Newish filter with rust inside

[sean.a.hyde]

Hi everyone,

I closed my pool today
So I cleaned out my new cartridge filter for the first time. It seemed like there was quite a lot of rust inside. Aside from the fact that the filter probably doesn’t want it’s bits rusting, I don’t think I want all this rust in the pool water. Thoughts?

 

[Water Cat]

Is the casing on it metal or are you on water with high mineral content? Hard to tell if this rust is from the canister or from iron in your water.

Filters should not fail this soon.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Sean,

My CCP-520 looks the same, but not near as bad... It has been that way for about 6 years..

Since your pool is new, I would contact your pool builder or Pentair and see what they can do for you.. In theory it should be stainless steel and not rust, but I think there are rivets or spot welds that are causing the problem..

I never get a load of "stuff" like I see on your cartridges.. How does that get through your skimmers and the pump basket???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[sean.a.hyde]

Sean,

My CCP-520 looks the same, but not near as bad... It has been that way for about 6 years..

Since your pool is new, I would contact your pool builder or Pentair and see what they can do for you.. In theory it should be stainless steel and not rust, but I think there are rivets or spot welds that are causing the problem..

I never get a load of "stuff" like I see on your cartridges.. How does that get through your skimmers and the pump basket???

Thanks,

Jim R.

I’ll reach out to Pentair, but they’ll probably give me the finger for self-install.
that stuff eventually made its way through the pump basket when it broke down enough. I didn’t clean the pump basket all season. I don’t use skimmer socks either. I get very little debris in the pool since I have the autocover closed most of the time.

 

[JamesW]

Pentair cartridge filter rusting inside

Hello, I have some issues with rust inside my cartridge filter. See pictures. Some background: Pool is about 3 years old. Located in a Houston suburb SWG ~25,000 gallons Using BBB from the beginning. Never had an algae [emoji3] Here are my typical chemistry ranges: PH is 7.6 - 8.0+ I am...

www.troublefreepool.com

They might be willing to send you a new bottom tank under warranty.

 

[JamesW]

Does a magnet stick to the metal?

If yes, how strongly?

 

[Water Cat]

You should clean the skimmer basket daily and clean the pump basket after vacuuming at minimum. Your cartridge will last longer if you keep on top of this.

I have a sand filter and don't have to backwash as often if I keep the baskets clean. I would imagine the same holds true for cartridges.

 

[sean.a.hyde]

Pentair cartridge filter rusting inside

Hello, I have some issues with rust inside my cartridge filter. See pictures. Some background: Pool is about 3 years old. Located in a Houston suburb SWG ~25,000 gallons Using BBB from the beginning. Never had an algae [emoji3] Here are my typical chemistry ranges: PH is 7.6 - 8.0+ I am...

www.troublefreepool.com

They might be willing to send you a new bottom tank under warranty.

I sent them a message. It does look like that ring is a separate part. I haven't tried to pop the ring out yet to get a better look at it.
For that price though, I may get a buddy to make me one that I am _sure_ won't rust....

Does a magnet stick to the metal?

If yes, how strongly?

Nope. Not at all. So that's promising.... But then I don't know what is rusting. Need to pop it out. Will escape from work for a few minutes and try later.

You should clean the skimmer basket daily and clean the pump basket after vacuuming at minimum. Your cartridge will last longer if you keep on top of this.

I have a sand filter and don't have to backwash as often if I keep the baskets clean. I would imagine the same holds true for cartridges.

I clean the skimmer baskets on days I use the pool, which is most. I get very, very little debris in the pool because of the autocover, and most of what does get in, doesn't end up in the skimmers -- it gets picked up by the robot. So I never vacuum. The pump basket never had more than a few pine needles or pieces of grass in it. at a time. Messing around with the pump basket lid didn't seem worth it.
The pressure on the filter didn't go up at all the whole season. (YAY TFP METHOD and massively oversized filter)

 

[sean.a.hyde]

Here are some more photos with the ring out.
seems to be rusting from a specific few spots. Maybe where it was crimped/damaged? Is this crappy SS coated in something?

 

[JamesW]

I suspect that the manufacturing process includes a few steps that weaken the steel in specific spots.

I suspect that they heat it and use various tools to bend it.

Is a strong magnet more attracted to the rusty spots than to the non-rusty spots?

Ask Pentair to send you a new ring.

 

[sean.a.hyde]

I suspect that the manufacturing process includes a few steps that weaken the steel in specific spots.

The points that it is rusting from actually appear in the drawing in the manual. So they seem to be actual features, not just artifacts of manufacturing...

 

[Jimrahbe]

Sean,

I did not even know the ring could be removed???

Does it just pull right out or ??? What did you have to do to remove the ring?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JamesW]

I doubt that any of the points are intentional. One is a seam. The others are probably just from the manufacturing process. I don't see any useful purpose.

Ask Pentair for a new ring.

 

[sean.a.hyde]

Sean,

I did not even know the ring could be removed???

Does it just pull right out or ??? What did you have to do to remove the ring?

Thanks,

Jim R.

Er, I guess I assumed it would come out based on it having its own orderable part number and no actual fasteners...
At any rate, I went around a bunch of times wiggling it with a screw driver and it worked its way up. Took about 10 minutes -- I was trying to be careful.
As far as I can tell, its only purpose is to push back against the clamp since it doesn't attach to the shell an thus can't help with internal pressure.

 

[Water Cat]

Looks like the seam of the beige canister is rusting. You could try a rust proof paint or automotive touch up on those spots and the steel ring. Only thing is the ring would be a different colour than shiny.

Chances are rust is probably considered wear under the warranty and may nor be covered by it.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Cat,

The canister is fiberglass, so I doubt it is rusting.. The ring is rusting and the fiberglass is just absorbing or being staining by the ring.

I do like the idea of trying a rust proof coating.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[sean.a.hyde]

I do like the idea of trying a rust proof coating.

Any worry the coating will end up in the water?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Sean,

I can't see that being any worse than the rust that is already there.

I doubt it will do any real good, but if I go to all the trouble of taking the ring out and cleaning off the existing rust, I'll put something on there.. Not sure what yet.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[sean.a.hyde]

After consulting with my MechE coworkers, I'm probably going to ignore it for now other than trying to get a new one for free from Pentair.
According to the MechEs, the correct thing to do is to passivate the the SS ring after manufacturing. This will probably cost me $50-$75 and should be done before corrosion starts, so if when this one fails, I will look into doing that to the next one before I install it. Shame on Pentair for cutting such an easy corner -- they could do this in giant batches.

 

[sean.a.hyde]

Pentair did agree to send out a replacement ring after getting my serial number and proof of purchase (inyopools). Tracking number says arriving tomorrow.
My MechE friends are currently debating passivating vs just powder-coating the ring. I'll report back on what I decide to do and what the cost is.