Right now I'm using a sta-rite cartridge filter that works pretty well. As I've read numerous times, DE filters filter out much finer particles. I haven't simply switched because I've also read that DE clogs super quickly under heavy filter load.. which I get very frequently here in FL with no screen enclosure (last night's rainstorm for example). After a storm I usually have to clean my filter daily for a few days to get things back into shape.

When things are fairly clean, I never get it quite to the point where I can't see particles in front of the pool light at night. So I had this idea.. clever? foolish? You be the judge (and help me decide)!

I see tons of used DE filters for sale on ebay/craigslist etc for next to nothing.. frequently well under 50 bucks (or a little more if the seller is reporting "good grids"). I was thinking of plumbing that in with a jandy valve so I could switch between the two. There's plenty of room on my pad, and the plumbing seems like it would probably be pretty simple. This way I could use the cartridge under heavy load and try using DE to get a little more of the fine particles on occasion.

Think this could work and be worthwhile, or am I just going to create a headache for myself?

Also, I've got a 2hp single speed pump. As plumbed, the output goes straight into the filter. Too much for a DE do you suppose?

...and just to be sure.. I think the consensus I've read in other posts is that the "DE trick" used in sand filters is not a good idea with cartridge filters, correct?