Man...you guys are passionate about your filters !! I knew I would get some sort of detailed answer. Thanks for all of the information, I am still a little torn as to what filter to buy, I dont mind maintenance, but if given the chance to chose of course I would want to do less than I have to...however I would rather do more maintenance than sacrifice water clarity. I want to be able to SEE the bottom of the pool without seeing any floaties or crap in the water...if DE is the only way to accomplish that then I geuss I have made a decision...