connections from the pump to the filter valve can use a little. Overtightening fittings to try to fix leaks will just break the plastic threads and teflon tape won't make it watertight. The grease and only moderate tightness is what will make leaks stop. Also, if you don't grease the gasket on the clear strainer cap regularly, you'll also break the fins off when it gets stuck.4. Remember that living algae is super tiny and will not be filtered (and any filter that fine will clog up instantly). You fix your pool turning green by maintaining 10ppm chlorine (not just adding chlorine) for as many days as it takes until the water is clear.

The media could not be loaded. UPDATE 1: It's been about one whole hour of run time, and the pump housing is leaking. There are drips forming where two pieces of factory seamed plastic meet. Guess I have to get a replacement. What a waste of time.Update 2: the leak is even worse now. See video. A drip per second, even with the pump off. No word from the seller.ORIGINAL: I just finished the installation of this sand filter. I'm a pretty competent guy with plumbing and electrical (heck, I built a 16kw grid tie solar array from the ground up by myself over the course of a few weeks)....but this was a kinda poor install experience and had me just shaking my head at the dumb design decisions they made and their advertising.For starters, I ordered this because it was advertised and strongly hinted that it was plug and play compatible with Bestway pools. It's not. For that you need to buy extra parts, which I didn't know until AFTER I finished the install and came inside to write this review. So if you have a Bestway pool, go get the adapters you need. It would have made installation MUCH easier.Secondly, the threaded pipe adapters to which you add the included flexible tubing is not nearly long enough for the tubing supplied. The tubing has a raised ring/lip around the outside, which sits about 1/4" from the edge. Presumably this is to accept a rubber o-ring....but those aren't supplied. The adapter to which you affix this tube to is only about 3/4" long. Seems fine, but you can't use the hose clamps anywhere on top of that raised lip on the tube because it leaks, so your hose clamps are literally sitting partially over the tiny bit of adapter that remains and partially over empty parts of the piping. They're also a little too large, so you have to tighten them quite a bit to stop the leaks...It seems very flimsy, and took quite some time to get it to stop leaking. I would recommend carefully cutting off that raised lip so you can snug the tubing fully onto the adapters and affix the hose clamps properly.There are also not enough hose clamps provided...I needed to go find several more to attach everything.You need to wrap the threads with teflon tape at least 15-20 times before it'll make a good seal. The threads are just far too loose and wobbly. Also, they include large o-rings (which aren't mentioned anywhere in the instructions)...put these overtop of the male threads for the adapters and squish em down a bit when you thread them onto the filter.There is NO TIMER! There is no built in GFI protection! The barebones pump my pool came with had both of these features, plus a very long cord. This cord is pretty short, so you're going to need an additional cord, timer, and GFI protection. If you aren't concerned with keeping your old pool pump, you could get a female extension cord kit, cut the cord from the old pump and wire it up as an extension cord for this pump. That would give you the protection and length is should have included.Suction seems great, however, and is working quite well with the skimmer I installed. I expect this will be significantly better than the Bestway filtration system. However, in hindsight I would have searched around for a sand filter setup that was actually compatible with my Bestway pool instead of one that just pretends they are.