Crack on the front of my 32" sand filter

[Clueless]

Went to the backyard today and discovered about a four inch crack on the front of my Waterways sand filter's body and a small stream of water shooting out the front... lovely. My pool guy is recommending a cartridge system for the replacement but I've had no issues with the sand filter at all. So...

1. Is a cracked sand filter like this, common? May be a good idea to go to a cartridge system then?

2. I see the cartridge systems do a better job cleaning but what's the real maintenance cost here? D they eat $200 filters every year? My sand filter never asked me for a dime during its lifetime (didn't live long enough to need the sand replaced).

3. What would you do if this happened to you?

Thanks all!

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

If you are used to sand and satisfied with the clarity it provides I would stick with sand. Carts offer slightly better clarity but are definitely more maintenance and can be much more of a pain to clear a green pool than a sand filter is.

 

[Clueless]

If you are used to sand and satisfied with the clarity it provides I would stick with sand. Carts offer slightly better clarity but are definitely more maintenance and can be much more of a pain to clear a green pool than a sand filter is.

That's exactly what I was thinking. I guess the only unknown then is cost. Are cartridge systems more expensive than sand?

 

[duraleigh]

Stay with what you know and already like. Switching to a cart, regardless of cost, will have you second guessing your decision. Likewise, someone who is used to DE or a Cart and likes it should never change.

Sometimes, the type of filter suits a particular pool a little better and it sounds like you have a good fit.

Disregard the improvement in water quality....it's very difficult to see most of the time.

It is NOT common for a sand filter to split....it's really quite rare.