Questions for Purchasing a New Cartridge Filter

[DanF]

I have decided to switch out my DE filter for a cartridge one. What is the best way to buy a new one? Online and if so which retailer --- is inyo pools preferred?

Also, I understand that I should buy the biggest filter that I can. Exactly how big is that? For example I have a 13K gallon pool and my current DE filter is 48 square feet. Does pump HP matter when sizing the filter? I also have a Circupool RJ45+ SWCG which gets sufficient flow when running on low speed, and I would really like to ensure that I can replicate that with a new cartridge filter.

Any other considerations?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Newdude]

The environment decides the filter size, not the pool volume for low bather load residential pools. (The industry can't seem to grasp this). Looks like you get your fair share of debris blowing in from your avatar.

Besides price, you really can't go too big. Consider also how long it lasts, and the upgrade cost spread over 20(?) years is peanuts.

300s would be good for you. 400s would be great for you. 500s would be Caddilacs.

 

[Jimrahbe]

SWCG which gets sufficient flow when running on low speed, and I would really like to ensure that I can replicate that with a new cartridge filter.

Dan,

If your SWCG works with a DE filter, it will certainly work with a large cartridge filter. Keep in mind that cartridge filters have no backwash or MPV so that makes the water flow though the filter much easier.

I have a CCP-520 and my filter pressure is about 1 lb. at 1200 RPM and that is with a 30 lb. gauge.

I like these guys... Clean & Clear Plus

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[proavia]

A Pentair CCP420 or CCP520 would work well. I installed a CCP420 back in March of this year. With the relatively mild monsoon and no major haboobs this year in Chandler, I haven't needed to clean mine yet.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Gene,

If you are waiting for the pressure to go up it may be a while.

I'm sure I could go a year or more between cleanings, but my OCD just won't let me...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[proavia]

Gene,

If you are waiting for the pressure to go up it may be a while.

I'm sure I could go a year or more between cleanings, but my OCD just won't let me...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Agreed Jim - at 3450rpm, the pressure has increased 1 psi (30psi gauge here too). I had intended to clean the filter before it cooled off, but life got in the way. I do use hairnets in the skimmer basket, so that helps keep the filter dirt load down.

 

[ferretbone]

The environment decides the filter size, not the pool volume for low bather load residential pools. (The industry can't seem to grasp this). Looks like you get your fair share of debris blowing in from your avatar.

Besides price, you really can't go too big. Consider also how long it lasts, and the upgrade cost spread over 20(?) years is peanuts.

300s would be good for you. 400s would be great for you. 500s would be Caddilacs.

Yeah lets go with that. + 1 one on Newdudes 2 cents

 

[DanF]

A Pentair CCP420 or CCP520 would work well. I installed a CCP420 back in March of this year. With the relatively mild monsoon and no major haboobs this year in Chandler, I haven't needed to clean mine yet.

Thanks Gene. I see that you have an in-floor cleaning system, while I have a robot. I suppose the robot would result in less cleaning frequency? I use hairnets as well.

at 3450rpm, the pressure has increased 1 psi (30psi gauge here too).

I have heard that as well...that in comparison to a DE filter, one shouldn't wait for that ~25% increase in psi as a trigger to clean.

 

[proavia]

Yes, the robot and use of hairnets in the skimmer basket will result in less stuff getting to the filter.

I run my VSP 24/7 - 20 hours at 1200rpm and two 2 hour periods for the infloor clening at 2800rpm. At our electric rates, that is less than $20/month. Most of the stuff that falls/blows in gets skimmed out. The larger stuff that sinks gets pulled out thru the main drains (with the help of the IFCS) and gets trapped in the leaf vac.

Your RJ45+ SWG should work fine with your 2-speed pump on low (1725rpm) when using a cartridge filter. I was able to run my SWG at 900rpm (lowest I tried) succesfully.

 

[DanF]

Thanks everyone. Any tips on where to buy?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dan,

I like these guys... Clean & Clear Plus

Crystal Water Cartridge

When they say it is 'in stock' it really is in stock.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[IUsedToSail]

I wrote a brief thread yesterday on the joy the cartridge filter I installed in early June has brought to my life. Our pool seemed much clearer, probably because the flow was significantly higher. Last year I was flushing out the DE every 30 days, this year I went the entire season (over 5 months) with out cleaning the filter and the pressure MAYBE increased by 1/2 a lb. We go to our place at the beach a lot during the summer and I always used to be concerned about the pool while we were gone. Not anymore, the pool with the SWCG was pretty much set and forget other than swapping out the skimmer socks once a week or so.

Anyway, a cartridge filter is the best money I've spent on the pool and I'm really happy with the Waterway (USA) 425sqft filter I installed.

 

[guinness]

Anyway, a cartridge filter is the best money I've spent on the pool and I'm really happy with the Waterway (USA) 425sqft filter I installed.

What's your impression on the quality of the Waterway filter? Compared to the Pentair CCP420 at $1,300 that's a $400 saving.

 

[IUsedToSail]

I had a Pentair FNS Plus 36sqft DE filter that was seven years old, the exterior of it was pretty rough from the UV. The interior plastic manifolds seem more brittle in the Pentair than the Waterway as they use a different type of plastic. Pentair of course has a good reputation, however the Waterway filter seems like a more modern design. It's internal components are 2.5" for high flow and the parts fit together really snug and go together quick. I always felt like I was in danger of accidentally breaking something in the Pentair as I mentioned the plastic seemed brittle and the whole act of trying to reassemble the grids and was just a PITA. The air relief valve on the Waterway is definitely better and it's recessed and protected.

Anyway, now I've got 425sqft of filtration made right here in the USA, very happy w/ it.

 

[guinness]

Thanks IUsedToSail, I have an ageing Pentair CCP but will now consider the Waterway when time comes to replace. My only concern would be availability of parts like the air relief valve but that doesn't seem to be an issue from what I can tell. I like the handles on the filter too, a small but nice touch. The drain plug looks to be in a better location too. Apologies DanF on hijacking your thread.

 

[DanF]

Apologies DanF on hijacking your thread.

No problem whatsoever! Exactly the kind of info I am looking for.

 

[Bluesilv]

Get an Aquastar filter. One large filter to clean. Easy to access the filter and it won’t blow up on you.

 

[DanF]

Get an Aquastar filter. One large filter to clean. Easy to access the filter and it won’t blow up on you.

Definitely intriguing, but I am concerned about the design of having inlet and outlet on opposite sides of the filter, making it very difficult (or maybe impossible) to fit into my plumbing setup.

Also it comes in only 200 and 250 square feet, whereas I would like something in the 400 sqft range.

I like the fact that it has only a single cartridge to clean, and its locking system.

 

[proavia]

Single cartridges are heavy when pulling out of a filter when wet.
Multiple cartridges split this weight over the total square footage of filter area.
If you're considering a 400 to 500 plus square feet filter, multiple cartridges would be better. It really doesn't take any longer as you are still cleaning the same square footage of filter material.

 

[generessler]

I have a CCP320 for a 20k gallon pool surrounded - overhung in some spots - by constantly shedding evergreens in NC. Also a few deciduous trees farther away that make autumn interesting. Put new filters in 1.5 years ago. They went 11 months before pressure rise said clean 'em. Though I'm glad I did it, they weren't terrible even then. The CCP is one part of the system that - knock on wood - has been totally reliable.