newbie need suggestion on pool filter

[poorpoolman]

Second year at a house with a in ground pool. it has Pentair Tagelus TA60D sand filter in a shed. last year, I learned to maintain the pool myself, so far so good, water is crystal clear. Filter survived the winter of 2023. but this year, when I started the pump first time, the filter tank crack. don't know how this happened since we have a warm winter this year.
Anyway, now I am not sure if I should use fiberglass repair kit to fix the crack (quite long though, about 1 foot vertically) or replace the sand filter with alike product or go with cartridge filter.
at first, I was thinking to replace the tank only but looking at the Manual, tank isn't a replaceable part, I have to replace the whole unit with valve, which will cost me arms and legs. Then thinking about fiberglass repair kit, but searching the web and some guys warning that won't work and the tank could explode. now thinking, since I might have to replace the whole unit, will it be better to replace it Cartridge filter?
Really need your guys to share some lights on this issue.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum.
A filter housing is a pressure vessel. They are not to be repaired. Please take this filter out of service and replace.
Many of us like cartridge filters, especially those with water restrictions.
If you have plentiful fresh water, and a good place to send the backwash, I would stick with a sand filter.

 

[poorpoolman]

Thanks for your quick response, yeah, in Seattle, we have plenty of fresh water, and this pool has good place to send the backwash. Looks like I should stick with Sand Filter then.
My other question is, if I buy the same model tank, will it be hard for newbie to replace it. I am handyman. just want to save some bucks.

 

[poorpoolman]

ordered the new same model filter already.

Before installing the new filter and turning it on. anyone has idea why the crack happened on the old filter? I really doubt it's caused by the water freezing inside the tank, could it be I didn't follow the proper procedure before turning on the pump? Since couple days before turning on the pump, I remember the tank is still good, no crack at all. and once I turned the pump on, a few seconds later, it cracked.

I own this pool for 2 winters so far, last winter, I didn't do winterize, the valve was on filter position all the time and no problem to turn on the pump the first time after winter. This winter, I winterized the filter, drained the water in the filter, and this crack happened when turning on the pump the first time.

Looking at the TA60D manual again, it didn't say the procedure to start the filter after winterizing, but has the procedure for initial start-up after installation:
1. On a new pool, clean the pool before filling the pool with water. Excessive dirt and large particles can cause damage to the pump and filter.
2. Ensure that the backwash line is open so that water is free to come from the pool and flow out the backwash line. Set control valve to backwash position.
3. Check pump strainer pot to be sure it is full of water. Replace pump lid. Air entering the filter and the valve clamp not closed properly can cause the valve to separate and could cause severe bodily injury and/or property damage.
4. Check valve clamp for tightness.
5. Open the manual air bleeder on the 6-Way Valve, (except TA100D). Stand clear of the filter and start the pump allowing it to prime.
6. Close the air bleeder on the 6-Way Valve, (except TA100D), when all the air is removed from the filter and a steady stream of water emerges.
7. Stop the pump. Set the valve to the filter position.
8. Ensure all suction and pool return lines are open so that water is free to come from the pool and return to the pool.
9. Open the manual air bleeder on the 6-Way Valve, (except TA100D). Stand clear of the filter and start the pump.
10. Close the air bleeder on the 6-Way Valve, (except TA100D), when a steady stream of water emerges.
11. The filter has now started its filtering cycle. You should ensure that water is returning to the pool and take note of the operating pressure when the filter is clean.

could it be I didn't do step 2/3/5 and just simply turning on the pump, the pressure of air cause the tank to burst?
it's an expensive lesson, just want to know the root cause so same problem won't happen again. Thanks for any advises.