High PSI When Running Filter - Need Sanity Check on Possible Issue

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M

MYSN

Member
May 14, 2022
6
Sacramento, CA
Hi TFP!

My pool has been recently experiencing high PSI when the pump is running. My pump runs at about 10 PSI on a clean filter, but it's been about 20 even after cleaning the filter cartridges.

After doing some research, I tried taking out the bigger cartridge, and the pressure dropped to its normal operating PSI of about 10 PSI.

Is it safe to say the cartridge needs to be replaced, or should I try something else before going that route? The cartridges are quite expensive for my filter (STA Rite System 3).

Below is what my filter looks like when its 'clean'. We got the house in 2019 and have never replaced the filter.

Thanks all!


The PSI after removing the big filter.jpeg
 
M,

If the cartridges show 20 PSI right after they have been cleaned, then I would get new cartridges..

If the cartridges show 10 PSI right after they have been cleaned, and over then next hour are so, slowly increase to 20 PSI, then that would most like be algae..

Cartridges should last 5 to 10 years, but no telling how long before you bought the house that the cartridges were installed.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Texas Splash said:
Feel free to post a full set of water test results. Also confirm which test kit you are using. That makes all the difference.
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Thank you I will do it this week and post results. I have the TFP test kit.
JamesW said:
Does the gauge go to zero when the pump is off?
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Yes, it does. Gauge seems to be working.

Jimrahbe said:
M,

If the cartridges show 20 PSI right after they have been cleaned, then I would get new cartridges..

If the cartridges show 10 PSI right after they have been cleaned, and over then next hour are so, slowly increase to 20 PSI, then that would most like be algae..

Cartridges should last 5 to 10 years, but no telling how long before you bought the house that the cartridges were installed.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Thank you. The gauge goes directly to 20 PSI after being cleaned. Generally, when cleaning in the past, the picture above would be considered pretty clean for these cartridges. The brown marks have been there since we got the house, which was in 2019, so these cartridges are at least 4 years old.
 
Your test numbers look quite good. Nothing there by itself that would indicate algae, so perhaps that pic you posted is just an old, tired cartridge that needs to be replaced. Interesting though if it's only 4 years old. My carts are gong on 10. They are slightly discolored with some broken bands, but not that gray and flimsy. :scratch:
 
With nothing to lose on the old carts, fill a garbage can with water and add a gallon of MA and soak them for 24 hours. I gave my old filters a 50:1 MA bath every fall as I was instructed to and they came out cleaner than new. They floated a little so I flipped them about 12 hours in, and gave them a good rinse after. I dumped the bucket right in the grass and gave it a mild soak too, also without issue. You might end up with a back up pair of carts.
 

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duraleigh said:
..it'll almost be free money
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And ALOT of free money. For anyone who doesn't know, those filters are $830 to $1100 online. :shock:

Getting the old ones back in service would extend the life of the new ones. It's a gamble with 'good filters' but at this point it can only help.
 
Newdude said:
With nothing to lose on the old carts, fill a garbage can with water and add a gallon of MA and soak them for 24 hours. I gave my old filters a 50:1 MA bath every fall as I was instructed to and they came out cleaner than new. They floated a little so I flipped them about 12 hours in, and gave them a good rinse after. I dumped the bucket right in the grass and gave it a mild soak too, also without issue. You might end up with a back up pair of carts.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I will do this and it would great to just store them. Yes these were expensive ($499)!
 
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