Bestway Flowclear Filter Cartridges and Pumps
Bestway Flowclear cartridge pumps use one of four cartridge types: Type I for the 330 gal/h pump, Type II for the 800, Type III (A/C) for the 530 to 1,500, and Type IV-B for the 2,500 gal/h pump. Bestway says to replace the cartridge every two weeks.
Always follow your product’s label directions. Pool and spa chlorine, bromine, shock and algaecides are EPA-registered pesticides: use products labeled for pool or spa use, and don’t swim or soak until levels are within the limit on your product’s label. If this page and a label disagree, the label wins.
On this page (8 sections)
"Gal/h" is gallons of water per hour that the pump moves. Bestway names its pumps by that number, so the "1,000 gal" pump is a 1,000 gal/h pump, not a pump for a 1,000 gallon pool. Match the number printed on your pump to the tables below.
Bestway Flowclear pumps and the pools they suit
Data comes from Bestway USA product pages and the pump manual, read on 2026-10-06. "Pool range" is Bestway's own recommendation for water volume. Where Bestway's current site did not give a value, the cell says so.
| Pump | Model | Pool range (gal) | Cartridge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330 gal/h | 58511E | Not confirmed | Type I | Cartridge page says 110–120 V |
| 530 gal/h | 58384E | Not confirmed | Type III (A/C) | Product page no longer opens |
| 800 gal/h | P04203 (replacement set) | 300–4,600 | Type II | Fits Power Steel and Steel Pro MAX pools sold with an 800 pump |
| 1,000 gal/h | 58388E | 300–5,100 | Type III (A/C) | Timer up to 10 hours |
| 1,500 gal/h | P09433 (replacement set) | 300–8,400 | Type III (A/C) | Currently listed as sold out |
| 2,500 gal/h | 58392E | 300–16,400 | Type IV-B | 1.5 in threaded valves, or 1.25 in with included adapters |
| 3,000 gal/h sand | 58692E | 300–17,600 | None (sand) | 6-position handle; strainer basket |
The 330, 530 and 1,000 pumps share one owner's manual (58511E, 58384E, 58388E). The 330 and 530 pool ranges are not in the table because Bestway's current web pages for those pumps did not give them. Check your own pump's box or manual for them.
Notice the pool range always starts at 300 gallons, even for the biggest pump. To find your pool's own volume and start-up doses, see Bestway pool sizes and chemicals.
Cartridge types and sizes
| Type | Item number | Size | Made for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type I | 58093E (2-pack) | 3.1 in × 3.5 in | 330 gal/h pumps |
| Type II | Not confirmed | We could not confirm | 800 gal/h pumps |
| Type III (also called A/C) | 58012E | 4.2 in × 8.0 in | 530 to 1,500 gal/h pumps |
| Type IV-B (also called B) | 58095E | 5.6 in × 10 in | 2,500 gal/h pumps |
Sizes are from Bestway USA's cartridge pages. We found no Bestway page that lists a Type II item number or size.
Bestway puts "A/C" on the Type III cartridge and "B" on the Type IV cartridge. Those letters match the lettering used by another popular pump brand. We did not test whether cartridges swap between brands, so check the old cartridge size and the pump manual before you order. The Intex cartridge types guide shows how that brand labels its own cartridges.
To find your type: look at the pump's label for the flow number, then match it in the first table. If there is no label, measure the old cartridge and compare the length with the size column.
How often to clean or replace
Bestway recommends replacing the cartridge every two weeks "for best results." Its manual gives the same advice for the 330, 530 and 1,000 pumps, and says that the pump must be unplugged before any maintenance. For the 2,500 pump's Type IV-B cartridge, Bestway's page says to clean it as needed with a garden hose, "or simply replace your filter every 2 weeks."
The Type III page describes the paper folds as reusable: take the filter out of the pump and spray the debris off with a garden hose. A rinse every few days, then a new cartridge every two weeks, is a simple routine that matches those instructions. Rinse sooner when leaves or sunscreen are heavy, or after any shocking or algae treatment.
Timer and run time
The 330, 530 and 1,000 pumps have a timer on the plug. Each LED light stands for 2 hours of running time, and you can set 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours. The pump then starts again at the same time the next day. After a power outage, or if you unplug the GFCI, the timer resets to a 10 hour default and your setting is lost. If your pool sees outages, check the timer again after one. The 1,000 and 2,500 product pages give 10 hours as the maximum for the timer.
Bestway's pages do not state a recommended run time, so we are not repeating one from another brand. The pool pump run time calculator turns your pool volume and the pump's flow into hours. A result over 10 means the pump is too small for the pool.
Set-up and air
- Place the pump on solid, level ground at the same level as the base of the pool. Bestway says a pump set higher or lower than the pool base can hurt performance and life span.
- Make sure the hydraulic connectors are not blocked, and that both the pool's inlet and outlet are open and fully covered with water.
- Do the air discharging step in the manual before you switch the pump on, and again after every maintenance job. Bestway says skipping it greatly affects the pump's life span.
- Plug the pump into a GFCI outlet and set the timer.
Never run the pump dry: Bestway's manual says "do not dry run." If flow is weak, first check the cartridge, then the air discharge step, then the hoses and strainers for blockage. The manual for your model has the drawings. For chemistry, a clogged cartridge is a frequent hidden cause of green or cloudy water; see the green pool guide.
Storage in the off-season
Before storing the pump, remove and throw away the cartridge, and make sure the pump, hoses and debris screens are clean and dry; Bestway warns that damp parts can grow mold. It strongly recommends taking the pump apart when the air temperature is below 50 °F (10 °C), and storing it in a dry place between 50 °F and 100 °F (10 °C and 38 °C). The pool side of winter is in how to close an above-ground pool.
FAQ
What size filter cartridge does a Bestway 1,000 gal pump use?
Type III (A/C), 4.2 in × 8.0 in, according to Bestway USA's product pages. The same type is used for the 530 and 1,500 gal/h pumps.
How often should I change a Bestway filter cartridge?
Every two weeks, says Bestway. You can rinse a cartridge with a garden hose between changes, then replace it when it stays dirty.
What is a Bestway Type I, II, III or IV filter?
They are four cartridge sizes matched to pump flow: I for 330 gal/h, II for 800, III for 530 to 1,500, and IV (B) for 2,500. We found sizes for I, III and IV on Bestway's site, but not for II.
Can I use a Bestway pump on any above-ground pool?
Bestway's pages describe its pumps as compatible with almost all above-ground pools of any brand within the stated volume range. Hose and valve size must still match; the 2,500 pump includes adapters for 1.25 in valves.
Why does my Bestway pump timer reset?
After a power outage or an unplugged GFCI, the timer goes back to a 10 hour default. Set it again.
Sources
- Bestway USA, 1,000 gal. filter pump 58388E: bestwayusa.com
- Bestway USA, 2,500 gal. filter pump 58392E: bestwayusa.com
- Bestway USA, 800 gal. cartridge filter pump replacement P04203: bestwayusa.com
- Bestway USA, 1,500 gal. cartridge filter pump replacement P09433: bestwayusa.com
- Bestway USA, 3,000 gal. sand filter pump 58692E: bestwayusa.com
- Bestway USA, Flowclear Type I cartridge (58093E): bestwayusa.com
- Bestway USA, Flowclear Type III cartridge (58012E): bestwayusa.com
- Bestway USA, Pool filter cartridge IV-B (58095E): bestwayusa.com
- Bestway owner's manual, filter pumps 58511E / 58384E / 58388E (timer, air discharge, storage): PDF