Is Bigger Better

[April]

Pentair Dynamo 1hp pump
Pentair Sand Dollar SD-35 100lb Sand Filter
1 return
Pump and sand filter hooked up with hoses (fixing to hard plumb)
400 ft solar heater

I'm having a couple of issues with my sand filter. Instead of putting a $100 into my sand filter I thought it may be better to just go ahead and replace it with something bigger.

Would a bigger sand filter clean better? ( I have to keep a sock in my skimmer at all times now)
Is my pump big enough to run a bigger filter?
Does Hard plumbing make a difference on flow?

I appreciate any help or advice. I have researched pumps and filters but don't understand a lot about what would work best. I'm thinking a Hayward would be easier to find replacement parts instead of the Pentair.

 

[jblizzle]

A bigger filter will allow you to go longer between cleanings, but no necessarily filter "better".
Are you backwashing when the pressure rises 20-25% over the clean pressure?
Yes, your pump should handle a bigger filter
Yes, the hard plumbing makes a big difference in the flow rate over the corrugated hoses.

 

[April]

So hard plumbing is better. Right?
My filter usually runs around 18 clean. I backwash when it gets around 23 or 24.

I usually backwash for at least 2 minutes then I rinse for 1 minute. Where my pump is only 1 speed it pumps a lot of water out quickly so I normally have to shut off the pump after and fill the pool back to the proper level or it will suck air.

 

[Patrick_B]

You might want to fill up the pool higher and the. Backwash. Rather than a set time, it's better to BW until the water coming out is clear. Otherwise your are leaving things in the filter. You would have to get a feel for how much extra water you may need, but that's better than timing it. If 2 minutes is all it ever takes to get clear, that would be fine, but make sure.

 

[April]

I keep the water level almost at the top of the skimmer. I figured any higher may not get the particles off the top of the water. (I could be wrong).

If there was a way to put some kind of clear pipe ( if they make one??) on the backwash so I could see when it runs clear. I think that would work good. As of now can't see thur the black hose and then it runs under ground to the back of my property. So I try to look at the water when it comes out of the line but hard to tell if its actually completely clear on the ground.

If there is a better way to set it up I appreciate any recommendations.