Time for new filter cartridges?

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G

grunky_peep

Gold Supporter
May 26, 2020
154
Sacramento, CA
Pool Size
20000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I've got a Sta-Rite System 3 S7M, and my 2 cartridges are about 3 years old. I'm not sure if it's just correlation with us getting a black lab that LOVES to swim last year, but I'm literally hosing off the cartridges every 2 weeks this spring/summer if we let him swim. They're filled with brown water and clumps of dog fur. I did the Cascade overnight soak for both of them, and am trying to determine if they're toast, or my dog is just clogging them up super quickly and I just have to deal with it. I started using skimmer socks for when we let him swim, and it'll catch some, but it doesn't seem to be making a significant difference in how much fur gets into the egg.

I did get lazy last year and start pressure washing them to help speed things up. I used a 25-degree nozzle and made sure to stand 3-ish feet away. I never noticed any tears in the fabric, so I assumed everything was just fine. I recently switched back to just using a regular hose nozzle just to make sure though.

Another thing is that if I have people swim for a couple hours, the water gets pretty cloudy, even with the pump running at 30 or 35GPM. It takes about 24 hours of the pump being on before the water is crystal clear again. All my chem levels are in line with Pool Math recommendations (CYA 80, FC 10-11, pH 7.6, TA 70, CH 350, Salt 3800). I'm just not sure why it gets so cloudy so quickly, and if it might be an indication of the carts being toast. I'm really not looking forward to dropping $500+ on a new set, but it's looking like that's my next step...
 
Jimrahbe said:
gp,

You need to do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test or OCLT..

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Cloudy water is not a filter issue it is usually a chemical issue.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Well shoot. Went to bed with 9.5 FC / 0.5 CC, woke up with 8.5 FC / 0.5 CC. Time for a SLAM?

Dang, it’s going to be over 100’ on Saturday and was definitely a pool/beer weekend. Better get this party started…

CYA 60, so SLAM level of 24 FC. Time for a trip to Home Depot.
 
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mknauss said:
Likely will find Walmart has cheaper liquid chlorine.
Click to expand...
Dang, I just got back from HD. $16 for 2 gallons of 10%. I remember this used to be like $8 a couple years ago.

Looks like Walmart has this for $10.88. Still looks like 10%, but have never used Pool Essentials brand before. Decent brand?
 
grunky_peep said:
Dang, I just got back from HD. $16 for 2 gallons of 10%. I remember this used to be like $8 a couple years ago.

Looks like Walmart has this for $10.88. Still looks like 10%, but have never used Pool Essentials brand before. Decent brand?
Click to expand...
Yes. Typically better as Walmart stores it inside the store. HD is outside, and likely the liquid chlorine has degraded. Be sure to read the dates on the box/bottle.
 
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mknauss said:
Yes. Typically better as Walmart stores it inside the store. HD is outside, and likely the liquid chlorine has degraded. Be sure to read the dates on the box/bottle.
Click to expand...
Good to know, thanks!


For the record, here’s what the pool looks like right now. Not cloudy, but not crystal clear like it usually is before people swim in it. We had a graduation party on Saturday and had about 25 kids in it, and then we had about 8 people swimming in it Sunday, and couldn't see the bottom drain Sunday night. So this is probably 36 hours from the last swim, with the pump running 24/7 since.

IMG_9044.jpeg


IMG_9043.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Thought about returning my HD chlorine and getting the Walmart ones to save a few bucks.
I've put 5.1 gallons in today alone. It's 90' here and the sun (and maybe algae??) is cooking it off quickly (SWCG turned off), so maybe I'll need to keep it...

7am
FC 8.5
CC 0.5
Added 2.8gal as per Pool Math

11am
FC 17.5
CC 1.0
Added 0.8gal

4pm
FC 15.5
CC 0.5
Added 1.5gal
 
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Arg, I messed up the OCLT tonight. Tested my FC/CC at midnight and instinctively dumped some chlorine in at midnight without thinking about it after a couple beers.

4pm
FC 18.5
CC 0.5
Added 1gal chlorine

7pm
FC 27
CC 0.5
The pool is shaded by the house at this point, so it’s safe to assume I have some algae/whatever chlorine loss between now and….

12am
FC 22.5
CC 0.5
CYA 60
Added 35oz chlorine
 
Sprayed the filter carts
Soaked them in detergent for 5 hours
Sprayed them again
Pump went from 517W @ 30 GPM to 359W

At 6pm
FC 17 - loss of 7ppm today with SWCG off. It’s 103’ out today 😮‍💨. Will definitely have to turn it back on tomorrow.
CC 0

IMG_9075.jpeg
IMG_9084.jpeg
IMG_9076.jpeg
 
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