New filter advice needed

[TomG]

My 20 yr old Jandy CL340 is leaking from the bottom so I'm in the market for a new filter. The Jandy is rated at 340 sq ft and has done a good job keeping my approx 17k gal pool clear so I'm looking at comparable filters such as the Hayward Swimclear 325 or the Pentair Clean & Clear 320 with max flow/gpm of 122 & 120 vs 127 of the Jandy. The 8 hr capacity is 58k Hayward, 57.6 Pentair, vs 61k (est) for the Jandy. Moving to the 400+ sf models is going to bump up costs by approx $200. My questions are: 1. Are the specs for the models I listed "close enough" to get similar performance of the Jandy? 2. Is one brand better than the other? I did look at the Waterway brand which much cheaper but several reviews indicated they sprung leaks pretty early in their lifespan. I could purchase a new Jandy tank and top for about $1k but then at some point, I don't know if parts will still be available. So I'm a bit conflicted with the options! Thank you all in advance for your advice!

 

[ajw22]

Any of those models will serve you well.

Pentair and Hayward filters are equal quality.

The 400 filter will let you go longer between cleanings then the 300 filter. That is the major difference.

 

[proavia]

Is saving the time and effort of a minimum of 5 cleanings over the next 10 years worth the extra $200 to you?
If so, go with the larger filter.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

My personal opinion is to avoid the messy filter media sand and DE. Search the forum for those messy media landing in the pool and elsewhere. Get a large cartridge filter like the one in my signature. No muss, no fuss, hose it down once a year, done. (Pro tip: hair nets in the skimmers reduce this work maybe 50%.)

 

[TomG]

Thanks all for your suggestions. There is definitely a cost for my labor that I wasn't fully factoring in!