sta rite system 3 cardtidge as good as de?

[coryinsocal]

i guess i should give some background and maybe you guys can help make a recomendation...

my pool is a 26' kidney, about 15,000g or so. problem is, it's really old. it looks nice, but the plumbing is not ideal. there is only one 1.25" suction line running from the skimmer and the bottom drain is full of gravel (below the cover). i'm not sure how it got there, but i know it's not functioning so the deep end doesn't get alot of attention. when i run the filter alot, it keeps up with the pool pretty well, but after a party or any thing less than an 8 hour cycle, it can turn bad and gets out of control easily if i don't really stay on it. it has a 3/4 horse pump that runs good, but looks as old at the pool and has a vintage sta-rite spin DE 25 sq ft. another problem i have is there is no sewage line near the filter, so for the last umpty years, the pool guy has been backwashing (well, who knows where). i'd like to not have to backwash, but i'm concerned getting away from DE and not being able to keep up with the pool as it's tough enough already.

i've been going back and forth between the pentair fns plus 36 sq ft and the starite mod cart in 300 sq ft....

[waterbear]

i guess i should give some background and maybe you guys can help make a recomendation...

my pool is a 26' kidney, about 15,000g or so. problem is, it's really old. it looks nice, but the plumbing is not ideal. there is only one 1.25" suction line running from the skimmer and the bottom drain is full of gravel (below the cover). i'm not sure how it got there, but i know it's not functioning so the deep end doesn't get alot of attention. when i run the filter alot, it keeps up with the pool pretty well, but after a party or any thing less than an 8 hour cycle, it can turn bad and gets out of control easily if i don't really stay on it. it has a 3/4 horse pump that runs good, but looks as old at the pool and has a vintage sta-rite spin DE 25 sq ft. another problem i have is there is no sewage line near the filter, so for the last umpty years, the pool guy has been backwashing (well, who knows where). i'd like to not have to backwash, but i'm concerned getting away from DE and not being able to keep up with the pool as it's tough enough already.

i've been going back and forth between the pentair fns plus 36 sq ft and the starite mod cart in 300 sq ft....

Spin DE filters really can't be compared to modern vertical grid DE filters. If you really like the polished water that DE gives you might want to look into a more modern one! I think you might be very happy with one! You can always add a separation tank to it to collect the DE that is backwashed out so you only have the backwash water to deal with.

[Rangeball]

i've been going back and forth between the pentair fns plus 36 sq ft and the starite mod cart in 300 sq ft....

I've had the pentair FNS+ 36 for several years now. No mechanical issues at all.

So far this year, I've not had to backwash or clean once. It's amazing what happens when you stay ahead of your pool I am at 13 now, but I'm pretty sure it's due to cotton wood trees with no skimmer sock.

My filter pressure runs at 10 psi at start up. It's recommended to backwash when it goes up 10, so for mine at 20 psi. What I do after I've backwashed is add de slowly back to it until the pressure again hit's 10 psi. This way I can avoid a complete teardown unless absolutely necessary.

[coryinsocal]

I've had the pentair FNS+ 36 for several years now. No mechanical issues at all.

So far this year, I've not had to backwash or clean once. It's amazing what happens when you stay ahead of your pool I am at 13 now, but I'm pretty sure it's due to cotton wood trees with no skimmer sock.

My filter pressure runs at 10 psi at start up. It's recommended to backwash when it goes up 10, so for mine at 20 psi. What I do after I've backwashed is add de slowly back to it until the pressure again hit's 10 psi. This way I can avoid a complete teardown unless absolutely necessary.

yeah, i've pretty much decided on this one over the last couple days. i've found it shipped with a multiport for under $500, so i think i'll order soon.
do you mind my asking how big you pool is and how long you run your pump?

[Rangeball]

22,000 gallons, I run my pump 24/7. Not needed, I think my water cycles in 6 hours, it's just something I've always done, and since my water stays clean, I'm afraid to mess with it by running less.