What filter to choose...cartridge or DE

[waterbear]

I'm not arguing this but more trying to understand this. You say the sand gets better with age? I thought the sand would get beat down into small particals over time and get spat into the pool?

This is another neverending debate....whether sand needs to be replaced or not....I will refrain from my feelings on this since they do not agree with Ben's or several of the sand filter users on the forum!

Dirty filters do filter smaller size particles than clean filters but then the backpressure created becomes a limitng factor....Once again DE is the most limited by dirt, sand the least, and carts fall in between! However, when sand gets too dirty it can channel and that reduces it's ability to filter by a great amount!


If you oversize your sand filter and are happy with the performance, this isn't necessary. I would disagree here and say do NOT do this unless you have a problem. Even more, the dirtier the sand is over the years, the finer it will filter--it gets BETTER with age!

Well, I guess this has opened another Pandora's Box!

[jereece]

DE filter owner here.... man, now I'm all worried about this silacosis thing.

So... what cartridge filter would you recommend for a 35,000 gallon pool (one pool guy told me it's 40,000) with a 1 hp. pump?

Thanks,

Ilan

http://www.intheswim.com/Pool-Filter...e-Pool-Filter/

[waterbear]

http://www.intheswim.com/Pool-Filter...e-Pool-Filter/

Multi cartridge filters such as this one (and the Pentair Clean and Clear Plus) are a chore to clean...you have 4 cartridges, not one! they take longer to break down and assemble also. If you need this large a filter I would go with sand or DE before one of these monsters....just my 2 cents!

[CarlD]

Well, I guess this has opened another Pandora's Box!

That's what makes debate FUN!!!!

And how much longer does Poconos have to go before HIS sand gets too dirty and starts channelling??? Nine years and counting!

I'm only on year 4.

[waterbear]

That's what makes debate FUN!!!!

And how much longer does Poconos have to go before HIS sand gets too dirty and starts channelling??? Nine years and counting!

I'm only on year 4.

Bet a sixpack that if you clean the sand your water will be even clearer! Anyway, all that DE you both dump in has probably filled the channels!

[CarlD]

Bet a sixpack that if you clean the sand your water will be even clearer! Anyway, all that DE you both dump in has probably filled the channels!

LOL! Is THAT why the storm sewer I backwash to looks like it's limed????

That's a hard-to-decide bet...I use DE in the filter, a skimmer sock, and JUST got my Dolphin back which polishes the water on it's own...
Assuming the bozos actually fixed the thing... "we don't see nuthin' wrong...."

[bryjen]

I have D.E. The pool was finished in the middle of last summer so we only had it half a season. When closing pool for winter it was broke down and cleaned off> Didnt seem bad. Opened our pool at the end april and I just backwashed for the first last week, the pressure had only gone up from 20 (normal) to 22. I backwashed anyway adding the D.E is very easy. When my sam light is on at night the water is very clear.

[waterbear]

If anyone wants to know how good a cart can filter just look at my avitar! Or even better, the pics I posted in the New Pool gallery
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=234
Like they say "one picture is worth......"

[iardon]

Can you post bigger pics of your pool? Your avatar's kinda small. ;-)

Edit... noticed the link added.

If anyone wants to know how good a cart can filter just look at my avitar! Or even better, the pics I posted in the New Pool gallery
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=234
Like they say "one picture is worth......"

[bradjo]

One thing I didn't see mentioned but I could have missed it make sure as part of the comparison you check the cost of replacement cartridges, sand or zeolite and D.E. so you know that information as well.
hth,
Jo