Anyone here have a sand filter? I had DE in my old house, and loved it. I could save $600 getting a sand filter instead of DE. Not sure its worth saving $600, as I believe sand doesn't filter as good??
Jan 2025 IG pool build in Georgia, need liner re set!!!!
- Thread starter suzook
- Start date
- May 23, 2015
- 25,695
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I have a DE filter but plan to switch to cartridge filter when the time comes. I’m tired of messing around with DE.
The trick to filters is basically getting the largest filter your budget can afford. The larger the filter, the less frequent you have to clean it. I only have to clean my filter once per year and I never backwash (to conserve water) and so it makes more sense to go with a cartridge filter. Sand filters are ok, and many here have them, but I’d rather not mess with them. They typically only filter on the range of 25-30 micron particle size whereas DE is more like 5-10. But in all honesty, I would bet a bag full of donuts you’d never be able to tell the difference between a pool with a sand filter versus a DE filter just by looking at the water.
Yeah, I am guessing its probably not $600 better than sand. Although I remember my sand filter on my above ground pool being a PITA. My DE filter on my inground was awesome. Never had to backwash, just one cleaning per year, add new DE.
FWIW, I'd pay $600 *more* for cartridges.
What's the appeal to cartridges. I always thought they were a pita, constantly cleaning them out?
- May 23, 2015
- 25,695
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Simplicity in the filter plumbing with very few parts to go bad. Get a big enough filter and you only have to clean it once per year. No multiport valves to worry about springing leaks. If you get two sets of cartridges then the filter can be cleaned quickly and put right back into service. Then you can take time cleaning the dirty cartridges.
Multi valve just needs a rebuild every 8 to 10 years. Really simple. But my builder charging extra for cartridge filter over sand.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,007
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I have a sand filter- it works just fine. I can choose to add a little DE or filter fiber after a backwash if I wish but its not necessary.
If your filter is large enough as we suggest and you maintain a TFP recommended levels in the pool the water will look great & the filter will require minimal maintenance no matter which one you choose. I need to backwash maybe 3 or 4 times per season. I prefer having a way to waste water quickly since we get some heavy rain events so even if I had a cartridge I would likely still have an mpv. I’m on a large property so I have no issues dealing with the affluent water. Those that do are better suited for cartridge.
If your filter is large enough as we suggest and you maintain a TFP recommended levels in the pool the water will look great & the filter will require minimal maintenance no matter which one you choose. I need to backwash maybe 3 or 4 times per season. I prefer having a way to waste water quickly since we get some heavy rain events so even if I had a cartridge I would likely still have an mpv. I’m on a large property so I have no issues dealing with the affluent water. Those that do are better suited for cartridge.
Big ones go all season, just like the other 2. I end up cleaning mine mid season just because, not because they need it. But that's on me.
Well I still haven't heard back from builder after me trying to negotiate the price, and they stated price was non negotiable. Trying to see about getting that new shape quote, and where we are at with price. Trying to convince my wife about sticking with concrete, and eliminating kool deck. Would save us about $2200. I will be sticking with the DE filter, as I never had issues with it on my previous pool of 10 years. I am at the point, I just want to get a contract signed. I don't want to start all over with another builder at this point. The only saving grace, is the other builder that lives in my neighborhood has gotten rave reviews from the neighbors. I am not sure what happened to him though, as he sort of ghosted me as we were in the middle of a quote.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,007
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Maybe better he ghosted you at quote time rather than after he had your money
. Count it as a blessing.
Well they are a reputable builder, but it is strange they couldn't reply back. I'm giving them a few days. If I don't hear anything I'll move on. It's was the weekend, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.Maybe better he ghosted you at quote time rather than after he had your money
Count it as a blessing.
- May 23, 2015
- 25,695
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Perhaps that was part of the reason for not calling back.
A $55k pool build for a high-end / busy builder is pretty much on the low-end of their profitability. They’re not going to work at a loss. So the builder probably gave you the best pricing they could come up with that still gets them some profit … take it or leave it.
I’m not saying you’re wrong for wanting to negotiate, just that you’re pretty much at the low end of pool construction costs. So there’s very little fat to trim without GC’ing the build yourself.
10 years ago, $55k got you a very fancy pool with lots of features … nowadays, a Walmart-special pop-up pool costs $55k … just the times we’re living in ….
Probably right. I only asked for $2500 off their last proposal. They said they couldn't come lower, and I agreed to the original quote, but wanted to change the pool shape. Since then I haven't heard back. If asking for a $2500 discount on a $62000 pool offended them, then I'll give my hard earned money to someone else. I am still giving them the benefit of the doubt, sometimes life happens, hoping I can get this settled.
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We should have a signed contract within the next week with the builder we liked. More than we would like to spend, but you only live once, and its not going to completely bankrupt us. Cant wait until the big MESS this coming Feb
I spent until it hurt with the budget being blown and then some. Yet i've been kicking myself for at least 2 of the 3 seasons for not going larger on the already large pool *and also* the already large patio.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,007
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
- May 23, 2015
- 25,695
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
The money part of it is always frustrating and gut-wrenching when the pool build is happening. You’ll be freaking out every night the week before Dig Day wondering what kind of stupid mess you signed yourself up for and gaming all of the tragedies that will happen to you right as you hand over that first check and sign your yard away. You’ll be frustrated and annoyed with the endless parade of goons that show up in your subdivision and yard at 5am turning on their diesel powered whatchamagizzets at 6am. Your neighbors will give you the stinky-side-eye every time they roll past your house and you’ll find trash and construction debris in the weirdest places … oh, and you’re going to be really ticked off when you get the water and electric bill that shows just how many power tools they were running from that single outlets near the pool …
… then, a year later, when you’re floating in the pool with family, you won’t even remember the build and the money you spent will not even register on your day to day. If you end up on the other side with your sanity intact, it’s a win …
… if you lose your noodle, you turn into @Newdude …
… then, a year later, when you’re floating in the pool with family, you won’t even remember the build and the money you spent will not even register on your day to day. If you end up on the other side with your sanity intact, it’s a win …
… if you lose your noodle, you turn into @Newdude …
Very true. I've been through it once, and understand the high water bill, and the high electric bill, and the high price we will pay for the fence, and then the heater, and then the high gas bill.......but it was more than half the price I'm paying now, and it included a lot more of what I am getting. That's my "issue". At the end of the pool build, yes, it will be worth it.
- May 23, 2015
- 25,695
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Yeah. Inflation sucks but the pool build market definitely took advantage of price hikes. 10+ years ago the world was a very different place and pools could be built with lots of flexibility in pricing. When we built our pool in 2013, a friend told me it wouldn’t cost more than $25k-$30k to get a nice small AZ pool. We went a lot bigger and got all the equipment upgrades and it was a bit under $60k. Nowadays you couldn’t build my pool for less than $120k …