Cheap Pool Pump and Filter (10ft X 6ft Pools)

In an effort to beat the heat, I purchased a "cheap" 10ft x 6ft inflatable pool for the summer. To keep the water clean, I added a chlorine float and chorine tablets and got a cheap skimmer. Although this kept the water "safe", particles would accumulate in the pool - bugs, dirt, dust, etc. To deal with this, I needed a pool filter and pump. There are many available to buy, but I didn't want to pay more for a filter and pump than I paid for the pool. This got the DIY juices flowing, and after some inspiration from a youtube video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMvbFZiO87E), I set out to put together a cheap and effective filter.

An important tradeoff in a submersible pump is price vs. water moved (L/GPH/GPM - liters/gallons per hour/gallons per minute). There are many pumps available online that are suitable, but I decided upon one listed below based on the price, speed of delivery, the fact that it is rated at 600 GPH, and the fact that it included tubing and fittings.

• Swimming Pool Winter Cover Drain Pump (600 GPH) Kit
  • Includes 75W pump
  • Includes 22 foot long "kink-proof" tubing
  • Includes fittings and hose clamp
• Bag of Poly-Fil Polyester Batting
• Empty 2L Soda Bottle
• (Optional) Small Wire Tie
• (Optional) Pool Noodle and Twine
• (Optional) Hot Glue

• Additional Recommended Pool Items:
  • Skimmer Net (without pole):
    • Amazon ASIN Number: B07D8JJ5ZT
    • Current Price: $7.99

Collect the necessary materials:

1. FibroPool Electric Swimming Pool Winter Cover Drain Pump Kit
   • Amazon ASIN Number: B01GQUOS5A
   • Current Price: $31.95
   • Includes: Pump, 22 foot long tubing, and fittings
2. Poly-Fil Polyester Batting
   • Amazon ASIN Number: B07DPZ92FD
   • Current Price: $6.17 per 12 ounce bag
   • NOTE: Any "siliconized" (as opposed to "dry") polyester fiber fill should be suitable
3. 2L Plastic Coke Bottle
4. (Optional) Small Wire Tie
5. (Optional) Pool Noodle and Twine
6. (Optional) Hot Glue

Carefully drill or ream a 1/2 inch hole in the plastic 2L bottle cap. The process may be simplified by first drilling a smaller pilot hole to guide the larger drill bit.

Smooth off any rough edges to the newly-drilled hole. Carefully insert approximately 1 to 2 inches of tubing through the hole.

Optional: A small wire tie may be added below the cap to make it more resistant to being pulled out during use. If a wire tie is used, trim the excess as close as possible.

Using a small drill bit (5/32 inch), drill a number of equally-spaced holes in the bottom and bottom 1/4 of the side of the 2L bottle. The precise number of holes isn't critical, but it is important that the holes be limited to the bottom 1/4 of the bottle when viewed from the side.

Stuff the poly-fil batting into the bottle until it is nearly full. Note that when the filter is placed in the water and in use, the poly-fil will compress to fill only about 2/3 of the bottle.

Insert the tubing into the bottle to the point that the cap is able to be screwed on. Maneuver the lip of the bottle around the wire tie (if one was used), and screw the cap on fully. At this point, the tubing should be firmly attached to the filter bottle.

If hot glue is available, it can be applied to the seam where the tubing enters the bottle cap to improve the seal.

1. Determine the desired length of tubing for the pool that will use the filter. For mine, I cut the tubing to approximately 10 feet long. The plastic tubing can be cut with a knife, but the "kink free" wire inside will likely require a more rugged tool such as wire cutters or large pliers.
2. After adjusting the length of the tubing, choose the nozzle included with the pump kit that matches the size of the tubing and screw it onto the pump.
3. Open the white plastic hose clamp and slide it approximately 2 inches up the tubing from the end. Leave it loose and unclamped.
4. Slide the end of the tubing over the pump nozzle as far as it will go.
5. Slide the white plastic hose clamp down the tubing until it is over the nozzle. Latch the clamp to secure it and the tubing to the nozzle.

This pump is designed by the manufacturer for use in water. Under normal usage conditions specified by the manufacturer, it is designed not to cause electric shock. However, an abundance of caution should be exercised to prevent a device malfunction from delivering a potentially fatal electric shock.

In order to reduce any chances of mishap or injury due to electrical shock:

• DO NOT HAVE THE FILTER AND PUMP IN THE POOL, PLUGGED IN, OR OPERATING WHILE THE POOL IS OCCUPIED.
• POWER THE PUMP FROM AN AC OUTLET THAT INCLUDES A GROUND-FAULT INTERRUPTER (GFI) FEATURE.
• MAKE SURE THAT HANDS AND PLUG ARE DRY WHEN PLUGGING OR UNPLUGGING THE PUMP.
• INSPECT THE POWER CABLE TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO CUTS, BREAKS, OR CRACKS BEFORE EACH USE.
• DO NOT USE AN EXTENSION CORD IF THAT CORD OR THE CONNECTION BETWEEN IT AND THE PUMP CORD CAN POSSIBLY BE EXPOSED TO WATER.
• ONLY ADULTS SHOULD USE THIS PUMP AND FILTER. DO NOT LET CHILDREN HANDLE OR OPERATE THIS DEVICE.

Most importantly, follow the aforementioned safety recommendations and any additional prudent safety considerations. Use at your own risk. No liability is assumed. No warranty is expressed.

Typical Usage:

• WHILE UNPLUGGED and the POOL IS UNOCCUPIED, lower the pump and filter into the pool. Be careful to keep the AC plug and hands dry.
• With dry hands, plug the pump's dry AC adapter directly into a dry GFI protected AC outlet that will not be exposed to water.
• Allow the pump to run and filter the water. While not an endorsement, I often leave the pump running unattended for hours.
• When ready to discontinue use; with dry hands, unplug the pump's AC plug from the GFI outlet. Be careful to keep the AC plug dry so that it will be ready for any future use.
• After unplugging the pump, the pump and filter may be removed from the pool and safely stowed.

Notes:

• The poly-fil material will discolor as it removes undesirable particles from the water. It may be used long after showing discoloration. When the filter appears to be filled to the point that it is impeding water flow or allowing filtered material to pass back into the water, a new filter may be created from a fresh 2L plastic bottle and more poly-fil by following the relevant steps above.
• To maximize filtration effectiveness, it is beneficial to place the filter in different locations in the pool.
• The filter may be used to "vacuum" small debris from the bottom of the pool. When used in this manner, it may be helpful to remove the user-serviceable plastic guard on the bottom of the pump to allow the water intake to be placed closer to the debris to vacuum.

While not required for operation, a "fountain" may be created by using segments of pool noodle tied around the plastic bottle with twine.

• Cut a number of pool noodle segments to create a floating skirt for the bottle.
• Link the pool noodle segments together with twine and tie it around the narrower section of the 2L "Coke" bottle near the bottom 1/3 of the bottle. Use a twine or string that does not stretch when wet.