What filter to choose...cartridge or DE

[Ready2swim]

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...

[cruzmisl]

Well you're half way there. You still need to decide on a brand and model

Keep us posted on what you decide.

[CarlD]

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...

Nah...Evan and I are just passionate about ARGUING!!!!

Remember: ALL 3 FILTERS can give you EXCELLENT performance if you size them to your pump and pool and maintain them properly. There are ways to tweak them (like DE to a sand filter) but which you choose is whatever floats your boat (or your pool raft!). But you must size and maintain them properly or you will be miserable.

[Tredge]

Just to add somthing else to argue about

I use a sand filter with http://www.zeobrite.com/ instead of sand.

They claim filtering down to 3 microns.

Now....I wonder how great it would be if I added DE to my zeobrite.....

Where can I buy DE

[waterbear]

Just to add somthing else to argue about

I use a sand filter with http://www.zeobrite.com/ instead of sand.

They claim filtering down to 3 microns.

Now....I wonder how great it would be if I added DE to my zeobrite.....

Where can I buy DE

Hate to burst your bubble but water will take the path of least resistance...which will be AROUND the grains of zeolite and not through it! It might filter marginally better than sand but not anywhere near DE....not even sure if it will filter as well as a cart.

[waterbear]

Man...you guys are passionate about your filters !!
If you don't want to start a controversy three things should never be discussed, religion, politics, and the best type of filter for a swimming pool!
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...

All three types of filters will give you clear water. DE will definately give the most polished water but it is the most work. Sand is the easiest by far and the water quality from it is excellent. Carts fall in between in water quality and maintenance.

As a suggestion, why don't you download and look through the instruction manuals for several makes of each type of filter so you can get an idea of what is involved in normal maintenance and complete filter breakdown and cleaning. This might give you a better perspective on what is involved with each type and then you can decide what will work best for you.

[duraleigh]

All three types of filters will give you clear water.

Waterbear,
give yourself a gold star! Common sense dictates that if they didn't (give clear water) they would soon be gone from the market. I was hoping someone would put some punctuation on the end of this never-ending subject (It's been going on for at least twenty years) and I hope you just did.