[HELP] Clean filter cartridge but no water flows through

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nickjedl

nickjedl

New member
Apr 22, 2020
4
Belgium
Hello!

I have had an Intex Pure Spa Bubble Therapy 4p (inflatable jacuzzi) for 2 years now, and I've had this problem for the entirety of it's lifetime but now it's gotten worse.
So basically, sometimes the cartridge filters don't allow for any water flow at all after being used for only a day. I just opened a pack of new filters and even those have the problem.
They look entirely clean!

This is my filter cleaning process:
  1. Pressurized clean with tap water
  2. Soak them in a solution of BSI Filter Cleaner 5L and water (50/50 mix) for 2 days
  3. Rinse with tap water
  4. Let it dry for 2 days
  5. Put it in the freezer for 1 day
  6. Let it get back to room temperature
  7. It goes back into the jacuzzi
I use genuine Intex Spa Filtercartridge Type S1's.

This is the operating environment:
  • Use every couple of days (3-4 times a week)
  • Water heated to 40°C
  • Constant chlorine treatment with small tablets
  • PH treatment after every 2 uses
  • Outside temperature is min 9°C max 28°C
To top it all of, all 3 in circulation had a nice bath of water and an de-calcification agent 3 days ago and all of them are still experiencing the issue.

Any help or hints towards the right direction would be greatly appreciated!
 

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Welcome to TFP.

How often are you changing the water in your spa?

What ingredients are in the chlorine tablets you are using?

What test kit do you use to test your water chemistry?

Filters clogging are due to algae in the water.

Compare your water chemistry management with what is described here - Hot Tub Basics - Further Reading
 
ajw22 said:
How often are you changing the water in your spa?
Click to expand...
Not often, probably once every 3 to 5 months, 3 weeks ago we'd barely go in once a week. I changed it today though.
ajw22 said:
What ingredients are in the chlorine tablets you are using?
Click to expand...
I use Interline Chlorine Tablets Long 90 2.5 kg (small), they're 100% TCCA (if that is translated correctly)
ajw22 said:
What test kit do you use to test your water chemistry?
Click to expand...
I use one of those test kits with 2 tubes where you add 6 drops of a solution and you get a color
ajw22 said:
Filters clogging are due to algae in the water.
Click to expand...
The water is crystal clear and the chlorine levels are always normal (sometimes a bit too high)
 
With new water and a new filter you should not have the problem for a while.

My guess if the tablets you are using are Trichlor that add chlorine, CYA, and acid. The CYA accumulates in the water. When the CYA gets too high your water cannot get sufficient chlorine and algae begins growing. Algae can be in clear looking water. And the algae is clogging your filter.

You can get a test kit to test CYA and stop using tablets when your CYA gets to 30. We recommend chlorinating with liquid chlorine which does not add CYA.

Or you can replace your water more frequently. Learn what period you can go before your filter starts clogging up.

I suggest you read ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry. You can only say if your chlorine level is low or high when you know your CYA. We use the FC/CYA Levels as a guide.
 
First off, I do not know a great deal about inflatable spas. But I can tell you from what I have seen on this and another forum I frequent that this is a common issue. I suspect it is a combination of an undersized filter and a small pump. But that is a guess, having never seen one. I have also not read any thread on the topic that has been resolved. I think it's just the nature of the beast, as they say. If you do find a solution please post it, I know of quite a few others who would appreciate that info.
Can you post a pic of that filter in your hand for size reference?
 
ajw22 said:
My guess if the tablets you are using are Trichlor that add chlorine, CYA, and acid. The CYA accumulates in the water. When the CYA gets too high your water cannot get sufficient chlorine and algae begins growing. Algae can be in clear looking water. And the algae is clogging your filter.
You can get a test kit to test CYA and stop using tablets when your CYA gets to 30. We recommend chlorinating with liquid chlorine which does not add CYA.
Click to expand...
I will definitely start testing the CYA and this sounds like what could be it. It must have been 5 months since today's water change so it wouldn't surprise me if that had accumulated too high!
Thank you very much
 
RDspaguy said:
I suspect it is a combination of an undersized filter and a small pump.
Click to expand...
That is indeed a common cause of problems, but we change the filter almost every 3 or 4 days now and that has resolved filter clogging because of dirt. My case here has a clogged filter but without any dirt stuck to them.
Here is an apple for scale
 

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