Sand Filter Spec Question

[simsjim]

Hello All

I am thinking of replacing my ancient Sandmaster filter with a slightly larger new filter.

I am looking at Pentair filters (to match my planned upgrade to a Pentair Superflo 1 HP pump) Does anyone have any opinions about the two Top Mount filter lines offered by Pentair? They offer Tagleus and Sand Dollar.

I am looking at either the Taglius TA 60 or the Sand Dollar SD 60.

some stats: area/ diameter/ sand#/ Flow Rate GPM/ TO@8 hrs
Tagleus : 3.1 / 24.5 / 325 / 60 / 28000
Sand Dollar : 2.3 / 22 / 200 / 60 / 28800

So, I guess I wonder, what are the differences going to give in performance, etc. Also, although I am familiar with top mount, is there a compelling reason to switch to side-mount?

Some pool stats
IG Vinyl 12K gallon
1.5" plumbing
pool only, no spa

Any advice would be welcomed!

Thanks,
J

[thepoolman1]

The TA60D is a more robust filter than the San Dollar. I have installed both and prefer the TA60D. Pentair's web-site states that the Sand Dollar has a maximum operating pressure rating of 35psi. The TA60D's rating is 50 psi, as is the case of virtually every other filter made.

The side-mount filters are a step up from the top-mount design. They usually have 2" plumbing internally and larger laterals. The tanks are usually thicker, also.

For your pool I would recommend the TA60D. Excellent filter. If you want to use the Sand Dollar, get the SD80.

[simsjim]

Pentair's web-site states that the Sand Dollar has a maximum operating pressure rating of 35psi. The TA60D's rating is 50 psi, as is the case of virtually every other filter made.

poolman1 - Thanks for pointing that out. I would be more inclined to go with a higher max PSI as well. I am renewing an old (probably patchwork) job that was done before I owned the pool. It's an old Hayward 3/4 HP Superpump feeding an 18" Sandmaster 100# Top Mount sand filter. This configuration keeps the water somewhat clear - if there is NO batherload, but once a few people jump in, cloudy water within an hour. So essentailly its a useless configuration.

I have 1.5 plumbing for my pool, would the sidemount with 2" plumbing be cause for concern? I would think I could just attach my 1.5" plumbing to the mulit-port by using some bushings, but just wanted to be sure.

Thanks!

[CanuckPool]

I have the SD80 on my 14,000 Gal IG pool mated with a pentair 1.5 Hp superflo. So far so good. It hangs around 16 PSI all summer. its a big filter that could have gone the entire summer season with maybe 1 backwash... now granted we dont have any tree/leaf problem and minimum to light medium bather load, but so far we are happy.

[ScottS]

Until a few weeks ago I would have recommended the Sand Dollar system because I'm running the SD60 on my 24' AG. Two weeks ago the tank sprung a leak on the bottom in one of the seams. Pentair told me I was out of luck because they only have a one year warranty.

I am aggravated with Pentair since there was not one reason for that tank to crack. I live in Southern Louisiana where the pool is running all year so the tank didn't freeze.
It might have split due to the fact that they match it with a 1.5HP pump which I had because I didn't know any better 2 years back.

My tank problem is probably an isolated issue but I wish the company would at least have some decency to stand behind their product. The tank is clearly defective.

Oh well I'm replacing the whole unit and going with a 2 speed 1hp pump so I should be better off anyway.

Good luck with the upgrade. BTW is the Pentair pump a 2 speed pump? If not, and since you are going to be getting another, it would probably be a wise choice. Many around here praise the 2 speed pumps.

[CanuckPool]

Our PB says that because we have a pentair heater/pump/filter we are covered for 3 years as oppose to 1.

[ScottS]

Our PB says that because we have a pentair heater/pump/filter we are covered for 3 years as oppose to 1.

This "may be" the case and I was under the impression that my tank had a warranty longer than 1 year. However Pentair states that they honored 10 year warranty’s up until about 3 years ago on their tanks.
They moved to a 1 year warranty since most other brands on the market only had a 1 year warranty and according to the representative they were being burned pretty badly on the 10 year warranty deal. That statement alone made me leery in the quality of their products.

You may want to check on the validity of the PB’s statement. Maybe they (PB) warrant it for you and not Pentair but that seems backwards to me.

[waste]

Originally Posted by CanuckPool View Post
Our PB says that because we have a pentair heater/pump/filter we are covered for 3 years as oppose to 1.

You may want to check on the validity of the PB’s statement. Maybe they (PB) warrant it for you and not Pentair but that seems backwards to me.

Scott, I don't doubt the validity of CP's statement. The PB has something that you don't - economy of scale (well, not quite, but it's the same idea). You are 1 person going at it as an individual - the PB isn't in the same situation.

The way it works for the company for which I work:
We buy all our pool componants and equipment from one distributer (from the pannels for the liner pools we do, the system equipment [pumps, filters, heaters, SWCGs, controls] , to the pvc fittings, replacement parts, et al.). We build 40+ pools/ year and do rehab on another 1 -2 dozen, we are 'supposedly' their biggest buyer (though I'm sure we only account for a small % of their sales. They want to keep us happy. Our supplier is only one of a nationwide company's outlets, and I have no idea how many there are, but they buy and distribute thousands of pumps, filters etc. If we send a filter back to them, they will replace it for free (reguardless as to whether the manufacturers warantee has expired). {of course this assumes that it is a manufacturing defect and not the result of the filter having been abused or improperly cared for} Just like we hold some financial 'sway' with our distibutor, the distributor's company holds an equal, if not larger, 'sway' with the manufacturers.
-Bottom line: the manufacturers can afford to 'piss-off' one person, but will 'cowtow' to a company who 'moves'/ sells thousands of their product and may drop that line if the mfr doesn't accept a few 'out of warantee' items for free replacement.

Proffessor Waste is done - sorry for the lecture

[CanuckPool]

I am pretty sure you are right waste. Because the PB installs X amount of pools a season he can get special 'deals' from the manufacturer, especially when it comes to installing all of their product at one time... I even have the pentair intellichlor 20 too. Which is different than buying one piece at a time as an individual.

[ScottS]

Waste - thanks for the explanation, it makes perfect sense.

I called the poolstore that I bought the system from and explained the situation to them. I was hoping they'd have some pull with Pentair sort of as you explained Waste but it didn't get me anywhere either. They are actually closing down and didn't seem very willing to want to do anything about it.

CanuckPool - I stand corrected, sorry.

Simsjim - sorry if this strayed off topic a bit, I'm hoping some of it is useful though.