I have been using a Hayward EC-50 DE filter and a Hayward 3/4 HP pump on a 20,000 gal in-ground pool for 35 years. This system was installed by the original pool construction company. It has worked very well and has given me absolutely no problems. The filter housing has now developed a small crack, which produces a relatively minor leak (so far). While researching possible solutions, I noticed on a number of websites that this system is recommended for above-ground pools, not in-ground pools. I could just replace the filter housing for around $300 and continue on with this system. Or I could replace the entire system with something larger that is recommended for in-ground pools. Obviously the cost would be a good bit higher for the new, larger system, but it might be worth the cost instead of "patching" the old system and waiting for something else to fail. Any thoughts out there on this?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,384
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome to the forum!
I would replace the entire filter system. It has more than exceeded its life cycle.
You might consider a cartridge filter. Go big if you do, less cleaning.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.
I would replace the entire filter system. It has more than exceeded its life cycle.
You might consider a cartridge filter. Go big if you do, less cleaning.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.
A new 2 speed or variable speed pump is not going to cost much more than just the housing. And check your power supplier's website. Often they offer rebates to upgrade to a more energy efficient pump. That'll reduce the cost some.
Thanks for the reply. I am on the fence about it, but I am leaning toward the total system replacement. I will have to look into cartridge filters, but I have been using DE for 35 years now and I am not sure I would know how to behave without the bumping routine. I will definitely look into it, though.
I hadn't considered that. It will considered in the overall mix. Thanks.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
You could go out to the pool on the day you scheduled to do your backwash and DE recharge... realize you don't have to and take a swim instead.
Personally I was happy to get out from under the DE dance when I switched to a cartridge. You could phase in replacement of all the equipment.. do the filter first and then when the pump dies go for a VS one. Have fun "considering"There is another factor in my pump & filter replacement consideration. This is a VERY OLD in-ground pool. It only has one 1-1/2" suction line from the pool skimmer to the pump. This one skimmer and suction line is the only path for the water to get from the pool to the pump. My current 3/4 hp pump has been working very well. Will I run into any problems if I upgrade to a 1 hp pump? How about 1.5 hp? I am concerned about the pump trying to pull too much water through the small suction line.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
To answer that question, and there are forum gurus that can answer it for you, we would need to more information about your setup. Can you fill out your signature with your equipment information tell us more about your current layout.. maybe even provide some pics of your equipment pad. My gut feeling is you would be fine. You will likely not be running full out with the newer VS pumps anyway. Most people run them longer and slower than a typical single speed and its cheaper too (too run that is)
djdonte
Well-known member
- Mar 25, 2019
- 540
- Pool Size
- 11300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-30 Plus
Replace with a cartridge system for sure. I have socks on both of my skimmers, and a leaf catcher on my cleaner and my pressure hardly never goes up. I just clean the filters once a quarter to be safe.
It is inevitable that I will eventually replace my 3/4 hp Max-Flo pump and relatively small EC-50C DE filter. I want to take the thought process in the replacement decision one step at a time. I am stuck with a single skimmer and 1.5" plumbing between the skimmer and the pump. The first step is to determine if this plumbing between the skimmer and the pump will be adequate to handle the water flow if the pump is upgraded to 1 hp (or maybe even 1.5 hp), using the assumption that the replacement pump will be a standard single speed pump and and not a VS version. Once I am clear on my water flow limitations, I will then investigate if a move to a VS pump would be the better way to go. The decision on what type of filter to use (DE or cartridge) will also be dealt with at a later step in my research process.
- Nov 7, 2018
- 1,049
- Pool Size
- 14000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
+1 on the cartridge filter. Ours is oversized for the pool, but I am happy about that. We put in new cartridges when we bought the house (about 18 months ago) and our pressure hasn't really increased at all. I pulled it apart last weekend to clean it, but there really wasn't too much to clean. The skimmer socks probably do help a bit, though.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
This might help simplify your decision process... There is no point in replacing with a single speed pump. Federal regs are going to dictate that all pull pumps be VS due to the lower energy footprint. That code requirement is already in place in California, I don't know if it is in PA yet.
@JamesW, @ajw22 can you throw your insight into his pump question?
@JamesW, @ajw22 can you throw your insight into his pump question?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,481
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
What do you expect an "upgrade" to a higher HP pump to accomplish?
Your water flow is limited by your single skimmer and 1.5" plumbing. No more HP is going to change that.
Your water flow is limited by your single skimmer and 1.5" plumbing. No more HP is going to change that.