Sand filter over filter cartridge

[chem geek]

I have an oversized 4-cart cartridge filter with 340 square feet for my 16,000 gallon pool. There is no question that it's a pain in the behind to disassemble and clean, but I only need to do it once a year. That's the tradeoff for a cartridge filter -- you either get an oversized one that's a pain to clean but you do it infrequently (this is what I do), or you get a smaller one you need to clean more frequently but is easier to disassemble (this is what waterbear does). It still won't be as easy as backwashing a sand filter, however. On the other hand, with the cartridge filter, you don't get a lot of wasted water which is why it was required where I live since we are sometimes under water restrictions.

Richard

[waterbear]

I That's the tradeoff for a cartridge filter -- you either get an oversized one that's a pain to clean but you do it infrequently (this is what I do), or you get a smaller one you need to clean more frequently but is easier to disassemble (this is what waterbear does).

Richard

Actually, My single cart filter is WAY oversized for my pool and I can go a year (pool is run year round) before the filter pressure rises enought to warrant cleaning. I have a small pool/spa combo (Total gallons under 7k) so my 150 sq. in filter is way oversized! However, I do clean my cart 3 or 4 times a year...just my OCD, probably from caring for commercial pools where we had to clean the carts and recharge the DE filters almost daily!

If you go with a cart you do want to oversize and have a backup cart or set of carts. It makes cleaning them much easier. Cleaning a cart is not hard but it can be a bit messy. However, the filtration from a cart is better than sand and almost as good as DE and there is much less water waste (and no DE to dispose of!). In some locations carts are the only type of filter allowed or they will allow DE with a separation tank, which adds to the initial expense.