Pool pump showing a high psi

I recently moved into a house with a pool and everything was working fine. However, now the pool cleaner moves VERY slow and the pump psi is around 30. I have a Haywrd system with a cartridge. I have pulled out the cartridge and cleaned. When I clean I very thoroughly the system drops to about 18-20 psi but that only lasts about a day then it goes back to 30psi and moving across the pool bottom slowly. What can I do to get this system running properly? I have taken the cartridge to pinch a penny and they said that the cartridges fine and doesn't need to be replaced.

Is the pool cleaner a pressure side or suction side cleaner? If it's a suction side then we look at the cartridge itself. The simple fact that when you clean the cartridge the pressure drops seems to indicate you're trapping something. Just to check, try running the system without the cartridge and get a reference point pressure reading. My guess is it will be way below the 18 psi you mention after a cleaning. Just looking at a filter with the eye isn't going to show if you have really fine stuff packed in and this isn't coming out with a normal cleaning. You'll eventually have t get a new cartridge so you may just do tht now. If that doesn't solve the problem just put it on the shelf for future use. Are you battling an algae problem or some kind of a dirt problem? I've never dealt with cartridges so maybe someone else has other ideas.
Al

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Originally Posted by Wakkoguy

When I clean I very thoroughly the system drops to about 18-20 psi but that only lasts about a day then it goes back to 30psi and moving across the pool bottom slowly. What can I do to get this system running properly?

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If your pool is clear, and your cartridge filter is going from 20 psi to 30 psi in 1 day, you DO need a new cartridge, unless you've put something weird into your pool water. If you will tell me your EXACT filter model and make, I'll try to find the correct Unicel or Filbur cartridge for you -- you only want an OEM cartridge (possibly MADE by Unicel) or one of those two brands. The worst that will happen is that you end up with an extra cartridge, which is not a bad thing.

But, I'm betting you'll end up needing 2 cartridges, 1 to replace your existing cartridge, and 1 to soak -- so you CAN clean properly in the future.

My guess would be an algae bloom.

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Originally Posted by PoolDoc

If your pool is clear, and your cartridge filter is going from 20 psi to 30 psi in 1 day, you DO need a new cartridge, unless you've put something weird into your pool water. If you will tell me your EXACT filter model and make, I'll try to find the correct Unicel or Filbur cartridge for you -- you only want an OEM cartridge (possibly MADE by Unicel) or one of those two brands. The worst that will happen is that you end up with an extra cartridge, which is not a bad thing.

But, I'm betting you'll end up needing 2 cartridges, 1 to replace your existing cartridge, and 1 to soak -- so you CAN clean properly in the future.

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How do you properly clean the filter?
The water is clear (I shock it every other week). Do you think I need to purchase a new one? how much are they? Best place to get them? How often do you have to replace them?

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Originally Posted by Poconos

Is the pool cleaner a pressure side or suction side cleaner?

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Not sure - has a cleaner that sucks water to the system and runs it through a filter

Clean them by:

Spraying them off -- NO pressure washer; no scrubbing.
Soak them in 4 gal water + 1lb TSP + 1/8 cup of bleach each time you change cartridges.
When swapping, remove from tank; drain, rinse, drain again, rinse, drain again, rinse a 3rd time; install

Rotate them regularly, with one cartridge always soaking. NEVER acid clean a cartridge unnecessarily; NEVER acid clean without using detergent (TSP) first.

(I think it was Waterbear who wrote the above. I copied it and pasted it from some notes.)

Also --- sounds like you have a suction side cleaner. Does it attach to the skimmer in some way?

I just got the new filter put in and the pressure is down from 30 to 10! Works great, thanks for the advice.

New cartridge sticky (not yet checked by mods & team for errors):
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?18044