Desperate NEWBIE needs help on Purchasing a new filter

[rnjng]

O.K. I pretty much have desided to buy a new filter. I was looking at 2 different types. The hayward star clear c500(cartridge)and the hayward sand s166t and s180t. I have a AG round 24'x 4' deep. I believe that the volume is just under 14000 gallons. (If somebody could verify that I would appreciate it.) Any how, I have a magnetec 1hp motor and was wondering if I need to change the motor also, or can i still use thie one I have. I don't know the specs on this motor, but it is 1hp. TKS!!!!

[CarlD]

Definitely go with the bigger filter whether it's cart or sand--I'm biased toward sand, because that's what I have.

What you want is a filter that has a greater capacity for flow than the pump can put out. Otherwise you will get reduced performance and a damaged filter. 1hp, even up-rated should be FINE for your pool, if not too big.
Since I'm a sand filter guy, I'd got with the T180, or make the jump to the T210--it will easily handle your pump's capacity. I have a 1hp 2spd Hayward Superpump--full-rated, and the T210 is fine with it on full speed. On low speed, it filters even better.

Plus there's the under-$10 upgrade to sand filters---a 10 lb box of DE powder (used in DE filters). 1/3 to 1 cup of DE into the sand makes it REALLY polish the water. And that 10# box lasts and lasts. I've used less than 5# since last August.

All you do is add 1/3 cup of DE into the skimmer, wait 20 minutes and see if your pressure rises. Repeat until pressure goes up 1 lb. Usually, 1/3 to 1 full cup will be all you need--and if you overdo it, you just backwash!

[rnjng]

So you are a sand filter guy...I was leaning towards the sand, but am leary on the valve clamp. Does your filter leak at all??? How good is the valve clamp, and how long should they last??? the columbia that was here I had issues with the old clamp and a brand new one. The brand new clamp snapped in two. TKS!!!

[The Raddish]

Personally, I use filter recommended on this page of www.poolsolutions.com. Specifically, this paragraph:

A combination that will work fairly well for almost ALL above ground pools -- regardless of pool size -- is a 1/2 HP Hayward "Super" pump (mfg. model #SP2600X5), a 22" Hayward "PRO" sand filter (mfg. model #SP220T), a Hayward 1.5" "Vari-Flo" multiport valve (mfg. model #SP071113), and a cord set (#SPX1550WA [25 ft long] or #SPX1250 [6 ft long]). 1999 list price on this combo is $764.00. Any pool dealer in the US or Canada can sell this combination to you. You'll also need hoses, connectors and . . . 250 pounds of filter sand. Make absolutely certain that the sand comes in bags that are factory labeled as filter sand, and make sure that the pump and filter have exactly the model numbers shown above. This combination can be used either as original equipment, or to replace what you've got now.

[CarlD]

So you are a sand filter guy...I was leaning towards the sand, but am leary on the valve clamp. Does your filter leak at all??? How good is the valve clamp, and how long should they last??? the columbia that was here I had issues with the old clamp and a brand new one. The brand new clamp snapped in two. TKS!!!

The valve? The 6-way valve? Never leaked yet. I have a small leak at the pump, but that has nothing to do with the filter. I have a quick-connect I need to swap out after the season--the leak is too small to worry about.

[drumr]

My pool came with the Hayward Missle Pro cartridge filter with 1.5 hp pump and it did a very good job, but I would spend about 45 minutes every other week washing the gunk out of the filter. I got a poolco 200lb sand filter with a 3/4 hp pump 2 years ago and have been much happier with it. I put 1/3 cup of DE (a big THANKS to whoever did come up with that idea!!) in it and it gets the water as clean as the cartridge did. I only spend a few minutes backwashing every other week and I am not covered in bugs, gunk, and dirt like I always was when I sprayed off the cartridge.

The pool store said you will save pool water by not having to backwash a filter cartridge, which is true, but I hated washing that cartridge out and I may have saved pool water but I still used alot of city water cleaning the cartridge out and alot of the gunk would end up all over me..

I have not have any leaking problems out of my sand filter valve so far, it has performed flawlessly.

JD

[rnjng]

Thanks for all the info, I'm taking the plunge on a sand filter. Look for me in the spring start-up cause I'll need help getting the green out of the pool!!!

[rnjng]

Is a 1.5hp pump to big for a 250lb filter???

[drumr]

If you can get it in a 2 speed it will be fine.

[rnjng]

The pump is 1 speed. pool store said 1hp to small for filter. Should I opt for just the filter tank, and continue to use my original pump? My pump is a 1hp pump. Would that be o.k. with a 250lb sandfilter?