Fiber Clear in cartridge filter

[dhanger]

Wow, I knew the filter was oversized, but didn't know how much. Your ratio is 47 gallons/sq. ft., whereas mine is 24/sq. ft., and you're saying yours is oversized still! Any rule of thumb on cartridge filters for sizing? Anyway, I got a mailer from Leslie's for a discount on 3# of Fiber Clear, so maybe I'll further the experiment and let you know.

[chem geek]

Many filter manufacturers for residential pools go by a filtering capacity at maximum flow rate for one turnover in 6 hours. For my filter, the max. flow rate is 127 GPM so that works out to 127*60*6 = 45,720 gallons as their maximum pool size to support, but that's not particularly realistic. The filter area for a cartridge filter just means how long you can go between filter cleanings. With more filter area, you can go longer. I'm able to clean mine just once a year, but I have a pool cover that keeps the pool pretty clean most of the time. If I didn't have the cover, I'd probably have to clean more often. My filter is probably oversized about double, but again there's no exact magic number here. Clearly, yours is even more oversized. That is not a bad thing -- you probably don't have to clean your filter very often.

The other extreme is getting a small cartridge filter with one cartridge that you would need to clean more frequently, possibly monthly. Some people find that easier to do. There is no question that cleaning my 4-cartridge system is a PITA, but only having to do it once a year isn't so bad.

[dhanger]

Well, the experiment is over for now. Over the course of a couple days I put in a 3# bag, plus the first 9 oz. bag, and still no change in pressure. I have to conclude that the filter is way, way, way too big, and I'm not going to shell out so much money just for that perceived 'sparkle' and 'polish'. I've been using the pool for 5 years now without it, and I've somehow managed to enjoy it anyway. Thanks for your input chemgeek.