Help with filter selection for in-ground 35,000 gallon pool

I've told the story on here before, so this will be short.

~35,000 gallon in-ground pool (sort of kidney shaped)
Currently have a 1HP pump going to a very old D.E. filter that has been converted to a sand filter somehow.
1.5" plumbing from a single pool skimmer
1.5" plumbing to 4-6 returns (can't remember off the top of my head)
RayPak RP-2100 heater
Michigan weather

I'm looking to replace everything, but hopefully not all at once. ;) I really like the idea of the Pentair Intelliflo pumps, I'd like to hear about any experiences you've had with them.

Right now, I was replacing the sand in my converted D.E. filter and snapped the center pipe off the bottom. I've heard many of these just sit in there, but this one was actually glue to/part of the bottom.

Never the less, I really was looking to get a better/newer filter anyway. I've asked on these, and other boards and called around to various pool stores in the area to ask what brand people prefer and why (Hayward vs. Pentair primarily) and it looks like Pentair has come out on top. However, Pentair has like 6 different types of D.E. filters.

I also asked about over-sizing the pool filter for my pool, and have gotten answers anywhere from "Buy the biggest you can afford" to "Don't do it or you're filter won't backwash properly".

In the process, I was also told I need to purchase a multi-port valve for the new filter. I started looking around and see that most (Pentair especially) companies make several different models that break down into either Multi-Port or High-Flow.

Even though my plumbing is only 2" coming from/going to the pool, I planned to pipe everything for 2" using an adapter where the pipes come out of the ground, if that's not a problem...


So here are the questions, in no particular order.

1. What TYPE of Pentair D.E. filter? FNS+? Quad D.E.?

2. What SIZE Pentair D.E. filter? 36? 48? 60?

3. Multi-port vs. High-Flow? What's the difference? What's better?

#1 - Don't know the different DE filters, so you'll need an answer from someone else.
#2 - As large as you can get - if you plan to clean manually. One matched to your pump, if you plan to backwash (doesn't always work well, with DE, though.)
#3 - If you have a SINGLE suction line from a SINGLE skimmer, feeding your pump, your maximum flow is going to be about 40 GPM, which is too low for your pool, but it's the most you can do with a single 1.5" line without problems. So, for you, the difference between the standard and Hi-flo model is unimportant. The HiFlo model matters for flows over 70GPM.

And, you didn't ask, but get the SMALLEST 2 speed pool pump you can get. I think somebody has a 1HP 2 speed. More pump than that will just cause problems with your small pipes.

Ben



Charlotte PVC tech manual:
http://www.charlottepipe.com/Documen...ech_Manual.pdf

Hayward DEFINITELY makes a 1hp 2spd--that's what I have. I think Pentair MAY make a 3/4 hp 2spd. I know someone does, but definitely not Hayward.

Carl