How To Clean Your Pool Filters | Pool Cartridge Filters & Basic Pool Maintenance

Step-By-Step Video showing you how to clean your pool cartridge filters yourself and most importantly save you some money. I take you along with me as I take apart the filter housing, clean it all out, reassemble and start it back up. This video covers the steps I took to clean my pool cartridge filters and get the system back to running.
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DISCLAIMER
Make sure you always refer back to the owners manual of whichever brand/device you are working on. If you have any questions you should always call a licensed technician.
Always shut off the power before you begin work.
First Step is to open the Manual Air Relief Valve and Stand clear of the filter and wait until all pressure is relieved and the pressure gauge reads zero before the next step. The next step should be to open the waste drain plug on the bottom of the filter and allow all water to drain from the bottom of the filter tank. After all the water has drained, then loosen the clamps barrel nut. Missing these critical steps before you remove the clamp assembly can result in personal injury or death.
After cleaning the cartridges and reassembling the filter, make sure you open the manual air relief valve before turning the pump on. This his will prevent a dangerous buildup of compressed air and it will cause a violent separation of the filter lid, which can cause damage to the filter, property damage, personal injury, or death.
The system is not working properly if the pressure gauge shows pressure before water outflow, a solid stream of water does not appear within 30 seconds, or if water leaks from the two halves of the filter. If any of these conditions exist, shut off the pump IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT ATTEMPT to tighten the clamping assembly to stop the leak. Always, turn off the power, open the manual air relief valve to relieve all of the pressure, stand clear of the filter and wait until all pressure is relieved and the pressure gauge reads zero before properly tightening the clamping assembly.
Proper steps are outlined in the Installation & User’s Guide of your manufactures hand book and on the filter itself how to safely expel any compressed air in the filter and disassemble and reassemble the filter.
Please ALWAYS refer back to your Owners Manual.
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[@robf327]

1st time pool owner - Thank You I followed your instructions and Finished the Job 72 years old

[@FortKnoxCo]

Nice! That’s awesome! So happy I could be of help.

[@villadenarre8]

You've reconfirmed I've been doing it correctly all these years! I also found that using a rubber mallet and tapping around the clamp ring helps to seat and tighten the clamp while you're wrenching it tight.

[@FortKnoxCo]

That’s a really good idea. I’ve seen a lot of people have trouble with getting that ring clamp back on and tightening correctly. It’s frustrating when you think you have it down tight and there’s a little drip coming out somewhere. Gotta take it all apart and reseat everything.

[@Hauler24]

Man, this is a life saver. Thank you for making this!! Had a pool guy come and his son would come and clean, but my pool was getting worse. Started the first process of chlorinating and getting the algae out of the pool which I have now I want to check my filters to make sure the first company we had actually did a check. Thanks for this and I'll definitely be doing filter cleaning next.

[@FortKnoxCo]

You’re very welcome. You can definitely some some money doing it yourself. I’ve heard some horror stories about pool companies saying they will clean your filters and charge a pretty penny but you come to find out they do a minimal half ass job of it and your pool starts to have problems. It’s nice being able to do it yourself.

[@chrisUSA]

This pool equipment looks exactly like mine and it's set up in the same way. So this is a really helpful video.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you I appreciate it. Most brands are set up in a very similar way and have the same steps usually. Just turn the power off, and relieve the pressure safely and everything else is a breeze

[@marcsongaudin8429]

Thank you for your help. I just bought a house with a pool and your video is exactly like my system.

[@FortKnoxCo]

That’s awesome. I’m happy that I could be of help. Once you learn how to clean and maintain your own system you will definitely save yourself a lot of money.

[@dani2229]

SUPER SUPER SUPER helpful. this was the first video that mentioned air in the pipes after a filter change and how it's important to use your hose to fill them up a bit before turning on the pump. THANK YOU for your work!!

[@FortKnoxCo]

I appreciate that. Another thing to look at would be closing the valves before and after your unit. You could essentially isolate your unit and when you open it up you won’t be letting all or at least as much air into your entire system. I’m going to try it next time and film it for another “how too” video with some tips n tricks

[@krishiqua]

You just saved me about $300 bucks, brother. Thank you!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Nice!! You’re very welcome!

[@jsmith3031]

I always fill the tank with water before putting the top back on. It helps to prime the pump faster.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Very good idea!

[@reiversRus]

This video just saved me $380 - thank you!!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Exactly why I made it! Thats awesome it helped you. 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@praveenchaddha]

This is one of the best videos I have come across. Thanks!!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Wow I really appreciate that ! Thank you!

[@twiggfoo3901]

You're awesome! Thank you! My filters were filthy! Can you make a video of how to backwash the filter? Please! Thank you!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you!! I should be doing another cleaning video since I need to clean my filters again lol. with a few tips and tricks to help people. I’ll try to throw in the backwashing too !!

[@BigSwo2909]

Just bought a house that has a pool.. this was so helpful. Couldn’t go to my friends because none have pools and all have nicknamed me 1st world like 1st world problems… bunch of idiots. Anyways this was awesome and want to say thank you so very much.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Nice!. Thats awesome. I like hearing that this video helped. I figured ppl out there would be having some of the same question I did when I first started doing the pool maintenance myself. Glad you found it helpful 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@BigSwo2909]

@@FortKnoxCo if I drain it first is that ok? I might do that next time.

[@FortKnoxCo]

@@BigSwo2909 yeah you can drain first or whatever works for you. Just among sure the power is off and the pressure is released. Thats the main safety concerns.

[@terrenceconnor4196]

Thanks so much - your video on how to clean my pool filters was so helpful. I had never done it & literally followed your step by step instructions & had no problems at all. Really appreciate it & have never felt this butch in my life. 2 👍🏼👍🏼 thumbs up so very helpful.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Haha! Nice!! So happy I could be of help! Glad you got it done and probably saved yourself some money in the process. Plus now you’re a little more familiar with your system. Could come in handy if you ever need to fix something on it.

[@kayatrix]

Wow!! I didn't realize how easy this was! Thank you soooo much! We could do this ourselves!

[@FortKnoxCo]

You 100% can do it yourself. Save that money !

[@robertbarta4912]

Buy an Aqua Comb pool filter cleaner tool for the end of your hose, it really cleans well in the filter folds To help prime, fill your filter canister and pre-filter with water before you put on the lids.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Nice! Thank you for the information

[@user-ze8ij7qw3q]

Boy you are such an expert and I can tell because you have all that equipment out in the open and against that wall!!! Though we're out here rambling filming videos!! Ha!!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you. I appreciate that. It’s pretty common out here in the west coast to have the equipment out, we don’t get much freezing weather out here and unless you specifically request the pool companies to put it in a specific location , they will usually put it right up against the house or closest around the corner. Sometimes we can build a small wall and separated out and off to the distance, but that would take planning with the pool company. we have it on the north side of the house which gets zero sun all year. So the equipment where it’s at now doesn’t really get much exposure and like I said we don’t get the freezing weather. It is nice when you can have it tucked away to avoid any noise or damage to the equipment.

[@MickVegas]

Best video for this on KZbin - thank you! (Exactly 1 hour later including clean-up, I'm done!)

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you! I really appreciate that

[@seankirkus7669]

Huge help! Thanks bro! Got my pool all taken care of!!!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Nice!! I know the feeling. Im about to clean mine Again right before the weather heats up here.

[@johnparsons7296]

great video! my filter is a bit older, but all of the same steps applied. thanks for the clear and concise explanation. unfortunately, my filter has an odd "grooved" cap at the bottom that is impossible to unscrew, so i had to scoop out the water and debris and then towel out the rest. what a pain in the ***!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Oh man that’s unfortunate. At least you got it done. Saved yourself some money in the process for sure

[@mm-hq5xi]

THanks for the step by step. Turn up your volume!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you

[@mrplaymakertv3398]

Wow! Ur the man. Your instructions are as simple as pie. My daughter-in-law paid a lot last year. Also, was paying pool weekly cleaning. Bull crap... Well he. Was being a pool guy. Great Vedo....

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you. I really appreciate it. Thats my goal, to make videos with information I feel I would have liked to have had.

[@kirkburgess1839]

Super helpful. Coming to the end of my first season with a Cartridge Filter. We were built in the spring have been running since of June. Previously had a sand filter and constantly had to backwash. This was a great first summer!. Great video!.

[@FortKnoxCo]

That’s awesome! Happy could be of help

[@gyehud]

Easier than sand filter or harder to maintain/clean?

[@dannydeem9091]

Thank you for this video now I can clean my swimming pool filters.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Your welcome! Happy to be of help

[@saraw112]

Very helpful!!! I’ve been so nervous about letting the air out!! This helps! I’m going to try to do it myself. 😊❤

[@FortKnoxCo]

You got this!

[@earnestwest9424]

This video just saved me a ton of cash, thanks a lot bro

[@FortKnoxCo]

That’s great to hear! Your very welcome 🤙🏼

[@kuyayan]

We gained confidence to do it ourselves thanks to you! Thank you v v much!!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Amazing. That’s great to hear. Happy I could be of help

[@patrickmurphy5107]

My bro I really, really appreciate this video! When you kept saying it’s nothing to be afraid of, I felt you were talking about me! Lol I’m giving it a shot tomorrow!🤞🏾

[@FortKnoxCo]

Heck yeah man. Save yourself some money and do it yourself. And you’ll be more familiar with your system afterwards too. So you can have an idea of what to fix or something if anything ever need attention. Just make sure your power to the unit is off, release that pressure and you’re good. Take it apart and put it together in the same order. Easy as that.

[@drumdover]

Thank you! Easy directions to follow and got mine all cleaned successfully. You rock!

[@FortKnoxCo]

That’s awesome to hear! Thank you!

[@azcojpg]

Good tips, I use a shop vac to suck out the crud out of the housing versus pulling the plastic nut so I don't get that stuff littering my pool equipment area.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you. Yes, that’s a good idea. Also to be able to use a shop vac. I guess depending on where you’re equipment is located, you definitely would not want to be making that mess. Or you could slide some type of catch tray or some other system to guide the water out. Maybe like a funnel with some type of tube. But using a shop vac would definitely accomplish that. Luckily, we have rock landscaping on the side of the house where this one was located so it wasn’t much of a deal to just rinse it off afterwards. Thank you for watching.

[@ace24smashem]

Perfect instructions brother ! Appreciate your time 👍

[@FortKnoxCo]

Happy I could be of help

[@anthonywill3264]

I’m at the Urgent Care now because I didn’t bleed out the air after putting everything back together. Wish I would’ve watched that part of the video instead of pulling a “Leroy Jenkins.” Had my hand on top of the filler when it exploded from all of the hair trapped inside of it.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Aww man I’m sorry to hear that. Yeah you gotta do those first couple steps otherwise it can be dangerous with all the pressure inside the filter housing. I hope your all right and get well soon

[@DoughnutFamily]

This was sooooo helpful!! And, We have the same exact system. Thank you so much!!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Nice! Thank you for finding my channel. 8 appreciate it. Happy you found the video helpful 🤙🏼

[@itsandrew8758]

Crazy to see how much dirt came out of those filters. Nice vid. I’d recommend cleaning the lip and rubber every time, careful not to stretch the rubber while cleaning it. Pentair filters are known to leak if debris is caught between the lids. Also use a rubber mallet to tap around the metal band clamp for even pressure while tightening

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you for the good tips! Very helpful. I’ve heard a lot of people get stuck on the reassembling and that metal band. Rubber mallet and cleaning the rubber ring are great tips.

[@fredbuchanan2560]

Most band leaks occur because the band binds as you tighten it. The band looks tight from the front but is loose in other areas. If you tap around the band with a dead-blow or rubber mallet as you tighten it, it helps seat the band and prevents binding and leaks.

[@FortKnoxCo]

That’s a really good point. Thank you for the tip!

[@fredbuchanan2560]

You live in a sandy area just like me. (High Desert of CA, here.) You may want to look into adding a cyclone pre-filter. They run about the same as a new set of filters, but will keep 70% to 80% of the sand and dirt from ever making it to the filter. It takes about 4 gallons of water, with your pump on high to back flush the cyclone. The two best are: CircuPool TJ-16 Typhoon, and the Waterco cyclone 16. Best regards, for the great video.

[@FortKnoxCo]

@@fredbuchanan2560 yep. Lots of dust is the air out here. Lol. Especially with me doing construction for the last year building in our lot. Hopefully it will be reduced significantly now that the casita is almost done. I need to look into that cyclone though. That would be a good addition for sure. Thank you for the recommendation. I’m from the HD. Hesperia/Apple Valley/Victorville area. 🤙🏼

[@coffence]

Great video. I would turn your air relief valve toward the wall and away from the heater or chiller or other metal if that is a salt pool. Squirting salt water on metal, as you probably know is bad. Anyway good job.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you I really appreciate it. Yeah that’s good info. When setting up the top cap of your filter housing, set yourself up with the site relief pointed In a good direction. 🤙🏼

[@rhuggard2011]

Pull the drain plug after air relief and before taking clamp off. It drains and relieves pressure as well. For extra safety.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Good tip. Gotta make sure that tank is de pressurized for sure.

[@armandoflores9674]

Thank You…🙏🏼 Le me try it on my pool 👍🏼

[@FortKnoxCo]

You’re very welcome!

[@smartin5457]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Happy to be of help 🤙🏼

[@kingmartell8247]

Thank you so much this video was so helpful I’m just so nervous to mess with poor equipment I wish the Pool Guy was affordable

[@FortKnoxCo]

It’s not too bad at all. Just like I showed in the video, there’s no tricks. Hardest part is spending the time rinsing out the filters. Everything else is pretty straight forward. Make sure the power is turned off and that you relieve the pressure from the tanks before opening.

[@Imwright720]

I test and adjust my ph daily. I like it right at 7.2. I wash my filter every Sunday and clean the skimmer once a day along with scooping out any leaves. I can’t imagine cleaning once ever 6 months. Doesn’t seem like enough.

[@FortKnoxCo]

A lot of it really depends on where you live and how much you’re running your pool. If you live in a really dusty area, you might have to do it more often. But I know a lot of pool, maintenance companies who do weekly and monthly services will suggest cleaning out your filters by annually or quarterly. a good rule of thumb is before and after your pool season. But at the end of the day it’s whatever meets your needs and abilities. Main thing is that your keeping your filters clean so your pool runs smoothly.

[@smptactical259]

I run my single speed pump 8 hours a day for estimated 2x turn over of 15200gal pool. I paid to have my filter cleaned and pool serviced, it was $125 for a one time fee. They recommended a service that would be around $225 a month, I declined. Thankfully not too much debris gets in my pool, occasionally from storms I do. I clean my baskets about once a month. I shock weekly and my filter is replace it annually. I skip the cleaning but I was very shocked to find that my filter was not as filthy as I thought it would have been. I've seen pool filter videos where its nasty with muck. Mine where fairly dirty but no where near the gunked stuff I see put on rigs to spin clean. Since my filters were only $125 new. I just replace them for every service. They 7" x 26" I think, four total for 105gpm flow rate. I also use a pump driven robot vacuum about once a month as well. It's warm now so the pool is quite thirsty always needing a top off every few days.

[@FortKnoxCo]

@@smptactical259 sound like you got it down! Good job! Yeah sometimes it may be easier to replace the filters annually. Depending on how often you clean them or like you mentioned maybe they don’t get very dirty very often then you can adjust accordingly.

[@Imwright720]

@@smptactical259 I’m new at this pool thing and after one year haven’t shocked my pool. I don’t understand the need. I have a salt generator and I take my water to the store and a machine tests it. They also encourage me to shock it. My pool is crystal clear and I’m usually almost perfect on my numbers. Cyanuric acid was a little low but I fixed it. The rest of my numbers are usually spot on or very close. I don’t understand the need to add the extra chemicals. Maybe washing my filters every week and daily cleaning of the pool prevents the need

[@thomasnew8606]

​@@smptactical259I am not OCD but it seems like you are not cleaning your pool, filter, water near enough.

[@ScottyP123]

Great job and great attitude. Thank you!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you I really appreciate that

[@jayjones3254]

Good video. You should always "lubricate" all those O-Rings including the large one that the band clamps to. 😏

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you. And yes that would be a really good idea!

[@rjn1124]

I didn’t notice what positions your valves were in. If you turn off the valve between the filter and the pump and basket you shouldn’t have to fill the basket with water before starting up. Does that make sense?

[@FortKnoxCo]

Yeah that does make sense. If you’re able to shut off the valves you’d be able to stop the water flow and the air from flushing through. Thats actually a really good idea to try. I’ve always fought the fact that your system once opened would allow all the water and air in because of gravity saying so. But shutting off the valve and isolating the system could be a good idea.

[@brianphxaz123]

Thank you! I am going out to give it a try now.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Awesome! You got this. The first time is a little bit of a learning phase. But it’s not too hard and the next time you need to clean them out it’ll be easier

[@brianphxaz123]

@@FortKnoxCo Your Directions were Perfect! My filters were disgusting but now they are all cleaned up.

[@FortKnoxCo]

@@brianphxaz123 that’s awesome! Good job! Happy I could be of help

[@chrisanderson687]

Awesome, extremely helpful video, thank you for doing this!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you I appreciate that. Happy I could be of help.

[@gonzalorivera3623]

Very helpful!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you 🤙🏼

[@Jrjularb]

Great video!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you!!

[@brians.4488]

Those are clean ones id they were in the south were im located. Some 4 cartridge systems need once a quarter washing

[@FortKnoxCo]

Man that would be a lot of work. Especially if you have to pay someone quarterly to clean them, can get really expensive

[@RohHabibi]

Thank you so much for this walk through !!! I think im gonna pay the pool guy lol

[@FortKnoxCo]

lol. I appreciate it.

[@finanzastv888]

Excellent video! I'll save some money after this. Just one question. Is the diatomaceous earth really needed and how to use it? I was tool by the swimming pool service man that it was needed. Thank you again!

[@FortKnoxCo]

That isn’t required and I haven’t personally seen it used myself. Some systems use diatomaceous earth to help with killing algae and they say it filters the water well. But again I just stick with the cartridges and cleaning them a couple times a year.

[@finanzastv888]

@@FortKnoxCo Thank you very much for your response. I highly appreciate it!

[@FortKnoxCo]

@@finanzastv888 no problem at all

[@AlineSnyder-bu4uq]

i really appreciate you doing this video. My son-in-law says he hates doing it..(with my assist), and i fear i am on my own to do this task. PS any ideas for troubleshooting why the top doesn’t sit flush with the bottom? After last cleaning, this was noted and all inner workings seemed to be in place.

[@FortKnoxCo]

No problem at all. If the top doesn’t seem to be fitting down all the way or lining up right make sure your filters are seated all the way down and the fittings are all in place and secure. I’ve seen the internals push on the top cap slightly and that seems to be keeping it out of alignment. There is a spring in the top of the filters with that screen and that will apply a little pressure on the top lid. So you may need to push down a bit while securing the metal belt around tip and bottom seam. Also making sure you big rubber O ring is seated properly in its groove. That will almost always throw the whole process off

[@Al-rm6iz]

Thank you for this great instructional video, sir.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Your welcome 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@poopmouthjones]

My pool is 15 years old but I just moved into the house. I have to get it up to snuff according to my Leslie’s results but after my no-phos they said I had to clean pool filter. So I watched your video, hopefully will get it done Tuesday. My pool doesn’t have an app or any of those fancy buttons, just a breaker system. I don’t know but I am nervous to do it, the guy has it all set to timers but it’s off on the time and I couldn’t move the lever to the actual off spot, just the timed setting or on.

[@FortKnoxCo]

You definitely need to turn off the power before working on it. Thats first step always. Then you don’t have to worry about the system turning on while you have it apart. Then relieving the pressure from the system through the turn valve and then the drain plug on the canister. Once you have the power off, pressure relieved and the water flowing out the rest is very simple and step by step. Take apart, rinse and re assemble. If you don’t have the manual on your system you can usually find it online for free from whoever makes you pool motor/filter system. They have full instructions to follow in there to make sure you do it properly and safely.

[@donuli7222]

Super helpful. Great explanation

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you 🤙🏼

[@moush71128]

Nice video! I know I sometimes soak the filters overnight in a cartridge filter solution after cleaning them. Have you had good luck with that?

[@FortKnoxCo]

I haven’t done that myself but that could be a good step to add.

[@AlineSnyder-bu4uq]

can you do a video showing how to get that metal band securely around the belly of this filter? I have same filter and EVERY filter clean is unpleasant because of this band! Two of us struggle getting this band in place EVERY time. Would really appreciate a video on how to hold this in place (it keeps slipping before we get hardware in place).

[@FortKnoxCo]

Yep! I should be cleaning the filters again here soon and I’ll do a little more in detail showing that part. I appreciate the feedback and suggestion

[@lisavanenkevort8457]

Fantastic video. Thank you!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you! I really appreciate that

[@mimiwm2155]

Thank you so much for this great video! I watched another video, they did mention how to get dirty water out of the filter tank so I used shop vac 😂 I always had a hard time putting the ring backup and tighten it myself though.😢

[@FortKnoxCo]

You’re very welcome. Happy to be of help. I know what you mean about the ring, the first time doing it is a little hard, but it gets easier each time you do it

[@Fgalvezpool]

Filter has a plug at the bottom, remove that and it will empty out all the water

[@Jch833]

Hey bro, thanks for the video. I do all my own pool maintenance and this helped me figure out a few loose ends. Only thing I’d say is you should consider holding that hose nozzle a lot closer to get a little more power in the water stream. The way you’re doing it is probably only getting 30% of the muck out, even though it looks clean on the surface.

[@FortKnoxCo]

I appreciate it. Yeah I had to go over the filters several times to get good clear water out of them. I use a better nozzle too now.

[@kammhron]

Good video. How do you know when it's time to purchase a new set of filters?

[@FortKnoxCo]

A general rule of thumb is to replace him every 1 to 2 years. I would lean more towards two years personally. They say most pool filters are good for about 2000 running hours. The main factors that can compromise your filters overtime is how heavily used they are or how heavily used your pool is. They are factoring in all of the sunscreen, hair products, or other chemicals that will go through your pool overtime that can deteriorate the filter material. But I would say in general, every couple years or if you start to see visual damage or the material falling apart.

[@Jomievolution8]

Thank you !!!! Just did mine today and was so easy thanks you bro

[@FortKnoxCo]

That’s great you got it done. Your very welcome 🤙🏼

[@brians.4488]

They are more dirty than i first thought. Ever tried one of those rotisserie type cartridge cleaner thingy?

[@FortKnoxCo]

I haven’t tried one of those yet but have considered maybe making one. If done right they could cut down the cleaning time significantly

[@diannaadeniyan]

Glad I found this video very helpful Thank You 🎉

[@FortKnoxCo]

Your welcome

[@Ryan-mn2dd]

Thanks for posting this. Very helpful. Also don’t straight up live in the middle of the desert? Looked like it went on forever in one of the shots.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Your welcome. I’m glad you found it helpful. You never know if ppl will like the video or not. But I figured why not share what I’m doing so others can maybe save the money. And yeah not in the middle of the desert but we have an elevation over the houses near by so it kinda looks like that when looking out over our back walls. Picked a good lot when we were planning the build 🤙🏼

[@jacobkhalil9791]

Do you have any videos on pool heater problems or changing its parts?

[@FortKnoxCo]

Not specifically on the pool heater. Sorry.

[@leviirvin1779]

Thank you for your video! Helped me out a lot!!!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Your very welcome !

[@briancarroll3288]

Watched video and notice you did not fill the cartridge tank with any water prior to putting the top cover and belly band on. Was wanting to know if me filling it before closing makes a difference? Is this the same just another way ?

[@FortKnoxCo]

Filling it up before hand can help with having less air in your system. It’s not necessarily required, but if you wanna throw some water in the bottom of that or inside the pump to kind of jumpstarted, it doesn’t hurt.

[@LA-zc9rg]

Cartridges are a giant PIA. Switched to sand filter using glass and a salt generator. The pool almost maintains itself. I’ve cut my mtn time by 75% easy,😎 more time for 🌞 🏊‍♂️ 🍺

[@FortKnoxCo]

Yeah the cartridges take some time. I’m going to have to look into other options like you said. I’m all about saving time

[@jpedersen01]

Use a 7/8 deep socket on the band nut. Much faster and easier than a wrench

[@FortKnoxCo]

Yes! Great suggestion. If you have that I’d definitely use it. It would make your life much easier

[@bofdiggy1918]

Thanks man, great vid. This helped a lot, appreciate you. 🙏

[@FortKnoxCo]

Awesome! Your very welcome!

[@RS-uh7rz]

Beautiful pool. Great video.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you. I appreciate that

[@InmarGp]

Thank you so much for this video man!

[@FortKnoxCo]

You’re welcome 🤙🏼🤙🏼 glad you found it helpful.

[@bipolarass3487]

Great video. Doing this as a side job.

[@FortKnoxCo]

That’s awesome! Happy I could be of help

[@emmanuelsurf]

I’ll try that tomorrow morning. My pool heater is saying no flow and I am suspecting the pool filter is dirty. The pool guy was supposed to be doing that but I guess he hasn’t been doing his job.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Yeah that’s usually the first thing that will cause anything on your pool to be outa wack. The filers and the removable screen in the pump. If the water doesn’t flow freely it throws everything off. And yeah I wouldn’t doubt the pool guy “forgot” to do it. It’s the hardest part of their service. Sometimes they charge extra the months they have to clean the filter or add it as an optional service

[@IreneGonzalez-ku7oz]

My cartridges say bottom on one end, so I don’t flip mine. Don’t know if it really matters. Unless not all indicate the bottom side.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Yeah I’ve seen some that say bottom too. But the ones I’ve been using seem to be universal. They are built identical top to bottom.

[@garysauer2653]

Great video- very helpful. Thanks

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you ! Your very welcome.

[@BastiAdventure]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Your welcome!

[@ernestperez983]

Thank you so much brother help me out so much and saved me$$$$

[@FortKnoxCo]

Your welcome! Thats awesome you got it done. Saving that cash is the best part.

[@user-rw2ht4pe1z]

Great video! Really appreciate the tutorial!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you! Happy I could help

[@milesmurray742]

Turn your crescent wrench around bro haha

[@FortKnoxCo]

lol 💯

[@poke777890]

I have to clean mine once a week

[@FortKnoxCo]

Geeze. I do not envy you. That would be grounds to just filling the pool and making a big patio Or basketball court

[@AlShams69]

Amazing video brother god bless you

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you I appreciate that

[@caliytito323]

Thanks for the video bud very helpful.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Your welcome! Happy to be of help

[@user-qg7jj4mo6t]

I don't think your sight window on the secondary filter should be showing that much activity. You have air somewhere in the system. When a pool filter system is working properly it should look totally clear. Other than that, I agree with your procedure.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Yes, I agree. There shouldn’t be air or much at all in there. I think it was just because I had just started it back up and I hadn’t had the high RPMs going to be able to flush out all of that air so while it was running at a low RPM it was, not circulating the water fast enough to pull those bubbles out. But on the daily, it doesn’t have air in there. It could just be because of the low RPMs on the cycle. I have set throughout the day.

[@jennycollins7388]

I see you have a salt pool can you also show how to clean the salt filter as well? That would be wonderful! Super helpful video..

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you ! This is actually on a chlorinated pool, no salt. But the next time I do a clean out of a salt pool I’ll be sure to make a video on it.

[@arvellefearn3868]

Where do you turn off the system to clean the filter?

[@FortKnoxCo]

On the pump there should be the button to power on and off. And at the breaker you can turn the breaker to the poop pump off. Either next to the system on the panel or at your main breaker panel

[@theresacamlin1067]

Cleaned the filter per your instructions. Put everything back together. Now i have a leak at the drain on the bottom. Is there a gasket or o ring for that fitting that i might have dropped?

[@FortKnoxCo]

You are referring to the plastic plug that screws in at the bottom of your large filter container? There usually is a small O ring or flat rubber washer that helps recreate a seal. You may need to tighten it more, or can pull out and clean the threads and make sure it’s screwed in correctly and not cross threaded. That way it sits tight Make sure you turn the power off and relieve the pressure inside the filter canister with the relieve valve before removing the plug on the bottom.

[@joerodriguez4713]

No DE needed? I have similar quad filters but mine are not paper and requires DE

[@FortKnoxCo]

Yeah the one I worked on in this video doesn’t require DE either

[@ozzarelli]

Great video!! Thanks for demystifying it!!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Your very welcome. Happy to be of help

[@jamespolucha8790]

Do I need to turn the pool water valves off ?

[@FortKnoxCo]

The water fill for your pool? No. You just need to make sure the pool pump is off and breaker turned off so it doesn’t accidentally start to run while you have everything open

[@kraigbutcher4864]

So i have had to shock my.pool how do i vaccume it without the stuff going back into the jacuzzi. Can i open that bottom blug and vaccume the pool

[@FortKnoxCo]

If you don’t want water flow going through the jacuzzi you’d just need to close the valves that pull the water from the and close the return to the jacuzzi. That way the vacuum is only Pulling water from the main pool and returning to the main pool.

[@jasonstarr7335]

Great job. Thank you

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you! I appreciate it.

[@f.jameshammer5237]

Thanks!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. 🙏🏼

[@brianbickham3374]

Did you install the pool gate? Im looking for a good solution and that seems like a good one for my yard

[@FortKnoxCo]

Unfortunately I did not. But after having two done for me I’d be confident in doing one. I’d you’re ever drilled into concrete before that’s the hardest part. No pun intended. Measuring out your posts and drilling is the key to keeping it sturdy. I think they cost a couple thousand to have done by a company. Depending on your area. $1,400-2k?

[@brianbickham3374]

@@FortKnoxCo Thats what I was afraid of. I do have the drill bits for it, but I do not have enough torque on my drill to go through concrete.

[@brianbickham3374]

@@FortKnoxCo is it a metal frame with nylon netting, or aluminum framing...?

[@FortKnoxCo]

@@brianbickham3374 you would need a hole cutting bit. Depending on what gate system you get. I’ve seen some use a 1/2” hole all the way up to 1” hole. The posts are usually all metal/steel. I don’t believe they are aluminum. Nylon or some type of synthetic mesh.

[@dbsimms63]

Nice tutorial. I notice you have a similar spa blower that I'm thinking of getting to replace mine worn out unit. Did you put an on/off switch on it? Also how big is your pool? What type of pool heater are you using? Thanks.

[@FortKnoxCo]

Thank you. Yes there is an on/off switch but it’s also controlled by my power board and turns on automatically when I turn on the spa. My last pool was all manual and I had to flip the blower switch when I was running the spa. Our pool Is just under 600sqft perimeter I believe. Deepest part is about 6.5’. Spa is 8x6. I believe the heater is a Pentair gas heater.

[@dbsimms63]

When you removed the lower drain plug on the filter, does the nut turn the whole fitting, so you loosen it a little and then turn the larger black piece to take it out? Did you happen to notice the size, mine is in an awkward position and is tough to see and get to, so I was going to use a ratchet and socket to loosen it. Thanks again in advance.

[@FortKnoxCo]

@@dbsimms63 yeah it should have a nut head and it’s all one piece. I used a crescent wrench, so I didn’t get the size. Sorry. But I almost always have to use a wrench to loosen it. Then the rest by hand. Same with tightening it. I use a wrench to snug it up and make it water tight when done

[@kingofqueens777]

If the Wi-Fi goes out, will my pump still work even though the Wi-Fi might be out?

[@FortKnoxCo]

Yes. The WiFi just connects you to the panel outside to turn on or off stuff or make schedule modifications. But the panel outside is the main unit and has all its settings there. So it will run whatever is scheduled.

[@JeffSorensen-sw8yk]

Very easy, thanks

[@FortKnoxCo]

Your very welcome

[@1371ddcantu]

I’m 4 months into my new pool - about to do this too! Thanks for tutorial. Question: Will filling the filter cartridge up (half way or so) with water before clamping it down help with air issue you encountered? Or should water only be added through pump? Thanks

[@FortKnoxCo]

Yep! Your thinking correctly. It won’t hurt to fill it up a little, it’ll reduce the time the pump needs to fill the system. If you do decide to add water to the tank before you put the top half on, you may or may not be able to get it all the way filled because some of that water may start to run back into some of the pipes. So if you can envision it, you would be adding water not just to that bottom half of the tank, but possibly some of the pipes that go to the pump or underground to your pool depending on where they come in to That Place. But adding water, either way could reduce the time it takes for the pump to be fully filled. I’m happy you found my video and thank you for watching. I appreciate it.

[@1371ddcantu]

@@FortKnoxCo​​⁠just did this over the weekend. Thanks for saving me a couple hundred bucks! Pool skimmer socks catch a lot of debris too - started adding those to help out the filter. I ended up adding water to the filter after cleaning it and the pump cranked right up. Thanks again!

[@FortKnoxCo]

@@1371ddcantu that’s awesome !! And it makes me happy to see my video could help some people save money. I know it feels good keeping that money in the pocket. Thanks again for commenting and watching the video.

[@jeff20583]

No soap or oil remover enzyme??? Ok Mr pro how you getting the oil out ?

[@FortKnoxCo]

There isn’t any oil in this system…. Not sure what type of pool filtration system you’re thinking of.

[@mhsphysics1]

That worked, thanks!

[@FortKnoxCo]

Awesome!!