Complete Backwash and Rinse Tutorial for Intex Sand Filter

Short video running through the backwash and rinse cycle on the Intex Sand Filter. Don't be afraid to ask questions, or leave comments. I'm usually pretty quick about responding to my awesome viewers! Cowabunga dudes and dudettes!
Amazon Affiliate Links for the Filter/Sand/Misc Parts I used with my pool setup:
Intex Sand Filter Pump - amzn.to/2xoaWlE​
3/4" - 1-3/4" Hose Clamp - amzn.to/3b8KPOl​
1-1/2" Insert Male Adapter - amzn.to/3bapEvw​
2x1-1/2 Reducing Bushing - amzn.to/34xm5Ng​
1-1/2"ID x2' Vinyl Tubing - amzn.to/3b7p81d​
AquaQuartz-50 Pool Filter 20-Grade Silica Sand - amzn.to/2UYP2ym​
Plumbers Tape - amzn.to/2Ynv0zX​
Intex Gasket Kit (if you don't want to make your own, the ones you care about are the 2 1/4 O.D.) - amzn.to/2SvgrXg

[@kevinbreese5739]

GREAT tutorial! Well spoken, and perfect pace with accurate info and no fluff.

[@dharter6054]

I know your video is 3 years old but it was a ray of sunshine when I found it. I spent too much time watching videos claiming to show you how the pump works but never do so thank you sir.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

I'm glad it still holds up, and was helpful! :)

[@demetriuscbuzzbean3428]

I just bought a intex, I was a little intimidad by all these settings. Man! you made this look so easy! Thanks bro!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad I could help!

[@jayne59brohammer]

Very nice tutorial! Precise, simple directions. Just what I was looking for, thank you so much! It seemed overwhelming to me until I watched your video!

[@darrencarpenter9668]

So many of these tutorials on KZbin don't work, however this is definitely not one of them!! I had instant success, pool pump is working brilliantly. Can't thank you enough. 👍

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad I could help!

[@jayblack7495]

I literally made it through last summer using only the Filter, Backwash, and Waste functions. The pool was flawless all season. This spring, the large tree hanging over the pool dumped about 4-billion seeds during the heavy pollen weeks (something that didn't occur last year due to the hot, early onset of spring.) It took a lot of straining and skimming both the surface and the bottom in an effort to collect this virtual Mardi-Gras of seeds in order to vacuum safely and efficiently. I've been struggling to get my cloudy water to clear up this year, never once realizing how important the Rinse function would be. All that sediment and collected debris had been hampering the sand inside the filter itself. The moment you activated the Rinse function, the (previously ignored) lightbulb went off and I realized that I had been neglecting a very crucial step. If failure is the key to wisdom, I'll be a virtual road-scholar in no time. 🤷 Thanks for the video... It's a great help!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're welcome and glad it was helpful! Enjoy the swimming season!

[@StephenOwen]

This whole comment had my chuckling, lol

[@user-en9ne6ln5x]

It's actually Rhodes Scholar.

[@jayblack7495]

@@user-en9ne6ln5x Yes it is... And clearly I am still a fair distance from it... 😉

[@harrismd8005]

Thank you for this easy instruction video, I have been trying to get my pool cleared up all week! Hopefully this was the answer to help the problem! Ugh my next idea was empty it and be done! I think I got in it once all year to enjoy it not just clean it!!! Thanks again, it's much easier then the instructions made it sound! Thank God for people like you that ' show me how it confuse and scare me from doing it!!!

[@neogenmatrix6162]

Shock the shit out of the pool and make sure you also have chlorine tabs too.

[@jayne59brohammer]

This tutorial made much more sense than the introduction book! I was ready to take the pool down and sell everything....lol

[@saysay143]

Wow! Great video, my pool was so green from pollen the filter stoped working good. I watched this quick easy walk thru and my intex sand filter works perfect again and my pool is beautiful again. Thank you.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Great to hear! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Enjoy the summer months!

[@stanleyblazeraznik6047]

Beautiful video. Faith in humanity temporarily restored.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment!

[@jasonhale4639]

my intex pump started having high pressure on backwash and I figured out that the sand screen on the bottom of the valve assembly was clogged with dogwood. I had to take the valve assembly off and remove this screen that is held on with two screws and clean it. I actually have tried this summer running it with the screen removed and we will see how much sand I lose but that dogwood was all in the sand and I had to backwash without the screen to get rid of the dogwood pollen. The screen is thier I beleive to catch the sand and keep it from leaving the tank durring backwash so I might be losing sand over time but at least I don't have to constantly take the thing apart to clean all that nasty cotton like stuff out of thier and pool sand is fairly cheap still.

[@paradox818]

Easy sub homie, my filter wasn't pushing much water out, did what you showed from this video and now it's back to when like we first assembled, thank you.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thanks for the sub and you're welcome!

[@pkovalenko2011]

Thanks a lot, I didn't know about the rinse after backwash and always ended up with fog coming out at first! ! 🎉

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad I could help!

[@ghazanfarhaider9764]

To the point and well explained!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thanks!

[@joleneweaver7578]

Why dont you put a backwash hose on yours

[@tazza912]

Thank you so much for your video, clear instructions and tips. This actually saved me because my Intex Auto pool cleaner had stopped moving (common issue) and it turns out I needed to do a backwash and rinse of the sand filter. After I did that, the vacuum is shooting around the pool and cleaning up as it did brand new! Thanks again!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thanks Tyron, this is good info so I'm glad you posted it. I haven't used the auto pool cleaner, so hopefully if others have this issue they'll see this comment and now I'll know what to suggest as well!

[@ivorygilyard2243]

Thank you so much for making and sharing this video. It was very helpful and useful. Our family was able to use this information to open our Intex above ground pool.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Awesome! I'm glad it was helpful, thanks for watching and dropping a line! Enjoy the swimming season!

[@philipnolan4340]

Thank you so much. Great video! Straight to the point. So helpful

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thanks, Philip!

[@amyk3959]

Thank you so much for this great video! The instructions that came with my Intex filter were useless.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad it helped!

[@JesseKlaus]

I would urge people to take note of where their pressure gauge steadies out at after a few minutes of initial use. I'm sure there's quite a bit of variance in terms of the accuracy of the pressure gauges, but the delta is all you really need to pay attention to.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Totally agreed.

[@Deriggs007]

Thanks for this. I just bought a home that had a coleman above ground pool and this intext sand filter. Didn't know how to use any of this, but you've helped tremendously. The pool got all green and nasty when the owners left and had power turned off. Also a few leaks in the hoses for some reason and now it's filtering. Not sure how long this should take though lol

[@chanteemartina4456]

Okay t nvm

[@luegogold2841]

Amazing video! New pool owner and its all rocket science to me lol.. Ive been dreading learning about this pump, your video made it much easier! Thank you!!!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad I could help!

[@catherinebazuin5782]

Such a clear explanation of all my questions. Thanks!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're very welcome!

[@jjsquirdlesupastar3875]

Thank you for posting this excellent video

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Our pleasure!

[@jwrangler12]

I watched both your videos and thank you very much. Well done and great info

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad you like them!

[@gustavofajardo8162]

Thank you for this video hi from San Francisco California

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thanks for watching!

[@ramlover649]

Thanks a lot the video helped me out a lot.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're welcome!

[@imdito99]

Thank you for not giving me a 20min you covered everything in 5min

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by the channel!

[@mariedevantier7637]

My filter doesn't seem to have very high pressure after backwash. It barely registers on the 'green'. Maybe a one or two. What should I do?

[@nicholesalizzoni4711]

Did you figure the reasoning? Mine is doing the same🤔

[@veraturner]

Thank you for such a great video. Very clear instructions that even I can understand.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

[@michaelmcelwain2053]

Thank you , very well done

[@MsFrostyGhost]

Nice video, I just bought an above ground pool, and I’m doing a little research before hand.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

They're a blast for the kiddos. There are multiple pool videos on the channel and feel free to ask any questions.

[@MsFrostyGhost]

@@GuidingBoltGaming thanks, I might have to take you up on that, lol. I had one about 10 years ago, been looking for another one but the price increase was outrageous. The same pool I bought back then for 299.00 is now 1000.00 I finally found one for 700.00 a foot bigger then my previous. I loved it, but I did have a slight problem with it going cloudy in the first week. I got it cleared up and was great from then on. But if something happens and I can’t figure it out, I’ll come ask.

[@denniswiese9396]

Excellent instructions and visual. Thank you and well done!! Semper Fi.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Much appreciated!

[@mrvictor0410]

Well explained and short. Nice

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thank you 🙂

[@AndrewGalucki]

So helpful thank you!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're so welcome!

[@preonmodel9906]

Thank you the instructions don’t really tell you how long each process take’s… 👍

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

No problem, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

[@susanbrown4706]

So clear now. Thank you.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You’re welcome 😊

[@jewelswinfield]

Thanks for posting. Very helpful.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're welcome!

[@drn1smo]

Perfect thanks

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're welcome!

[@SearchTheScripturesDaily777]

Thanks! Great tutorial.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaeltechreviews5390]

Thanks for the tips!!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You bet!

[@cathysmart6354]

can I see what your collection bucket looks like when you are running you pump? Should there be bubbles or should the water be still with no circulation in the bucket?

[@juggernaut007ful]

Great vid, very helpful!

[@victorespinoza2566]

Nice video . I do have a question my pool filter seems to lose pressure so we have to backwash it every two to 3 days . Do you have any advice. On what to do.

[@DK_Kill]

I having the same issue. I changed the sand and clean everything extra good. I also did the backwash and raise before I ran it filter. I still having the same issue.

[@Myownshock]

Try redoing your income with PVC

[@CoachKarin]

If you have old sand change it and/or make sure you aren’t above the sand level to allow movement in the filter.

[@Gnomehome14]

Best informational video

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad you think so!

[@Marie-kj3xf]

Great tutorial! Thanks

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're welcome!

[@mrrodriguez4006]

Excellent video

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thank you very much!

[@ramanidpr40]

well explained , thank you so much

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You are welcome!

[@cindywest4187]

Good tutorial.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ClevelandRips]

Great instructions! Thanks for the vid. New SUBSCRIBER here.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thanks for the sub!

[@luispena86]

Thanks great video help me a lot

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad it helped

[@JOSERAMIREZ-og1jt]

Very helpful. Thanks Bro.

[@ralucagiuliamarincas6077]

Great video, but can you tell me how much i need to keep the pump running on filter mode? Thank you!

[@JasonHeriford]

Super helpful. Thank you.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rebeccaallen8831]

Thank you for the tutorial as it’s our 1st summer with the INTEX 3000 GPH Krystal Clear Sand Filter & Pump. Right out of the box, ours was actually below the green- and after doing a back wash/ rinse cycle last night, it’s in the high part of the green…? Do you need to bleed all of the sediment valves after finishing the backwash/ rinse cycle prior to putting the pump on to filter? Also, where did you purchase your skimmer? Is that after market I’m presuming? We thought the pool would pump better with the 1 1/2 (vs. the 1.25”) inch fittings which we changed to this year, but are still really not getting that much suction. Trying to figure out what I’m doing wrong. Thanks Again 😊

[@workaholicjay]

Thank You

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're welcome

[@irisfeliciano1375]

Why wouldn't you place a hose and aim it towards the back of the yard?

[@nicholasakmon7750]

This video is BOSS!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Lol, thanks much! Appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment! :)

[@nicholasakmon7750]

I watched it last year and had to revisit it because I forgot. 👍

[@victoriabrott8219]

We have 3 they are great (and nice guy too). Always buy local.

[@laraibrizz7118]

All setting is perfect, bit why my filter just dont start? Where im wrong? I have sent back one filter as i thought its not working, but havng same problem with the sec one too. Plz guide.. it just doesn't strt working.. light is there, power is on, i can select hours but it just doesn't strt working

[@joeyadriano6061]

nicely done! I'll let you know if this fixes my higher pressure right now

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thanks, and good luck!

[@jopalo31675]

Great job

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Thanks!

[@edgarvasquez3505]

Excellent

[@jokkez1513]

Thank you 🙂

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You’re welcome 😊

[@ThisMyHeartWork]

Thank you!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You bet!

[@asianassassin5082]

Thank you

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're welcome

[@suriagonzalez2111]

Excellent explanation. Can you please help? I have my valve stuck after a backwash, cannot move into any setting. Any suggestions?

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Hey Suria - You may need to open up the tank and inspect under the spider gasket for any binding/breaks. I've had other viewers comment with similar issues and some of them just sprayed a little WD40 on it to get it moving again. Good luck!

[@mfreijser]

If sand gets in/under the handle/lever, it can be a pain in the ass to get it to move again. I also used WD-40 to get it to move, apparently the sand underneath needs a bit of 'lubricarion' to move out of the way. Washed it really good afterwards and now it's at least functional (but not as easy to move as brand new).

[@jeseniaburgos9500]

This video is very helpful since this is the first time I have a pool. But im having an issue, I have the setting on filter but no water is coming out, but if I put it on the N water comes out. What can I do??

[@basiaboyz7257]

I just bought a pre owned pump. I'm so frustrated because it's not pumping like I imagined it would . I had a cartridge pump that kept breaking so I wanted to try this one. Same issues 😢 don't know what I'm doing wrong. How's your pump doing now?

[@jillydewdrop]

😊thank you xx

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You’re welcome 😊

[@andygore1028]

Thank you!!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You're welcome!

[@jordan07garcia11]

Ok so I have a question when you fill it up and take it out the box and get it started and put the sand I see people put water in the tank too or do you just put the sand ?

[@maysantana7073]

I added water to the tank with the sand so I am not sure if I did it correctly.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

I've done it both ways. If you don't put water in it right away it's going to flow through the pool system into the tank anyways if tank is in filter position.

[@zoomzilla67]

When I first installed my sand filter I missed the step in the manual to backwash and rinse first. Of course all the dust particles shot into my pool. Hopefully it clears up soon

[@hsbuhzggzhd]

Vacuum it out. I did the same thing. I was

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Bingo! ;)

[@zoomzilla67]

@@hsbuhzggzhd I got it out with the vacuum

[@justingiersch7632]

Worked Wonders!

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Lol, thanks? ;P

[@t4rmafia892]

When I turn the pump on when on backwash, the entire unit moves… all videos I see show no movement. What could be wrong with mine?

[@mbb8001]

My backwash doesn’t pour out like that… it’s very low .. can u tell me why or what I need to do?

[@Z.w992]

So when do you use the recirculate and the waste settings?

[@williampedraza8993]

Hey hi video is awesome but my question is that my intex 3000 wros and all but it's making a louder noise more than usual when running not sure what ti do about it its annoying

[@anthonyc9207]

My krystal clear sand filter is a little different the manual does not recommend to turn the filter on during backwash and rinse should the filter be on as you instructed in the video the intex Costner service is horrible...thanks

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Hey Anthony - I've haven't reviewed the instruction manual for the Krystal Clear, but that's the process on the Intex side. If you don't turn the filter on I would assume water is just going to dribble out, the filter being on is what's forcing the water through the sand to clear it out during backwash.

[@anthonyc9207]

@@GuidingBoltGaming thanks for the info...

[@brandon_04sandoval14]

My inlet jet is having bubbles come out with the water. The water level is fine. I just installed the pump since I just got the pool. And I also just put chemicals in the pool a few hours ago. What do you think is causing the bubbles to come out of my inlet jet ?

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Has to be air coming in somewhere in the plumbing. I would check o-rings, gaskets, hoses, connections, etc. Make sure everything is tight, nothing is missing. When you say inlet jet, I'm guessing you actually mean the water return? If that's the case check to see if your collection basket has air in it, if so bleed it out and see if it gets air again. If it does it probably means a leak on the suction side. If you see no air in the collection basket after bleeding but are still getting bubbles then you'll want to check the discharge side components.

[@meganfrancis5991]

Hello, I have a sand pump but the writing on the top showing backwash, filter etc has worn off. How do I know which is which?

[@user-en9ne6ln5x]

Followed your video to the letter but when I move the handle back to filter and turn the pump on, the pressure immediately drops to Zero and then the needle bounces between zero and the bottom of the green zone. Any ides what would cause this? It did it once before and then just suddenly started working again.

[@jessiccathurman5916]

Our little bubble won't become clear? Are we doing something wrong?

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

When you say it won't come clear, do you mean it has sand/debris in it, or is it just discolored? It should clear of sand when you're running the rinse cycle. If it's just discolored switch the pump to closed or filter. With the pump off you should be able to remove the sight glass and clean it out.

[@myrajuju02]

Omg! First tell us why do we need to backwash? How often do we need to backwash? what is the point of the backwash does that substitute use of a filter in a normal non-sand filter like can we get some information about actually why we’re doing this?

[@victorbeauchamp4168]

Thank you 🙏 How often do you back wash?

[@midbladeGoA]

I have a intex sand filter and when I use the backwash it does not spit the water out at a high speed when I turn Motor on? I feel like it's not back washing properly.

[@Blissful_Bash]

So we are just starting our pool back up, it’s pretty dirty, do I shock it first and filter it then backwash it after and rinse it then put back onto filtration? Or do I backwash it and rinse before shocking it and filtering it?

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

I would treat/filter it first. The backwash/rinse is for cleaning out the tank of debris.

[@eddieflores7064]

How do you have the skimmer outlet hooked to the pump. What's that part with the 2 metal clamps

[@alexanderwatson4961]

Need this answered too

[@PepuDrummer527]

Why do I have to backwash my filter about every 3 days? Will the type of sand affect that? I bought the Pool Filter Sand thet they sell in Lowes as no one else have anything these days.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Something going on there, you shouldn't have to do it that frequently. Check out this video to see if it sheds any light. Filter sand does come in different grades, so you'll want to verify you're getting the correct sand. The hardware store I went to sold sand that was smaller than what my tank recommended so I was getting sand pumped back into my pool. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2PHXoCbeLqpaq8

[@d3adshot886]

Great Video Thank you Help me out...

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Glad it helped

[@cjg9440]

We have similar sand filter from intex. Mine doesn’t flow like that strong when I switch to backwash or rinse mode.

[@MimiCat1616]

Great video, but I can't get the drain cover off. Any suggestions?

[@debilaurance2595]

Good evening , I did all you said still no water flow to .

[@mikeycota5231]

After my backwash, the 6 way valve is extremely tight. I cant turn to rinse. Did I do something wrong along the way?

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Did you switch it off while you were changing settings? If not it's possible something may have been damaged. Otherwise, it should rotate in either direction. I had someone a couple weeks back with similar issue. They pulled the top off their tank, removed the screws holding the plastic guard (allowing access to the 6 way valve) and oiled it which got it rotating again. This should also allow you to see if there is anything stuck or possibly broken.

[@TwiStedTentom]

What if the sight glass never shows clear water? Keep backwashing until it does? My pool was recently very green and was just shocked so now it's cloudy blue.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Your sight glass is only going to be as clean as the water in your pool. If it's still green (and pool is cloudy blue) then you may need to just pull it off and wipe it out. If you change the valve setting back to filter you should be able to remove the sight glass w/o water flowing out of it.

[@TwiStedTentom]

@@GuidingBoltGaming Thanks, I'll give it a try. I added clarifier after it turned cloudy blue (about 20 hours after shocking it), and have just been running it on filter and adding clarifier every day. I backwashed, and then went straight to filter and it started jetting green water back into the pool! I researched it and realized it's probably because I didn't run the pump on Rinse after backwashing.

[@shiguadaable]

Hi can you explain why the pum trow sand to the pool please if you have any answers thank you

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

It's likely a broken lateral, or sand that is to small a grade for the pump.

[@shiguadaable]

Can you tell me which sand can I use please

[@user-eb3yl8mb2f]

Our sand filter, similar to yours, barely gets above 1-2 psi, we use pvc piping, any suggestions?

[@patriciamanley397]

Hi I tried to close the valve and clean out the collection basket. I can’t stop the water pumping so can’t put the gasket back on so it’s leaking. Can you help?

[@christinespellman8041]

I have that same problem. I've been putting my plugs in so the water doesn't come out into the filter.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

You should be blocking the main water entry where it flows into the collection basket to empty. If you've done that and you're getting water flowing out of the tank and into the collection basket you likely have to much water in your pool and it's covering the water return. The water pressure from the pool pushing back through the return will force water through the tank and out your collection basket (if you kept it on filter setting to clean basket). You could switch it to closed to prevent the back flow.

[@cindyperez3184]

How do I set this up on my pool? I have the exact same pool. I just don't know how to connect it to the skimmer

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

See if this is what you're looking for: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2SXpammYpeDpLs

[@laurencollier9317]

Ok I have been doing this and when I turn my pump back on I get sand in my pool could you help

[@jodikehle5013]

After doing all of the backwash I still have almost zero pressure on the guage but is running nice and strong is my guage bad?

[@brandon_04sandoval14]

So when you do these steps, does it waste a lot of water out of the pool? And if so, do I need to fill the pool up to the level where it is supose to be throughout the summer ?

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

It can depending on how long you run the backwash. If you keep it at the suggested level you won't have any issues going through the complete backwash/rinse cycle and still having plenty of water for the filter to function optimally.

[@sandraladen6042]

what is wrong with the filter if it only pumps water in the circulation postion.

[@GuidingBoltGaming]

Has it worked in the past, or was like that when you purchased it? If it used to work and now only recirculates I would guess you have a bad spider gasket, or the settings dial isn't actually changing the setting. You may need to remove the tank head and investigate.

[@sandraladen6042]

Thank you. @@GuidingBoltGaming