Ryan,
Welcome to the forum. The advice you've gotten so far is good. I just want to comment on your statement about cartridge filters being the easiest to maintain. In my opinion...a definite MAYBE. I have only ever had sand. I believe cartridges would have the same problems you're experiencing now with plugging during an algae bloom, and, they are expensive to replace and a pain to clean. The opinions about which type of filter is best has been discussed to great extents on these forums over the years. Unless you are a total clean freak, sand may be the best way to go. Cheap to maintain as there are no replacement parts unless damaged, and just backwash, rinse, then switch to filter and go. Cartridges and DE do filter smaller particles but a few of us have been adding a little DE to our sand filters to get the best of both worlds and it seems to work. So, bottom line, if you are considering changing out the equipment, do a lot of research here, post with questions, then make a very educated decision.
Al