AstralPool XC Series

Filters OK but housing has a "drain filter" which traps debris in the housing – New product with a large design flaw, the drain point at the bottom of the housing has a "drain filter" with slots so narrow fine gravel e.g., crusher dust which wind blows into the pool and leaves - get stuck in the "drain filter" slots. I have to stick my arm in the dirty water to keep brushing the debris away so the filter housing will drain,… Read more

then wipe it with a rag, so I can use the small exit. Only other solution is to keep unscrewing the large cap and letting the dirty water gush everywhere rather than the smaller drain hole for controlled release or release using a drain hose. I tried telephoning Austral Pools but they gave me the brush off, told me their product had zero flaws (I wonder did they even test it on a real pool in real Australian conditions) and I should use a skimmer box sock. I am using a skimmer box sock. Nowhere on the website does it say "cannot be used without a skimmer box sock". The person at Austral Pools told me I was not supposed to have debris in my pool like fine gravel and leaves (?? what isn't that why I need a filter ???) and I should have bought a sand filter if I didn't want a "drain filter". This is disgraceful as I had the predecessor of this product (HurIcon ZX 150 cartridge filter) for 17 years with no problem like this. I was not allowed to talk to anyone in management or design at Austral Pools, instead I was told to lodge a warranty claim but if the product was working as designed, I would be charged a call out fee. It is working as designed, the design has a giant FLAW !! Avoid this product, the manufacturer is not willing to listen to even the most basic of design suggestion, they talk over you on the phone, and treat you like rubbish for just suggesting an improvement to their product. BUY A DIFFERENT FILTER BRAND AVOID THIS NEW PRODUCT AND AUSTRAL POOLS. Heaps of choice out there don't sentence yourself to having to keep sticking your arm in the dirty water or a 2" gush of dirty water which is the other alternative. Yuk.