DE Filter on its last leg. Need Advice!

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msugar7275

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Oct 31, 2012
10
I need to replace my leaky 72 sq ft American Products stainless steel filter. I have a 40,000 gal pool (maybe a little bigger) with a salt system. I am thinking that this might also be a good time to replace my single speed 2hp whisper flo with a variable speed or two speed pump to save on electricity. The local pool store said Hayward is the only manufacturer that makes a 72 sq ft filter and this size is being phased out. He recommended that I just replace it with a 60 sq ft unit. Would a 60 sq ft filter work as well as a 72. I am worried if I downsize the flow rate wont be as good. Would this also effect the time it takes to heat the pool? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
 
Read hydraulics 101 in the pumping station section. The second post in that thread suggests that a 40000 gallon pool needs approximately a 56 square foot DE filter. 60 should be fine


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Thanks. I read the post and I am still confused. The sticker on my current filter says it can handle 216 gpm flow rate, if I downsize most 60 sq say they can handle 120 gpm. I'm not sure what my current pump puts out but it's way under 216 and probably above 120. I am assuming the pump will be less efficient with a smaller filter. Will this draw more energy? My electric bill last month was over 800.00. Keep in mind I live in So Cal and it has been unseasonable warm so I had to run my pool pump 10 hrs plus all the other household electronics.
 
Actually, we typically recommend a DE filter that is double the size in that table. (Double for cartridge as well, but the same as the chart for sand).

I have a 60 and your pool is double the size of mine .... of course it depends on the amount of debris you see and what kind of cleaner you use. If you do not use a suction cleaner you may be able to go a little smaller.

Have you considered a large sand or cartridge filter?

Also what makes you think you have flow rates that high? I think 50-70 is much more normal. Although if you have s large pump, large plumbing and low head loss, I suppose the higher rates are possible.

Filters work better at the lower flee rates anyway. Do you have a need for such high flow?

Posted from my Droid with Tapatalk ... sorry if my response is short ;)
 
I was just reading the flow rate that is posted on the filter. I can't believe the sticker is still on and readable considering it is 23 years old. I really know very little about this and I don't want to make a mistake with my purchase since my house seems to be sucking the money out of my bank faster then I make it.

I live on top of a hill in the Santa Monica mountains and it can seem like I am in a wind tunnel sometimes so debris in the pool is always a problem. I also run a poolvernuegn pool sweeper (which works great) attached to this pump. I have three other old 2hp pumps for jacuzzi jets, and two waterfalls) which I rarely use. I haven't considered a cartridge or sand filter because I'm kinda of a germ o phobe and read DE filters clean better. Probably just need therapy for that but that's another story.
 
What size pipes do you have? That same thread on hydraulics has a chart showing typical flow rates for various pipe sizes. To get a flow rate approaching the maximum for that filter you would need a rather extreme plumping system.

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msugar7275 said:
I haven't considered a cartridge or sand filter because I'm kinda of a germ o phobe and read DE filters clean better. Probably just need therapy for that but that's another story.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand the logic here. The filter doesn't kill germs, it just filters out their "dead carcasses." It's the chlorine that does the job of killing. I do agree with the sentiment that DE does a good job of filtering the water, but I've read several posts here giving high praise for modern cartridge filters. The reduced maintenance on these kind of filters does hold some appeal.
 
I was joking with the germ thing, I just heard DE filters best. I did see a filter out there that is a hybrid DE/cartridge and comes in an 80 and 100 sq ft size but I heard the cartridges need to be replaced every few years and they are expensive. I'm not sure the piping size but the equipment I have always seems to work without a hassle. My initial fear is if I go down in size to a 60 sq ft. I will A) be cleaning it it more B) effect the flow rate that my heater and sweeper won't work as well and C) if I upgrade to a higher Hp variable pump it could be harmful to the small size new filter. The pump I am looking at is 3hp intelliflo and when we heat the pool or jacuzzi I'm told it operates at full speed. I will look it up but my current 2hp whisper flo probably moves the water a lot slower then the old filter is rated for. Thank you both for responding. I really appreciate the help.
 
Based on your electric bill (not sure how much could really be due to the pump), you may be running it much more than actually required.

Am I correct in reading that you have 4 pumps? (might be easier if you post up a picture of your equipment pad).

For general circulation and filtration, you really do not need very high flow rate ... so the flow rate capability of the filter should not matter. Now this assumes that your plumbing is done such that the additional pumps for the jets and waterfalls are NOT run through the filter. You also do not have to run the VS pump on high speed for heating assuming you have a separate pump for the jets ... and generally the advantage of the VS pumps is to be able to run at lower speeds to save $ on electricity.

I do not think we have a very clear idea of your actual setup to be able to offer relevant suggestions.
 

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The three other pumps I have (jacuzzi and two waterfalls) are independent from the heater, filter and pool sweep. They are on a totally separate system and are located in a separate part of my yard. Actually one of the waterfall pumps is being repaired today and I am going to replace the jacuzzi jet pump with my Whisper flo. Everything seemed to break at the same time.
 
Pentair makes a filter called the Quad DE and it's a hybrid DE/Cartridge filter. If that is the one you're talking about it comes in a 100 sq foot model and it's a really great filter. It's the one I recommend over any other actually.
 
Christian -- The guy at my local pool store said that the filter elements wear out quickly and are very expensive. He also said that unit can not be backwashed. Im not sure if he knows what he is talking about. How is the Hayward 72sq DE filter?
 
I just want to point out that you will likely find just as many people that would recommend Hayward products. Seems to be a very regional thing ... lots of Hayward in AZ ...

Sticking with any of the major brands is a good idea.

Remember, a 72 sqft DE is still smaller than we would typically recommend for a pool your size (which is on the large side, so adequate filters might be hard to find). Rough idea would be:
600 sqft cartridge
7.5 sqft sand
112 sqft DE

Again smaller is fine if you had low debris and did NOT use a suction cleaner.
 
There is a Sta-Rite System 3 Modular D.E. filter available in 72 sq foot size. Part number is S7MD72. Like any cartridge or grid the life is heavily influenced by how well you maintain it. I just read a note from a guy who has been using 2 Quad filters for 4 years and has never had to change the grids on either one and loves them. I really haven't received any negative feedback of any substance on them. Mostly just people who don't like the idea because it's something new and unfamiliar. If anyone has any solid complaints please let me know. I like to get as much info and as many opinions as I can.
 
Oh also I'm not saying Hayward doesn't make a good product but I do feel like their quality is not what it once was. And the main reason I dislike them is that their customer support is not on par with their major competitors. This is just my opinion.
 
He needs fairly high flow to get through those 40k gallons in a rational timeframe. Not crazy high but 111 gpm to make an 8 hour turnover... Which would be possible if using a single 2.5 inch pipe on suction and return plumbing, Two 2" or three 1.5" would also work.
(I think)


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