How To Make A Pool Filter

When we moved into our dwelling house in Joshua Tree, the previous owners had left their stock tank pools behind—lucky for the states, as these pools have completely transformed our summers in the desert. A really affordable alternative to a pool, stock tanks tin be filled upwardly in the summer to create a shallow soaking pool, also known every bit a cowboy pool. Some of our favorite summer memories the by couple of years have been in our stock tank puddle, then afterwards we installed an in-footing puddle at our house this year, we decided to move our cowboy pool over to the Joshua Tree Business firm so that our guests could enjoy our favorite summertime experience equally well.

Adding a Filter to a Stock Tank Puddle

We get a lot of questions on Instagram about setting up and maintaining a stock tank pool, and then we're finally sharing a detailed DIY of how we installed a filter in our puddle to keep the water fresh, as well every bit what goes into maintaining the pool once it'southward fix upwardly.

Tools

Drill with adjustable torque – It is important to have a strong enough drill to cutting through the metallic. This is a practiced entry level drill that will accept enough torque to make the hole.
three″ hole saw fleck with arbor – This slides into the chuck of the drill to make the hole.
Waterproof silicone or plumber's putty – This is to make sure water doesn't leak from the pool and attaches to the washers.
Safety spectacles – It'southward important to protect your eyes when drilling to make sure that no metal fragments hurt you.

Parts

8′ circular stock tank or 5′ long stock tank – We take the viii′ circular at The Joshua Tree Firm and the 5′ long at the Casita. The eight′ circular pool fits around six people comfortably, while the 5′ long stock tank pool fits one or two people comfortably.
Pool pump with built in filter – We went with this one because it says that information technology has a minimum pool size of 700 gallons, which is how much water an viii′ round stock tank pool holds.
Strainer encompass – This connects the hose that receives water from the pool and prevents large debris from sucking into the filter/pump.
two Plunger valves – These are shut off valves for the h2o going to and from the pump. They make it easier to service the pump or replace it if needed without the water flowing out of the pool.
Type A filter replacements – These work with the suggested pump. You should supplant your filter every couple of months, but rinse them with a hose every ii weeks.
*Optional* Stock tank float valve – This part is *optional*, but keeps filling the pool and then it stays a consistent level.
*Optional* Saltwater system – Nosotros didn't use this since nosotros were concerned with rust. If yous decide to use this, you won't demand chlorine and the other maintenance products, merely table salt and you may need to paint the interior of the puddle.

Steps to install the stock tank pool filter

Make sure that you lot have all of the parts you need. When we first bought our pool pump, I incorrectly causeless that the strainer cover and the plunger valves would have come with the pump. Luckily I hadn't drilled the holes in the stock tank before I realized I still needed to order those! Make sure to order your strainer and plunger valves separately.
Find a spot for your pool. Depending on the size of the pool, make certain that you choose a spot that is fairly level and can fit the pool. Y'all may need to level out the area to brand this happen. You tin also utilize pavers or rocks in the area to make sure that there'south no water erosion.
Make sure at that place is ability. The pump needs to plug into a GFCI (an outlet with a excursion breaker congenital in) that is in an outdoor box. If you don't take i nearly the spot you want to place the pool, you may need to have a licensed electrician run power there.
Choose the pigsty locations. Yous'll need to drill two 3 inch holes into the side of the stock tank pool. The first is for the strainer, which receives water from the puddle and lets it into the filter and pump. This needs to exist near three to 6 inches from the bottom of the stock tank pool. The 2nd hole is for the filtered water jet coming from the pump which tin can be a few inches below the top water line, or lined upward with the strainer. At the Joshua Tree Firm we take the strainer and jet about 18 inches autonomously and level (three inches from the bottom).
Drill the holes. Attach the three″ pigsty saw chip to the drill. Triple check the positioning since you don't want to drill the wrong spot! This DIY does not get over patching holes ;). Press the drill firmly and drill a hole into the side of the stock tank pool. Repeat for the 2d hole.
Attach the jet. Place the flat strainer rubber washer over the threaded connector of the jet. Put a liberal bead of silicone over top of the prophylactic washer where it will connect to the side of the stock tank pool. This is to ensure that regardless the size of the hole, there won't be any leaks. Push the threaded connector through the jet pigsty and connect step washer (included with your pump) and strainer nut on the exterior of the pool. I would also suggest to put another liberal dewdrop of silicone on the step washer where it connects to the outside of the pool.
Attach the strainer comprehend. Follow the same directions as the stride above, just utilize the strainer parts instead of the jet.
Connect the plunger valves. Using the nut at the end of the plunger valve, adhere it to the exposed threads of the jet and strainer. Make certain that the plunger valves are open and then water can flow through them.
Connect the hoses. Attach the hoses to the bottom of the plunger valves, and to the correct spots of the pump. Brand sure that the strainer goes to the filter, and the jet hose goes to the pump.
Ostend that there are no leaks. After almost 30 minutes (or whichever drying fourth dimension your silicone suggests), spray the jet and strainer to run into if there are any leaks. If there are, check the connections and you lot may need to apply more silicone.
Fill up up the puddle. Now nosotros're all set upwards and can make full up the pool! With a fifty foot hose, it should take a little under 1 60 minutes to make full up an viii human foot circular stock tank pool. Once it's total, add the chlorine and other h2o treatment to brand certain the h2o stays clean.
Turn on the pump. Plug the pump in and accept it kickoff filtering the water! Y'all may need to release air from the top of the filter by twisting the knob on top to let water get through. After some h2o comes out, twist the knob dorsum to the original position.

Maintenance

It'due south of import to treat your puddle once a calendar week to go along consistent chlorine and PH levels. This will increase the pump'due south lifespan and keep it working more efficiently. Not to mention, it's better for your pare and eyes to make sure the water is not too acidic. Be sure to spray downward the filter every two weeks and replace every two to 3 months.

Puddle test strips – Utilize these to check the chlorine and PH levels of the pool.
3″ chlorine tablets – These keep the water clean by killing bacteria and algae.
Floating chlorine dispenser – Just add a chlorine tablet to this to have it slowly dissolve.
PH up – This is also known as soda ash which makes sure the water isn't too acidic. It prevents erosion and red heart irritation.
PH downwardly – This is also known as sodium bisulfate and fixes PH levels that are likewise high. It prevents skin irritation and pool scale formation.
Shock – This kills the algae in the stock tank puddle.