Cartridge Or Sand - here's what I did

[PapaKnowsStuff]

Ive had a pentair clean and clear 4 cartridge filter for the past 7 years - I really dont like taking it apart and cleaning the cartridges

A major pool supplier sent me a top of the line 24" side valve sand filter to unbox, install, and video - I've been running the sand filter for a week now.

I used a lot of 90 deg elbows and I should have used sweep and I think thats causing water flow issues - I have had to backwash a couple of times which is no big deal

I plan on replumbing when my new heater arrives in a few week and I'll replace all my 90's with sweep 90's at that time.

I'll attach my old setup and my new set up ( do not laugh at the plumbing yet ) I'll fix it.

Did I do the right thing switching to sand???

 

[Newdude]

Did I do the right thing switching to sand???

Its subjective per the user.

IMO, you fouled up badly.

Large carts should go all season without cleaning. If you need more than that, you likely have algae. The same goes for the new filter, short filter cycles means its filtering out alage and being overwhelmed.

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

 

[PoolStored]

short filter cycles means its filtering out alage and being overwhelmed.

^^^This. Algae, even if you can't see it.

How are you testing your Water. Here are the kits we recommend. Link-->Test Kits Compared
Can you post a full set of results from your kit if you have one? FC, CC, pH, TA, CH, CYA, Salt.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Pop,

It really depends on how often you had to clean your cartridge filter????

I clean mine once a year and my pool is open 365...

That said... whatever works for you works for me...

Jim R.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Same here, annual cartridges.

 

[generessler]

Yeah I guess you can tell folks here generally prefer cartridges. I have a "dirty" environment: 8 giant evergreens actually arching a bit over the pool. And my filter is 320sf. Wish it were bigger. Yet I get away with 2 cleanings per year: fall after leaves are down and spring after pollen is done. At this point I have it down to about 90 minutes. Just find a good podcast to pass the time when you're blasting the pleats .

 

[gullzway]

I just switched to a sand filter last week, after 15 years with a cartridge filter.

Got a deal last year for a 1hp Super pump I was wanting, and a 24" Hayward sand filter, all for $99.

Didn't install the sand filter last year, but after 1 day of opening this year and cleaning the cartridge filters 3 times already, I swapped them out a few days ago.

Loving the ease of backwashing vs taking apart the cartridge filter, cleaning all 4 cartridges, putting it back together, lid leaks, take apart again, relube gasket again, put it back together I was done.

After 5 days my pool is as clear as with the cartridge filter. I have been adding a little de after backwashing. It's rained enough the last 2 days I haven't had to add any water.

No regrets so far.

 

[Newdude]

Loving the ease of backwashing vs taking apart the cartridge filter, cleaning all 4 cartridges, putting it back together, lid leaks, take apart again, relube gasket again, put it back together I was done.

This always tweaks my melons. Folks buy a larger something else, then blame the too small filter.




The original filter would have equally benefitted from the size increase, needing less cleanings.

All filters should be broke down and deep cleaned once a year to prove everything inside is in order. Deep cleaning a sand/DE filter is a similar level of fun as taking apart a cart filter.

Anywho, you got a size upgrade and a deal. Thats great no matter how you slice it. Best wishes with it.

 

[gullzway]

This always tweaks my melons. Folks buy a larger something else, then blame the too small filter.

View attachment 650215


The original filter would have equally benefitted from the size increase, needing less cleanings.

All filters should be broke down and deep cleaned once a year to prove everything inside is in order. Deep cleaning a sand/DE filter is a similar level of fun as taking apart a cart filter.

Anywho, you got a size upgrade and a deal. Thats great no matter how you slice it. Best wishes with it.

The cartridge filter is a Hayward C3030 325 s.f. filter. Does it not have a larger surface area then a 24 in. sand filter?

Not sure how they compare.
I know I paid $700 for the cartridge filter in 2017, and now they're $1, 300.

 

[Newdude]

The cartridge filter is a Hayward C3030 325 s.f. filter. Does it not have a larger surface area then a 24 in. sand filter?

Not sure how they compare

While they don't compare apples to apples, the do compare with small / medium / large, and within any bracket you should see similar cleaning intervals.

A 24 inch filter with 300lbs of sand would be closer to a 500 sq ft cartridge filter IMO, both being the larger of their style.

 

[generessler]

I used a lot of 90 deg elbows and I should have used sweep and I think thats causing water flow issues - I have had to backwash a couple of times which is no big deal

I plan on replumbing when my new heater arrives in a few week and I'll replace all my 90's with sweep 90's at that time.

A general difference is that most cartridge filters have very high max flow limits. C&C Plus is 150 gpm if I recall. Otoh sand filters tend to have lower limits and bigger head losses. If yours is a Hayward W3S310S, which it looks like, the manual says max 80 gpm for 2" plumbing and the filter limit is 98 gpm.

I don't think changing out the 90's will affect flow very much.

 

[PapaKnowsStuff]

A general difference is that most cartridge filters have very high max flow limits. C&C Plus is 150 gpm if I recall. Otoh sand filters tend to have lower limits and bigger head losses. If yours is a Hayward W3S310S, which it looks like, the manual says max 80 gpm for 2" plumbing and the filter limit is 98 gpm.

I don't think changing out the 90's will affect flow very much.

After looking at several posts about this I will concur that it won't make a difference but if street elbows were used then it would cause flow issues - glad i didn't use those

 

[PapaKnowsStuff]

While they don't compare apples to apples, the do compare with small / medium / large, and within any bracket you should see similar cleaning intervals.

A 24 inch filter with 300lbs of sand would be closer to a 500 sq ft cartridge filter IMO, both being the larger of their style.

the pentair cartridge filer I removed was 420 sq ft

 

[Newdude]

the pentair cartridge filer I removed was 420 sq ft

Then yours was plenty big and any frequent cleaning needs were chemical issues, not mechanical ones. They will carry over to the new filter if they aren't addressed.

It makes more sense to go after the root of the problem, then to allow unsanitary conditions that cause frequent filter cleanings, only to get a filter you don't mind cleaning.