Filter Grids, DME

[Pharmer]

I have a Pentair Nautilus FNS DE 60 sq ft filter. I have had it serviced by a local company for the past 6 years but the filtration has become worse over time. The pressure has gone from a high of 26-27 to 30-32. Several times, a grid or two has been replaced during service. Well, the pool is an algae magnet and becoming worse. I decided to forgo any more filter service from the company and to do it myself. I took my unit apart this morning and removed the grids. Many had broken "ribs". A few had tears. The ones with the fewest broken ribs and tears were the original Pentair grids.

I would like to know which brand of grids besides Pentair is of good quality? Where is the most cost effective place to purchase grids (my local store quoted me $280 for a set that he admitted were not as good as Pentair)?

[Watermom]

I can't help you with your question about the grids, but someone here should be able to, though.

Once you get that problem taken care of, come on back with a set of water testing numbers taken with a drops-based kit and we can help you with the pool chemistry. No pool should be a magnet for algae. If you don't have a good test kit, pick one up while you are getting the filter problem worked out so you'll have it when you are ready to start taking care of the water. The one we recommend is the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C. More about it here: test kit info page (www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?14994)

Welcome to the Pool Forum, by the way! Glad to have you!

[waste]

Welcome to the Forum!

If memory serves, Unicell is a good replacement grid. $280 is about right for a full 8 grid replacement price. Take a look at the top manifold as well - if it goes, debris will reenter the pool no matter the condition of the grids - also if you have a multiport, make sure it's not the cause of your issue!

[PoolDoc]

The ones with the fewest broken ribs and tears were the original Pentair grids.

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I would like to know which brand of grids besides Pentair is of good quality?

Aftermarket plastic -- grids, gaskets, etc. -- has NEVER been "of good quality" in my experience. The one exception has been O-rings, which I buy from an industrial O-ring house, and get them cheaper and better. But, that's not a practical option for individual pool owners.

So . . . get the OEM if you can.

Failing that, Unicel has a pretty good reputation -- this appears to be the correct set (check carefully!) on Amazon:
Unicel FS-2005 Replacement Filter Grid for American, Hayward, Pac-fab 7 Full + 1 Partial Set @ Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0014GB44K/poolbooks)

(Waste & I were posting at the same time -- it's interesting that he recommended the Unicel -- and also that when I posted the link the price was considerably less than what he mentioned.)

You can call these people:
http://www.a1poolparts.com/-strse-658/Pentair-FNS-Plus-Filter/Detail.bok
but, ask whether they are selling Pentair OEM -- if not, stick with the Unicel. If they are, they have a better price.

And of course, you can search around on the Internet. There are two problems however. Ordering parts, you need EITHER a complete set (like Amazon) OR to order from a supply house where the people are knowledgeable. I've personally ordered from A1 (they had some stuff cheaper than I could buy it 'wholesale'!), and the people I spoke with were knowledgeable. But there are LOT of Internet sites that are sales only, and seem to farm out the actual order fulfillment to other companies.

The other problem is, a lot of sites play games with names. For example, on A1's site, "Pentair replacement parts" does NOT necessarily mean "Pentair replacement parts" made by Pentair!. So be careful. Even some of the "Unicel" cartridges sold on Amazon are actually Pleatco (not desirable), and you have to read VERY carefully to work that out.

Here's the manual, I believe:
http://www.pentairpool.com/pdfs/FNSPlusOM.pdf
but make sure this is your filter:
http://www.pentairpool.com/pool-owner/products/filters-de-fns-plus-filters-61.htm

[Pharmer]

Waste & pooldoc, you guys rock! Just the advice I've been searching for! Many thanks!