Tired of problems with cartridge filter

Hi all. I have a 30 foot round AG pool with a StaRite cartridge filter. I have always had problems keeping the cartridge clean and I replaced it about 4 weeks ago. I had an algae breakout 2 weeks ago so the cartridge had alot of work to do. The pool has cleared up, water is nice and clear and test results are good. Problem I have is that I have to take the cartridge out everyday and hose it down....or my pressure gets to high and it doesn't let water thru. I do have some pine needles on the floor of the pool since my property is surrounded by pine trees. I typically have had to replace the cartridge once a year at $180.00 per. Pool Store sold me a spray on cleaner which I tried and still got only 24 hours out of the cartridge. Have also tried dish liquid overnight soaking. Any suggestions ? I am considering switching to a sand filter, can someone recommend one....? This is a 20,000 gallon pool.

When we had our pool installed in 2004, we had a choice of sand, cartridge, or DE. We didn't chose cartridge because of the cost of replacements and the maintenance required. DE filters particles finer than sand, so we chose DE. We've been very happy with our DE filter. There is some work to break it down and clean it at the end of the season, but during the season (early May to mid Oct. here) I usually only have to backwash it 1 time.

Hope this helps.

If you decide to go with a sand filter, make sure that you oversize it for your pump, to get the best work out of it. I have a Hayward S244 on my 25K gallon pool, with a 1 HP pump, and that combo works very well for me....

Janet

You're not using Baquacil are you?