Contractor Installed DE Filter Rather than Cartridge Filter. Should I Keep It?

[jeffersonkim]

I have a 19,000 gallon, salt water pool just built in Puerto Rico (year round swimming). Contractor installed a 1.6 HP SVL56 pump into the filter. Contract calls for a 175 sq ft, Hayward C17502 cartridge filter (120 GPM Flow Rate).

Instead, what I discover installed is a DE Filter, Waterway Crystal Water 570-0036, 36 SF (72 GPM Flow Rate).

I'm not too sure on is if the 175 sq ft Cartridge Filter is really comparable to a 36 sq ft DE Filter in terms of frequency of self-service.

Should I keep the DE Filter and consider it an upgrade? or should I demand that the cartridge filter be installed as originally agreed?

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My primary reason originally going with a Cartridge Filter is because it looks as though it'll be easy for me to self service. I don't have the best experience with local servicers (as you'll probably see from my posts as I post other concerns I have with the pool construction). I can also order the cartridges online to switch out as needed ($69 on Ebay shipped).

Clarity is not a primary concern.

Seems back washing will require me to refill on salt as well.

Am I missing anything else?

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[Footage of cconstruction here htps://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/166928-15x30-Pool-w-Hot-Tub-amp-8-Tanning-Ledge-(50-Hour-Raw-Footage-Timelapse)-Puerto-Rico]

 

[Richard320]

Get the cartridge.

DE filters filter best but they're also the most trouble to clean. It isn't just backwashing. You also have to recharge them each time. And a lot of places are real fussy about where you send that dirty DE.

You have valid reasons for wanting a cartridge filter, your contract specified a cartridge filter, so you should get what you paid for.

 

[zea3]

Hi, welcome to TFP! Do you have any restrictions on water use or discharging used DE? Some cities in the U.S. require the used DE be contained and not just spilled out onto the ground. The DE filter costs a little more. There is also the question of whether or not you want to mess with backwashing and occasionally opening up and cleaning out a DE filter, and of course keeping fresh DE on hand as needed. Either one should work, what is the gallon capacity of your pool?

 

[jeffersonkim]

Hi, welcome to TFP! Do you have any restrictions on water use or discharging used DE? Some cities in the U.S. require the used DE be contained and not just spilled out onto the ground. The DE filter costs a little more. There is also the question of whether or not you want to mess with backwashing and occasionally opening up and cleaning out a DE filter, and of course keeping fresh DE on hand as needed. Either one should work, what is the gallon capacity of your pool?

I'm in Puerto Rico, so I'm going to say no.

It's a 19,000 gallon pool.

Does a 36 sq ft DE Filter equatable to a 175 sq ft? Is every Sq Ft created equal?

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Get the cartridge.

DE filters filter best but they're also the most trouble to clean. It isn't just backwashing. You also have to recharge them each time. And a lot of places are real fussy about where you send that dirty DE.

You have valid reasons for wanting a cartridge filter, your contract specified a cartridge filter, so you should get what you paid for.

Darn. I was hoping I got a free upgrade.

 

[JamesW]

36 square foot de is a little small. I would want 60 square feet.

For cartridge, I would want 300 square feet.

 

[jeffersonkim]

36 square foot de is a little small. I would want 60 square feet.

For cartridge, I would want 300 square feet.

For cartridge, why not 725?

$/Sq Ft, the 725 Sq Ft model is the winner by far.

		Sq Ft	Unit $	$/Sq Ft		Cartridge $	$/Sq Ft
Hayward	C17502	175	$488.48	$2.79		$69.99	$0.3999		Pleatco
Hayward	C2030	225	$545.27	$2.42		$118.00	$0.5244		https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Pack-Poo...852741?hash=item2139376645:g:29IAAOSw4HNaiM-8
Hayward	C3030	325	$654.88	$2.02		$146.53	$0.4509		https://www.amazon.com/Pleatco-PA81...&ie=UTF8&qid=1530164747&sr=1-3&keywords=C3030
Hayward	C4030	425	$765.00	$1.80		$256.66	$0.6039		https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pleatco-PA...666922&hash=item19f1b99e21:g:WFsAAOSwYxBaBJSH
Hayward	C7030	725	$1,108.51	$1.53		$179.38	$0.2474		https://www.amazon.com/Hayward-CX481XREPAK4-Replacement-Cartridge-SwimClear/dp/B00CG4C3EY?th=1

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Though, at least for cartridge replacements, $0.40/sq ft ain't too bad.

But the 725 Sq Ft at $0.2474 PSF is about 40% cheaper PSF.

I'm guessing major hindrance will be if they even sell that unit on the island, and space constraints.

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

So, I'm not a fan of the waterway and he probably installed it because its been discontinued and he could unload it? Maybe had it in stock and thought it would be an upgrade...

I think 175 sq ft for that size pool is too small for a cartridge filter. I agree with James, go big or go home

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Whatever filter you do get, be sure to install a multiport valve between the pump and filter.

In my opinion, it should be standard for every filter. But that's a different conversation

 

[jeffersonkim]

725 sq ft is 4x bigger than 175 sq ft. So would that theoretically mean I need to change out the cartridges 4 times less often?

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For cartridge, why not 725?

$/Sq Ft, the 725 Sq Ft model is the winner by far.

		Sq Ft	Unit $	$/Sq Ft		Cartridge $	$/Sq Ft
Hayward	C17502	175	$488.48	$2.79		$69.99	$0.3999		Pleatco
Hayward	C2030	225	$545.27	$2.42		$118.00	$0.5244		https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Pack-Poo...852741?hash=item2139376645:g:29IAAOSw4HNaiM-8
Hayward	C3030	325	$654.88	$2.02		$146.53	$0.4509		https://www.amazon.com/Pleatco-PA81...&ie=UTF8&qid=1530164747&sr=1-3&keywords=C3030
Hayward	C4030	425	$765.00	$1.80		$256.66	$0.6039		https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pleatco-PA...666922&hash=item19f1b99e21:g:WFsAAOSwYxBaBJSH
Hayward	C7030	725	$1,108.51	$1.53		$179.38	$0.2474		https://www.amazon.com/Hayward-CX481XREPAK4-Replacement-Cartridge-SwimClear/dp/B00CG4C3EY?th=1

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Though, at least for cartridge replacements, $0.40/sq ft ain't too bad.

But the 725 Sq Ft at $0.2474 PSF is about 40% cheaper PSF.

I'm guessing major hindrance will be if they even sell that unit on the island, and space constraints.

My math is bad. C7030 requires 8 filters, not 4. That doubles the cost!

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		Sq Ft	Unit $	$/Sq Ft		Cartridge $	$/Sq Ft
Hayward	C17502	175	$488.48	$2.79		$69.99	$0.3999		Pleatco
Hayward	C2030	225	$545.27	$2.42		$118.00	$0.5244		https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Pack-Poo...852741?hash=item2139376645:g:29IAAOSw4HNaiM-8
Hayward	C3030	325	$654.88	$2.02		$146.53	$0.4509		https://www.amazon.com/Pleatco-PA81...&ie=UTF8&qid=1530164747&sr=1-3&keywords=C3030
Hayward	C4030	425	$765.00	$1.80		$256.66	$0.6039		https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pleatco-PA...666922&hash=item19f1b99e21:g:WFsAAOSwYxBaBJSH
Hayward	C7030	725	$1,108.51	$1.53		$358.76	$0.4948		https://www.amazon.com/Hayward-CX481XREPAK4-Replacement-Cartridge-SwimClear/dp/B00CG4C3EY?th=1

 

[jeffersonkim]

Cost difference between 725sq ft and 175 sq ft = $620.03 up front costs which equals about 9 cartridges of the 175 sq ft.

For some reason I'm cracking up imagining myself cleaning out 8 cartridges from the 725 sq ft model vs the 1 cartridge from the 175 sq ft (though frequency will be much less).

What if I committed to simply replacing a brand new cartridge every time the filter gets dirty rather than committing to cleaning them? Or just wait until I accumulate 8 cartridges and then clean them all at once like I would with the 725 sq ft device?

Assuming I have to "replace" the cartridge every 6 months, that's a good 4 years worth of cartridges. Seems like not a big deal to clean 8 cartridges every 4 years.

I'm not sure on how frequently 175 sq ft cartridge would need to be replaced for a 19,000 gallon pool.

The 175 sq ft model seems to just have a screw top that makes it easy to pop out.

 

[Marty D]

I have the Pentair cartridges. There are two inside. My pool service guy would clean them 2 times a season. 3 month season here. They were so bad that the straps holding the cartridge fell apart. Even tho he cleaned them they were green in color. I was told they last 3 years or more. That’s bull !!! I took over serving the pool last year and I wash the filters every month. In 3 years I bought 3 sets at $399 each. The pool was always clean but if I did it again. DE filter or sand. I had sand filter for 10 years. DE for 12 years. Cleaning those filter with a hose does not get all the little leaves and junk out. Junk gets stuck in the filter and takes me 1 hour for each filter to clean with a hose then I let them sit in a big tub with cleaned chemicals. Wash again. Leave out to dry. Then to get all the junk out I use a air hose and blow out all the junk.