Replacing cartridge with sand

[Watermom]

The advantage of sand over cartridge is the ease of cleaning the filter. For a sand filter, you simply turn a handle on the top of the filter a couple of times. The whole process takes about 2 minutes tops. Simple, simple. Personally, I will never have anything but a sand filter.

[kelemvor]

I was under the impression that cartridge filters smaller particles that sand does not. Am I mistaken?

Cleaning my cartridge probably takes 10 or 15 instead of 2.

[dansdad]

my cartridges come from my pool store and I believe they are unicel

[BigDave]

If you have quality carts that are in good shape and you're still unhappy with water quality you could try using polyquat 60% to see if it helps filter some of the smaller bits.

An oversized sand filter will filter better than a smaller one (as long as it can be backwashed). With sand you can also polish the water with a little DE to catch finer bits than the sand can by itself.

Some parts of California have water use issues. Is water use limited where you live? Sand filters require occasional backwash - dumping water which must be replaced.

[dansdad]

I'm not sure of the water quality Dave but I do have a fresh bottle of 60% polyquat here. I will give it a try. Thanks one Dave to another

[BigDave]

Earlier you said that the "pool isn't all that clean" is the reason you are considering filter change. I thought that meant water quality (to me: little tiny stuff in water that makes it look dull). Did you mean something else by clean?
No thanks needed (but appreciated), I like to help.

[Watermom]

No thanks needed (but appreciated), I like to help.

And, Dave, we appreciate all the help you do give! Thanks!