Clean & Care Filter vs Quad DE?

[Candurin]

Hi All,

We are in about to sign a contract with a highly reputable fiberglass installer in South NJ. They have been great in answering all my questions and adjusting pricing as necessary. I think we're all set, however, the original spec list from the PB included the Pentair FNS 36 DE filter. I know we wanted to upgrade to a Quad DE filter but it seems as though one of the Clean & Clear options should be plenty. Here's some information:

14,000 gallon was 16 x 38 Fiberlass Pool
InteliFlow VSF pump (3 HP)
IntelliChlor IC40 SWG
Multiport Valve (I understand this would be deleted with a C&C filter
EasyTouch 4 w/ ScreenLogic
4 x microbrite LEDs
MasterTemp 300K NG Heater

We have zero trees in the area and our neighbors also have an IG pool with no trees. Very little sources of debris around our future pool site.

So my two questions. Which sized Quad DE? I assume the 60 is fine and 80 would be less time between cleanings.

Second (multiple parts), would the cartridge filter give us the cleanliness and clarity that we would hope for? Just trying to see if DE is worth it over the cartridge. What size Pentair C&C would we want? The 420?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Jimrahbe]

C,

I have three pools, two with DE filters and my pool with a large cartridge filter.. You cannot tell any difference in the water quality or clarity.. I can't wait for the two DE filters to die so I can replace them with cartridge filters.. No MVP, simple plumbing and no DE to mess with...

I live in Texas, so we never closer our pools.. Since they are always open it is pretty easy to keep them algae free... but you live in NJ, so you are going to be closing your pool in the winter.. If this leads to a lot of algae when you open the pool, a cartridge filter will be a pain for you.. To clean a cartridge filter, you will have to open it up, clean the 4 cartridges, and put it back together.. It takes less than a day for algae to plug up a filter. With a DE filter, you just backwash it and move on.. You do have to open and clean them once or twice a year, but not everyday..

If I were in your shoes I would not buy a Quad DE, but I'd go with the standard DE filter with grids.. If you don't get algae you could probably get away with just cleaning them at the end of the season..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Candurin]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Jim! Why the grid (FNS) instead of Quad?

 

[Jimrahbe]

C,

I believe, without an ounce of proof, that the DE cartridges will not last near as long as the grids.. Especially if you backwash often.

What do you see as the advantage of the Quad DE filters??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Candurin]

Just based on what was offered up on this forum. Lower pressure (generally) increased time between cleanings, throughput, easier to clean, effeciency, etc.

I was hoping to get away with just a cartridge filter, but algae concerns may preclude that, as you generously pointed out.

No solid evidence, just dangerous forum reading is swaying me towards Quad vs the FNS.

 

[Newdude]

I was hoping to get away with just a cartridge filter, but algae concerns may preclude that, as you generously pointed out.

I have a 500 sq ft cartridge and did a full slam with about 15k gallons left at opening this year. I cleaned once afterwards and it was 30% as dirty as it was from the pollen a few weeks later. Just like a muscle car, there is no replacement for displacement.

 

[Newdude]

After SLAM

After normal pollen season