How To Clean Cartridge?

[ThinkPad]

I read a couple of threads about soaking the cartridge in a TSP or powdered automatic dish detergent solution. I'm interested in doing this, but would like to know more about this.

Has anyone done it, or knows how to do it. I'm more interested in a product that can be picked up at most Walmart stores. I'm probably going to go with the dish detergent, but what is the main ingredient(s) I should be looking for? Can someone provide a link?

Thanks!

 

[Smykowski]

Can't help with the process, cause I have a sand filter, but if you have a big box hardware store near you, they should have TSP near the paint section. It's pretty cheap.

 

[pwrstrk]

If your using TSP the mix ratio is 1 cup to 5 gallons of water. Let it soak. Overnight would be good. ?

 

[bobodaclown]

Hello,
I've done it (using TSP). It works well. Follow the directions on this post for cleaning cartridge filters:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/4224-Re-How-to-clean-a-cartridge-filter

 

[ThinkPad]

I appreciate the comments!

How about the dish detergent, anybody know anything about the chemical I should be looking for?

 

[bobodaclown]

EDIT: <del> Use dawn it breaks the oils down. Any quality dish detergent will be fine. It's going to be rinsed out anyways.<del>
It's best to a non-sudsing detergent. Dishwasher detergent as recommended.

 

[ThinkPad]

I read that dish detergent for dishwashers is supposed to be used. Is dish soap also good?

 

[bobodaclown]

The directions from this site posted earlier and from Unicel (http://www.unicelfilters.com/retailers/ci_chlorine_users.asp) state to use dishwasher detergent your best bet is to follow those directions.

You shouldn't use liquid dish soap because it may cause sudsing after it's reinstalled. I guess I dodged the bullet.

Some other reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate

 

[ThinkPad]

Thank you for the information; I will probably go with the TSP.

 

[poolbee]

My builder said to use 3 cups of powder dishwasher detergent like Cascade in a plastic trash can. Soak at least 3 hours and rinse well. I have done this occasionally but usually just use a high pressure hose attachment made for filter cleaning.

 

[carveitup]

A friend who works for a hot tub distributor suggested using phosphate free tsp (yes, it exists) for the cartridge filters in my hot tub. Seemed to work and would be more environmentally friendly.

 

[ThinkPad]

I saw that phosphate free TSP on Lowe's website. Phosphates feed algae, but with proper chlorine and pH levels, algae won't grow. I guess it's better than putting algae food in your pool.