New guy question Waterway vs Hayward

[mstng]

1hp superpump with bearing problems and sand filter 15 years old. Local store sells waterway systems and I am thinking of changing it all for cartridge filter. 20,000 gallon pool. Appreciate everyone's opinion.

[CarlD]

There are those who love their carts---and those who hate it! Cleaning the cartridge is like picking crabs. If you know the tricks it's pretty easy. If you don't it will drive you insane.

15 years out of a SuperPump before it needed bearings is pretty good! Has a sand filter been a problem for you?

[mas985]

For your size pool, I wouldn't get anything smaller than 325 sq-ft so you only need to clean it once a year.

[mstng]

Appreciate the responses. The pool is in Florida where It is screened in. No large debris but very fine particles like pollen and dirt that do not filter well. Rain over the screen also adds fine particles. I had a 1HP 2 speed hayward but the lower speed didn't do the job. The pump is 3 years old but I failed to run it when we had a recent freeze, thuis bearing squeal. I have to vacuum to waste often and waste a bit of water doing that. Curious if a cartridge will be easier and if the waterway brand has a decent reputation. I can get a 2hp dual speed and the filter for around 500.00 and may be better than buying a new pump and changing sand. The sand filter casing is also 15 years old. I know this may be a stretch and may think otherwise eventually but i am not turned off by the difficulty in cleaning the filter. Thanks for the help

[CarlD]

You might try some cheaper fixes first. One of the GREAT ways to control pollen is a simple skimmer sock. Frequently, in the spring, it will build up so thickly it looks like yellow spackle--you know, dry wall compound! The sock can be rinsed out and reused for up to a month and are pretty cheap. Gets dust, too, before it gets to your filter. They cost, roughly 4-6 for $10--that's good for 4-6 months!

You can also add a little DE to your filter, just enough (through the skimmer) to make the pressure increase by one pound...but in a sand filter, not a cart.

Why are you changing sand? Unless your sand is gummed up or you have to replace a lateral, you should never need to replace your sand. No reason a working sand filter can't run for 20 or 30 years.

[mstng]

Wow... I appreciate that insight. Didn't realize that the sand shouldn't be an issue. I do indeed know the spring pollen and it does build up thick. Never heard of a skimmer sock. Pardon my ignorance but what is DE?

I still have to invest another 300 plus for a pump. and with pump and filter at 500 it sounds tempting. But I am now thinking about another hayward, DE and a sock

Thanks again