Hayward 5030 Cartridge Filters

[Woot1]

Hello, I've had my pool for almost 3 years now. It's ~12,000 Gal chlorine pool with Ecofinish, a 2 HP pump with a booster pump for a Polaris 280 cleaner. The filter system is a Hayward 5030. I've noticed that as the years progress, I'm having to clean the filter cartridges more and more often. So I'm looking at replacements now so that I can get a little more time between cleanings. Looking on Amazon, I see a replacement from Hayward for a 4 pack:
<link deleted per forum rules. Maddie, Moderator>
However, they seem a little expensive and have mixed reviews. I see there are several after market manufacturers out there, but I don't know anything about them. So my question is, should I go forward with the Hayward brand cartridges, even with the bad reveiws, or is there another cartridge that just a good or better for cheaper? Thanks in advance!

Eric

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Hey Woot, welcome to TFP!

Are you sure you're having a filter problem rather than a chemistry problem? Algae can actually be almost invisible to the eye but filter media can be trapping it which causes you to have to clean those filters. Sooooo.....it can actually be a chemistry problem!
How's your water look? Do you test yourself and which kit are you using??
Can you tell us:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA

Those levels may suggest a problem we can help you identify, before you go off thinking its the filter.

We're here to help ya, if you're game?

Maddie

 

[Woot1]

Hey Maddie!
Thanks for the quick response! I'm testing myself using Leslie's Test Strips for Free Chlorine, Alkalinity, pH and Syanuric Acid. I've had good luck with this so far although I do end up having Leslie's do their test every once in a while and I'm probably overdue for that... The water clarity is great right now, but the pressure is creeping up and I've noticed when it does that, my cleaner doesn't work as well. I'm assuming that's because it's not getting enough pressure at the cleaner outlet, but I'm not sure.

Just Tested:
FCL 2
Alk 100
pH 7.3
CyA 110 maybe?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

As we say down south here....ohlordylordylordy!! You're basically using "Guess-Strips" with a pinch of being "Pool Stored" mixed in.

We don't trust either to tell you the truth. Test strips aren't accurate enough (we need numbers to work off of and there is a lot missing between those color block "numbers". Our trusted testing will be exact. Pool stores are often inaccurate due to inexperienced employees, or poorly done testing, or in attempt to make a sale. Who knows? No one will take more care to do the tests properly and get results that are reproducible than you.

To convince you, take three water samples from your pool to three different pool stores (without telling them your exact address so they don't just look it up on the 'puter from the last test record) and you'll probably get 3 different sets of results, and possibly advice.

Your tests don't tell you if you have combined chloramines (contaminates) in the water.

From that pic your water does look good, I'll say! Does your pressure gauge read "zero" when the pump is off? Just checking that to confirm it should be working correctly. What is your baseline filter pressure when the filter is clean? We recommend cleaning/backwashing filters when the pressure rises 25% over baseline. So if your baseline is 10psi, and it hits 12.5psi, its time to clean the filter.

Time to read some Pool School articles --> ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry - Trouble Free Pool

Routine Pump/Filter Maintenance

A working Filter and pump are vital parts for your pool. Read our artiticle on how to clean your filter & other Pool Maintenance Tips.

www.troublefreepool.com

Maintenance and Cleaning of Pool Filters

Maintaining your swimming pool filter system is important. Learn how to clean and maintain your pool filter at low cost & enjoy a Trouble Free Pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

The Free Chlorine and Cyanuric Acid Relationship

Managing your cyanuric acid and Free Chlorine levels is key to stabilizing your pool. Learn how these two items affect each other.

www.troublefreepool.com

Maddie

 

[Woot1]

Thanks Maddie once again.
Ok, you've convinced me to do the tests myself and invest in a better test kit. Can you recommend a test kit?
Also, yes, the pressure gauge reads 0 when the pump is off. The last time I cleaned the cartridges, the pressure was 13psi, and now it's up to 20psi. But again, I'm seeing the pressure go up faster as time progresses. Are you saying I should just keep cleaning my existing cartridges, or is it time to buy new ones?

 

[mknauss]

Order a TF-100
The only other real option for a test kit is a Taylor K-2006-C. Be careful comparing prices because the K-2006 comes in sizes, designated by a letter. The basic K-2006 has .75oz bottles. You need to get the K-2006-C to get the larger bottles that you want.
I also have the Speedstir. It makes testing much easier.

Cartridges should last many years. If the end caps are deteriorated or there are holes in the filter media then they need replaced. If they are simply plugging up because you have algae in your water, then they are doing their job.

 

[tcason]

May want to try and clean filters with TSP solution to remove oil.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I'll second what Marty suggests. The TF-100 is my preferred kit.

You haven't used any "potion" like floc or clarifiers in the pool, have ya?

Clean the filter now to hold you over till you get those test results. Inspect them carefully too for wear/tear.

Let us know when you get the test kit what your results are and we'll work on this together.

Maddie

 

[Woot1]

Ok, Is there a better way to clean them than with the garden hose? I'm using the "jet" setting on my nozzel, but it's a bit time consuming. Also, could the increased pressure from the clogged filters reduce the efficiency of the Polaris?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I have a sand filter so will admit cluelessness on the hose question, but will say yeah, high pressure would cause the pressure cleaner to have reduced efficiency.

The high pressure is showing that the water is meeting some resistance going thru the system. It slows down the water flow.

Maddie

 

[HeyEng]

Ok, Is there a better way to clean them than with the garden hose? I'm using the "jet" setting on my nozzel, but it's a bit time consuming. Also, could the increased pressure from the clogged filters reduce the efficiency of the Polaris?

I have a "filter flosser" that came recommended by some users here, but I have not used it yet...so I cannot speak to the actual effectiveness of it. In theory it seems like it would make the task a little easier and for about $25 from an online retailer, I *think* it's worth the price.

 

[Jeff_Pleatco]

If the pressure rises right after you clean the cartridges, it might be time for a new set. Over time debris gets lodged into the media and no matter how well you clean it, it won't come out. As well, just because a filter looks white and clean, doesn't mean it's really clean.

 

[tstex]

Agree w M&M on getting a TF-100 and abandoning the strips and pool store for all measurements and products.

Next, you need to buy the white polyspun hairnets for your skimmers...it's the best investment you'll ever make in any product for your pool and the best bang for the $$$$ too [200 of them for 12-14 bucks]. Your own pool testing kit ranks up there too...

After you post your own pool test values. let's see what you have. Here's a link for the hairnets:

G & F Products 13040-100 Disposable Bouffant Caps Hair Net, Spun-Bonded Polypropylene, Non-Woven, Medical, Labs, Nurse, Tattoo, Food Service, Health, Hospital, White, 100/Sleeve: Science Lab Hairnets: Amazon.com: Gateway

G & F Products 13040-100 Disposable Bouffant Caps Hair Net, Spun-Bonded Polypropylene, Non-Woven, Medical, Labs, Nurse, Tattoo, Food Service, Health, Hospital, White, 100/Sleeve: Science Lab Hairnets: Amazon.com: Gateway

www.amazon.com

I spray my filters w a liquid TSP, then 50-50 bleach/H2O in pump up sprayer, then hose them down...they come out crystal white..used to clean them every 6-8 months; w out hair nets, every 16-18 months now...at 3270 RPM's, I'm still below the green line on my filter pressure ga after 14 mo's of the last clean and hair nets...same filters since Jan 2015....

welcome to TFP, tstex

 

[tstex]

see this thread:

skimmer nets- New Fan

I was having to clean my cartridge filters too often ( surrounded my tree's that aren't mine ) but after a few folks suggested it I bought filter nets..After all the rain and pollen I can see where the nets have stopped a lot of brown pollen junk from clogging my filters :)

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[HeyEng]

+1 on the hairnets. They are super cheap and filter A LOT of junk!

 

[Woot1]

I'll second what Marty suggests. The TF-100 is my preferred kit.

You haven't used any "potion" like floc or clarifiers in the pool, have ya?

Clean the filter now to hold you over till you get those test results. Inspect them carefully too for wear/tear.

Let us know when you get the test kit what your results are and we'll work on this together.

Maddie

No, I haven't put anything in but the Leslie's Power Powder and Muriatic Acid over the 2 1/2 years I've had the pool.

 

[Woot1]

Agree w M&M on getting a TF-100 and abandoning the strips and pool store for all measurements and products.

Next, you need to buy the white polyspun hairnets for your skimmers...it's the best investment you'll ever make in any product for your pool and the best bang for the $$$$ too [200 of them for 12-14 bucks]. Your own pool testing kit ranks up there too...

After you post your own pool test values. let's see what you have. Here's a link for the hairnets:

G & F Products 13040-100 Disposable Bouffant Caps Hair Net, Spun-Bonded Polypropylene, Non-Woven, Medical, Labs, Nurse, Tattoo, Food Service, Health, Hospital, White, 100/Sleeve: Science Lab Hairnets: Amazon.com: Gateway

G & F Products 13040-100 Disposable Bouffant Caps Hair Net, Spun-Bonded Polypropylene, Non-Woven, Medical, Labs, Nurse, Tattoo, Food Service, Health, Hospital, White, 100/Sleeve: Science Lab Hairnets: Amazon.com: Gateway

www.amazon.com

I spray my filters w a liquid TSP, then 50-50 bleach/H2O in pump up sprayer, then hose them down...they come out crystal white..used to clean them every 6-8 months; w out hair nets, every 16-18 months now...at 3270 RPM's, I'm still below the green line on my filter pressure ga after 14 mo's of the last clean and hair nets...same filters since Jan 2015....

welcome to TFP, tstex

I love the hairnets idea! I have a huge old Texas Red Oak tree in my back yard that puts out crazy amounts of stuff in the Spring. Leaves in the Fall aren't really a problem but the Spring stuff is painfull! With the hairnets, I'm assuming that would force you to clean out the skimmer baskets daily for at least some of the year since it catches everything. Of course, I'd rather catch it there than on the filters! Thanks!

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Yeah, you will have to keep an eye on that skimmer so that it doesn't get clogged up from all the collected tree debris.

I have a main drain so even if my skimmer was covered up with debris and impeding water flow my pump wouldn't be starved for water with the main drains functioning.

Maddie

 

[Rich D]

I have a "filter flosser" that came recommended by some users here, but I have not used it yet...so I cannot speak to the actual effectiveness of it. In theory it seems like it would make the task a little easier and for about $25 from an online retailer, I *think* it's worth the price.

I purchased one of these last year and have used it several times. Definitely better and faster then just a hose sprayer . Your results will be mostly based on you water pressure at the hose end. Make sure you eliminate any pressure loss you can. IE.. Get a larger diameter hose with the minimum length required, remove any backflow fittings on the outside spigot. If you can attach a hose to the water main area where your water enters the house it would eliminate the pressure loss from the household plumbing.