Buying new filter system, need advice

[Halfdone]

Hi all,

We have been using a DE filter system for the last 8 years and have been very unhappy with it. The filter body blew out yesterday (over pressurized) and now we need to replace the system.

I originally had a small cartridge filter system (maybe 75-90sqf), which kept the pool clean but was a lot of work to clean the cartridges. I thought the DE system was going to be easier, but turned out to be a nightmare to clean the elements and back-washing never worked right.

I live in N. California Sacramento area and have an in-ground vinyl liner pool about 17-18000 gallons, octagon shaped 36.6x15.75 average depth of about 5.25ft (7.5' deep end, 3' shallow end, calculated using oval shape). It has a single skimmer with 1.5" pipe from the skimmer to the pump area about 10ft away). The pump is a 1hp Jacuzzi Magnum-force 2". I have plumbed the 1.5" pipe coming out of the ground near the pump to 2" then connected to the pump via 2" piping. The return pipe is also 1.5". All above ground piping around the DE filter is 2". My vacuum line to the side is only 1" which I think is why my vacuum has never worked right.

I think I've settled on getting a Sand filter for its ease of operation and maintenance, but really just want the best system with as little maintenance and cost as possible. I travel a lot and have a hard time keeping up on the pool.

I'm interested in the Hayward - Pro Series Top-Mount - Sand Filter - 3.7 Sq. Ft. - 2” Vari-Flo - Model S270T2. This is a 2" setup so I just have to re-plumb between the pump-filter and filter return. Since I calculate the pool at close to 18000 gallons, I figured that the 27" model would be more than enough for the size of pool. I can get the 1 1/2" model cheaper, if it would be sufficient to just have the pump be 2" and everything else be 1 1/2"

The biggest question I have is will my 1HP pump be able to backwash this sand filter properly with my setup, would the 1 1/2" filter be better in this regard? Also does this filter type sound good for my pool?

I have never had too much trouble getting the pool started every year (I let it go during the winter), but this year we have a cloudiness issue that will not go away. We have been fighting it with chemicals and working with the local pool supply shop but after hundreds in chems we are still not able the swim in it. I am considering having the liner guys come out and drain the pool so I can refill and get some use this year.

Please advise, I need to get a new filter ASAP.

Thanks

[PoolDoc]

You're focused on the filter, and while it's a good thing to have a good filter, it's not very likely that -- with a working DE filter in place -- your cloudiness is a filter problem. Possible. But not likely.

What is likely is that you have an unresolved chemical problem.

I can't find any info on the Jacuzzi Magnum, so I am not able to determine flow rates, etc. I'll push this out to the general forum. Maybe someone else knows.

[Halfdone]

Thanks for the reply PoolDoc. I just ordered the test kit you suggested in another post using your Amazon link this morning. hopefully I'll be better prepared to treat my chemistry going forward.

The cloudy water is certainly from a chemical imbalance, even though we have been working with the pool place. The levels were looking pretty good and we were starting to tackle a high phosphate problem. My wife didn't realize we have been using cellulose DE alternate material in the filter and the treatment the pool shop gave us caused the filter media to solidify and the filter over-pressurized and blew apart. Alos this last winter a glass patio table got blown over and shattered, most of the glass ended up in the pool shallow end. With the cloudy water I can't get in and see the glass to vacuum it out. I did manage to clean off the steps but I don't want to do anything to the bottom without visibility. I'm afraid the glass will damage the vinyl liner if I roll or scrap it around.

Really I need advice on the filter and whether or not the sand is a economical and ease of use way to go. The filter system I mentioned comes in a 1 1/2" or 2" version and am not sure if I should get the 2" since my pump is 2" but all of the lines to and from the pool are 1 1/2". I would rather go with the smaller pipe size due to the savings in cost but am willing to spend the extra cash if suggested to.

Now I need to get a new filter and through research and lots of reading I think Sand is the way to go.

Here is a link I found for the pump I have. It looks like I should be able to achieve 74gpm, but I think this is assuming 2" pipe. I don't know how to figure how many gpm with the 1 1/2" pipe.

http://www.poolcenter.com/pumps_jacuzzi_magnum.htm

Thanks again for any advice, I will certainly be on this forum more now that I found it.

[Watermom]

Halfdone --- I moved your next post into a new thread since it is about chemistry. You can find it here:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?13138-Halfdones-s-pool