Finally time to retire my 15+ year old Doughboy DE filter. Think I am going with sand because I'm tired of the headaches of my current DE setup. I have been having issues with old filter grids leaking DE into the pool. Replacements are expensive. So I am hesitant to buy a new DE filter due to the expense of replacing elements when the time comes.
Therefore I think I have settled on sand. My questions are:
1) I know that buying the largest sand filter possible will reduce maintenance by extending backwash intervals. Do I also need to buy a larger pump to go with the larger filter? The way I see it, there is more media in the filter, but the pump is sized based on the size of the pool not the size of the filter. Is this correct? I plan to upgrade pumps when this one dies. Currently I have a 1HP pump.
2) I am looking at Hayward filters as opposed to Pentair filters. Can anyone comment on one over the other? The reason I am leaning Hayward is because I seem to see wider parts availability locally. Are Pentair parts easily had over the 'net? Is the design of one better than another? The Haywards also come with 7 position multi-port. Don't know about the Pentairs.
3) Each fall, I have been annually breaking down my current DE set-up, cleaning and reassembling the filter and storing it in my shed. Sand filters don't work that way. The Model I am looking at has a "winter" setting on the multiport. Is this a reliable way to winterize a filter? I live in a climate where it does freeze over the winter and I am concerned about leaving the filter out and parts cracking because there is still water in it.
I am specifically looking at the Hayward 18 or 21 " (150 lb and 200lb) sand filters and would consider the comparable Pentair's if I can get parts easily.
Thanks for any and all advice.
Therefore I think I have settled on sand. My questions are:
1) I know that buying the largest sand filter possible will reduce maintenance by extending backwash intervals. Do I also need to buy a larger pump to go with the larger filter? The way I see it, there is more media in the filter, but the pump is sized based on the size of the pool not the size of the filter. Is this correct? I plan to upgrade pumps when this one dies. Currently I have a 1HP pump.
2) I am looking at Hayward filters as opposed to Pentair filters. Can anyone comment on one over the other? The reason I am leaning Hayward is because I seem to see wider parts availability locally. Are Pentair parts easily had over the 'net? Is the design of one better than another? The Haywards also come with 7 position multi-port. Don't know about the Pentairs.
3) Each fall, I have been annually breaking down my current DE set-up, cleaning and reassembling the filter and storing it in my shed. Sand filters don't work that way. The Model I am looking at has a "winter" setting on the multiport. Is this a reliable way to winterize a filter? I live in a climate where it does freeze over the winter and I am concerned about leaving the filter out and parts cracking because there is still water in it.
I am specifically looking at the Hayward 18 or 21 " (150 lb and 200lb) sand filters and would consider the comparable Pentair's if I can get parts easily.
Thanks for any and all advice.
