Question about filter soaking...

[Henrys514]

After a nasty battle with algae, the pool is finally clear. Unfortunately, we had just bought a new cartridge filter before the algae battle. I want to do a filter soak tomorrow evening to really cleanse everything out, and I purchased a bottle of "Filter Renew" from a pool store. That was before I did research on here...I now realize I could have used dishwasher detergent and acid (lesson learned).

My problem is...the bottle has no ingredient list on the back. It says "Add 1 quart to 5 gal of water and soak filter for 16-24 hours. Will remove "oil, grease, scale, and mineral deposits." Does that mean I have one of the combo cleaners?

From what I read on here, it's bad to use acid first if you've got mainly an algae problem...that it could make things worse for my filter. It certainly sounds like it's a combo cleaner...but I guess I just want reassurance.

Next time, I'll save the guesswork (and money) and make my own filter soak.

[waterbear]

See if you can download the MSDS for it. That should tell you what is in it. Most of the ones I have seen are acid based and are not the best choice unless a degreaser is also included. Most of the replacement cartridge manufacturers like Unicel and Pleatco just recommend TSP or automatic dishwasher detergent and to only acid wash after if there is scale present on the filter. If it is algae and it is green then a bleach solution is effective also.

[Henrys514]

I did a search for the MSDS and didn't come up with anything. I did find a phone number for the manufacturer, so I'll call them and ask. I don't know why they don't put ingredients on their chemicals...that really bothers me. Aren't they required to?

The filter isn't actually green...the algae is gone now thank goodness. I just want to soak it to get everything out of there that the hose can't get. Especially since this was a brand new filter before we had the algae problem. I'd like to extend its life a little.

Thanks for your response...I'll let you know what the chemical company says.

[dep78737]

I find spraying the filters with plain water from a hose sprayer works for me. Seems more logical to simply dislodge the gunk than soak and I've never had a buildup that needs detergent/acid to remove. I do it twice a year even though pressure never goes up but a couple of pounds and it takes about an hour to disassemble, thoroughly clean and reassemble. Pressure washers are supposed to be too powerful and could damage the filter material.

[Henrys514]

According to the company's MSDS, the Filter Renew contains acids and a nonionic surfactant/detergent. It sounds like this will work for me to dissolve of some of that junk on the filter.

They were very nice about sending me the MSDS, but it still bothers me that they didn't list the ingredients on the back...

[waterbear]

should work fine. the degreaser/cleaner in it is probably either TSP or one of it's non phosphate substitutes. Basicly the same thing in automatic dishwasher detergent like Cascade or Electrosol powder.

[Henrys514]

I have the filter soaking now. I dumped the bottle in the water and topped off the water with the hose...it got nice and bubbly, just like detergent.

Thanks for your reassurance. I'm attempting to "take control" of the pool, and I'm still learning. This forum is great!