Evan,
Since I'm not a cartridge filter owner, I have to yield to your superior experience. I've just read all the horror stories.

I've said it before and I'll probably have to say it again: Those owners who figure out the secrets of how to maintain their cartridge filters swear by them. But other owners generally swear AT them. Or, as I just found out, shell out mucho dinero to the PB/Pool Services to clean them for them.

Carl