Sand filter over filter cartridge

[CarlD]

I will add that I'm going into my 9th season with the same sand and have no intention of changing.
I will disagree slightly with Watermom: People who learn how to use DE filters don't seem to have much trouble with them very often, and usually from poor maintenance. My dad ran a DE for many years with no problem. The same is even more true of cartridge filters. Those who master them, love them beyond all others. Those who don't master cartridge filters (which seem to be a quite high %) can't stand the "troublesome things". It all has to do with figuring out the best and easiest way to clean the cartridge.

Saying that, I use sand, occasionally the DE trick, and have no intention of changing. It IS perhaps the easiest filter to learn to use and to maintain.

[gwrace1]

My above ground pool is roughly about 26000 gallons. I have both a sand filter and a 150 sq foot cartridge filter. I run a poolskim and zeolite on the sand filter in place of sand. I love the sand filters ability for easy maintenance and back washing capability. It's a salt water pool so I have an aquarite hooked up to the sand filter on a timer. I like to have a filter running 24x7 and this is what I use the cartridge filter for. I utilize two speed pool pumps so I can let the cartridge filter run on low speed without having to exhaust the hours on the aquarite cell. Pool stays crystal clear. Cartridge filter maintenance is a little more work in that the cartridge has to be removed, hosed down, soaked in cleaner (dishwasher detergent) rinsed and placed back into service. Cartridge replacement times will vary but the filter also picks up smaller debris.

[chem geek]

I have an oversized 4-cart cartridge filter with 340 square feet for my 16,000 gallon pool. There is no question that it's a pain in the behind to disassemble and clean, but I only need to do it once a year. That's the tradeoff for a cartridge filter -- you either get an oversized one that's a pain to clean but you do it infrequently (this is what I do), or you get a smaller one you need to clean more frequently but is easier to disassemble (this is what waterbear does). It still won't be as easy as backwashing a sand filter, however. On the other hand, with the cartridge filter, you don't get a lot of wasted water which is why it was required where I live since we are sometimes under water restrictions.

Richard

[waterbear]

I That's the tradeoff for a cartridge filter -- you either get an oversized one that's a pain to clean but you do it infrequently (this is what I do), or you get a smaller one you need to clean more frequently but is easier to disassemble (this is what waterbear does).

Richard

Actually, My single cart filter is WAY oversized for my pool and I can go a year (pool is run year round) before the filter pressure rises enought to warrant cleaning. I have a small pool/spa combo (Total gallons under 7k) so my 150 sq. in filter is way oversized! However, I do clean my cart 3 or 4 times a year...just my OCD, probably from caring for commercial pools where we had to clean the carts and recharge the DE filters almost daily!

If you go with a cart you do want to oversize and have a backup cart or set of carts. It makes cleaning them much easier. Cleaning a cart is not hard but it can be a bit messy. However, the filtration from a cart is better than sand and almost as good as DE and there is much less water waste (and no DE to dispose of!). In some locations carts are the only type of filter allowed or they will allow DE with a separation tank, which adds to the initial expense.