Intex leaf filter basket

The first image - Complete Intex Leaf catcher system with cloth mesh filter and printable replacement filter. 

The second image - Replacement filter inside of leaf catcher body and TPU gasket installed.
The cloth mesh filter being replace is to the right of the leaf catcher assembly. Original mesh filter to right of assembly.

The third image - Leaf catcher assembled with TPU gasket and replacement filter inside of assembly. Original mesh filter to right of assembly.

The fourth image - Pump basket/trap installed before pump.

The original leaf filter system works but due to the small size of the mesh filter it can be damaged if you don't clean it after vacuuming up a hand full of leaves. This leads to a lot of down time just to maintain the filter. The replacement filter should only be used if your pump has a filter basket/trap installed before it. 

The Pro's

• Less down time to clean filter catch system
• Collect larger volume of large debris between cleaning
• Easy cleaning process
• more durable than mesh filter
• less expensive than mesh filter
• Less overall time required to vacuum pool

By replacing the mesh filter with this design I was able to vacuum our pool, under normal conditions, and only had to clean the filter twice. Had I been using the normal mesh filter this would have required at least double the amount of filter cleaning, if not more. It normally takes around 5-10 minutes to clean the mesh filter, this is the time from the pump being turn off to being turned back on. With the printed filter you can collect at least double if not triple the amount of large debris and the cleaning process is as simple as unscrewing the leaf catch cap, flipping it upside down, and smacking the bottom of it to eject the debris from the filter. 

The Con's

• does not catch as fine of debris as the mesh filter
• recommend basket trap prior to filter pump
• sand filter will require a slightly extended backwash time, as compared to when mesh filter is used.

To use this filter you will need to print the file labeled "Filter_complete.stl". I printed this in PLA+ with all my normal settings and a 20% infill. This allows the filter to have a little flex in it. If you want the filter more rigid increase your infill to your desired liking. The filter was printed with a vertical orientation, the smallest diameter with the bottom slot mesh was placed on the bed and supports where selected, from the build plate only. Since this is printed in PLA+ you will want to store the filter out of direct sunlight, when not in use. I have seen no effects on the plastic due to the chemicals used in the pool water. These include, chlorine, muriatic acid, algaecide (usually some type of copper sulfate), calcium hypochlorite, sodium di-chlor, potassium monopersulfate and calcium chloride.

I have included a second file that you may print or you can remove the gasket from one of your old mesh filters. I printed the “filter_gasket.stl” file in TPU with a 10% infill. This allows the gasket to flexible enough to deform when the leaf catcher cap is installed. I also tried a print at 20% but I felt the gasket was applying to much force on the cap and was afraid it may break either the cap or the leaf catcher's body. I have seen no ill effects of the TPU from the pool water, with all chemicals as stated above. 

As of 7/23/23 I have approximately 20+ hours of water and chemical exposure to the PLA+ and TPU. I have seen no ill effects to either, at this time.