Replace entire filter or just bottom?

[AZLynn]

I have a Pentair clean and clear filter that has developed a crack in the bottom piece. My options are to replace just the cracked bottom piece for ~$300, replace the entire unit for ~$1000 or replace it entirely with a sand filter using glass media. If I went with the sand filter option they would add extra pipe and valves so I could add solar later on. Price for this option is ~$2000. It would be ~$1750 without the extra pipe and valves. Oh and I currently have a gas heater they would remove to make room for the sand filter. It’s too expensive to use the gas heater so why keep it. That’s included in the ~$2000.

So what should I do?

I’m leaning toward the cheapest option for now but thinking of putting a sand filter in the budget for the future. I need to investigate solar more before I do that to see if that’s feasible. While it would be nice to be able to swim earlier and later in the season I have no idea how much adding that would cost.

The top of the filter is deteriorating so the pool guy suggested painting it if I didn’t replace it too.

So my questions beside what should I do are what are the odds of the top part developing a crack? Should I go ahead and replace the whole thing to be on the safe side?

Is the glass media a good idea? Or is the cartridge filter still the best way to go

Do you think the extra water for backwashing would be about the same as buying new cartridges every couple of years?

Looking forward to hearing what you all think about my options.

Forgot to add that the pool was built in the late 1990s and it’s probably the original filter.

 

[Texas Splash]

Aside from standard considerations like filter size and placement, the filter you chose is a balance between your personal preference for filtering, ease of use, and perhaps water use. While sand and DE filters are certainly common in AZ, and with a multiport valve convenient to clean, they do go through more water. All the backwashing not only depletes water, but then requires more to be added which can increase your CH level. So that's something to consider as opposed to a cart filter that you just open, rinse the carts, and put back together. If you go sand, stick with sand. Sand is by far the most common and reliable product for filter media. As long as the original portions of the current filter are structurally sound, I see no reason why you couldn't do some simple DIY touch-ups and continue to use it. That's something you'll have to validate though since we can't really be there to see it in person. But maybe others will have a thought as well. Of course post back with any other questions. Hope that helps.

 

[ajw22]

I don't know why you would prefer a sand filter with glass media over a cartridge filter. I think sand in a sand filter is better despite what the sellers of the glass media say.

It sounds like your current filter housing is past its useful life. Putting $300 into the bottom end when the top end is deteriorating can be wated money that is better going towards a fix that will last longer.

 

[AZLynn]

As I understand it the glass media is supposed to filter smaller than sand and even smaller than cartridge filter.

the issue with the top is that it’s fiberglass in the AZ sun. I don’t know what to call it but it’s like a dust of fiberglass on top of it. it’s shiny and you can dust it off so I guess it’s the fiberglass fibers dissolving in the sun.

I like the idea of the ease of backwashing versus cleaning cartridge filters. I also have very hard water so the filters need to be replaced every couple of years.

 

[ajw22]

As I understand it the glass media is supposed to filter smaller than sand and even smaller than cartridge filter.

Marketing puffery.

I like the idea of the ease of backwashing versus cleaning cartridge filters. I also have very hard water so the filters need to be replaced every couple of years.

Every filter type has its tradeoffs. When sand filters get channeled or when you need to deal with a large algae problem thay can be more trouble then a cartridge filter.

 

[Texas Splash]

the issue with the top is that it’s fiberglass in the AZ sun. I don’t know what to call it but it’s like a dust of fiberglass on top of it.

It's oxidizing from that brutal AZ sun. I know. I lived there for several years and here in South Texas it's just the same. That's why I built a small lean-to cover over my equipment which just happens to be on the west side as well - HOT. Whatever you decide, if you can shade the equipment it will help in the long run. Some people paint not only their filter housing, but also their PVC pipes.

 

[AZLynn]

If these pictures post properly you should be able to see the shimmer on the top of the filter housing in one picture. The other picture is the entire set up. The new sand filter would go in place of the gas heater that is on the left.

 

[AZLynn]

Trying this one again.

 

[Texas Splash]

Below is an example of what I mean about the pipes and stuff.

 

[AZLynn]

So does the glass media work as well as the sand? Apparently it doesn’t cost anymore than sand because they bought a bunch of it at once.

 

[Richard320]

If the bottom is cracking, the top ain't gonna be far behind. I'd replace it all.

With a lot of Calcium buildup from evaporation, you might want the occasional backwash. Sand filters are about the easiest to maintain. Turn a knob and flip a switch a few times in the right sequence and it's done. You wouldn't even have to set down your coffee. That being said, there have been enough threads here to convince me that sand substitutes don't filter better enough to justify the added expense. In some cases, it seems to filter worse.

Let's see if we can get @chiefwej to weigh in. He's the Tucson resident expert.

 

[AZLynn]

Ok but if it doesn’t cost any more should I still go with the glass media or tell them I want the sand anyway?

 

[djdonte]

If it was me, I would just replace the filter bottom. Obviously the top is weathered from the sun, but if it isn't cracking or anything like that it should be good to go for another year or two maybe. Depends on your budget. 300 is a ton less than the other quotes you gave. Unless you are looking for an excuse to upgrade, in which case I was pretty happy with both of my cartridge set ups. No multiport valve to mess with or backwashing. If you do go cartridge, make sure you go oversize.

 

[mknauss]

I also have very hard water so the filters need to be replaced every couple of years.

Wanted to address this. Hard water does not shorten the life of the cartridge filters if the water chemistry is properly managed. Mine are at 6 years and counting. No issues. CH of fill water is 250 ppm. Pool CH rises to ~1000 ppm before exchanging every 18 months or so.

 

[Richard320]

Ok but if it doesn’t cost any more should I still go with the glass media or tell them I want the sand anyway?

I, personally, would go with sand.

If glass worked as well as the makers claim, wouldn't Pentair and Hayward and Intex be recommending it? It's been around long enough.

 

[AZLynn]

Wanted to address this. Hard water does not shorten the life of the cartridge filters if the water chemistry is properly managed. Mine are at 6 years and counting. No issues. CH of fill water is 250 ppm. Pool CH rises to ~1000 ppm before exchanging every 18 months or so.

I’m pretty sure my fill water is around 450 ppm. The water is very hard. I can test it again to be sure though. Not gonna lie I’m not the greatest at maintaining the chemistry but it’s hard to do anything about very hard water. It’s currently over 700. I’ve drained it a couple of times in 6 years but it seems to keep on the high side so maybe the fill water is even higher.

 

[borjis]

I tend to be in the minority on this but I owned a pool with a sand filter & glass media the previous owner installed. I also had to slam it once.

Having owned & using both at different locations for a year, in my experience glass media works just as well. But glass doesn't seem to be superior to sand. If it was it would be used more as someone said.

If I had to replace sand for whatever reason I'd probably just go with sand again.

 

[AZLynn]

I’m pretty sure my fill water is around 450 ppm. The water is very hard. I can test it again to be sure though. Not gonna lie I’m not the greatest at maintaining the chemistry but it’s hard to do anything about very hard water. It’s currently over 700. I’ve drained it a couple of times in 6 years but it seems to keep on the high side so maybe the fill water is even higher.

Just checked and my fill water is only 200 ppm so I’m not sure how my calcium keeps going so high. That’s something I need to investigate. Having a sand filter would help with that though since I would be replacing a portion of the water more frequently.

 

[Texas Splash]

Just checked and my fill water is only 200 ppm so I’m not sure how my calcium keeps going so high.

Depends on your rate of evaporation and if you used any pool store type bags of cal-hypo shock. In your area, pool covers help to reduce evaporation and subsequent refills, and some owners supplement with water from a water softener. In the Aug time frame, collect rain from those evening monsoon.s

 

[AZLynn]

Called the pool guy again and he agrees that the entire thing is near the end if it’s life so I would need to replace the top at some point. Might be 6 months might be 5 years but it’s at least 20 years old. He personally has the glass media and thinks it does better than when he had sand. It doesn’t cost more for the glass so there’s nothing in it for him to convince me to get the glass instead of the sand. I’m thinking if I need to replace the entire thing I would probably rather have the sand filter. At my old house I had an above ground pool with a small sand filter. So I have had one before but I didn’t have a lot of experience with it. I’ve had more experience with the cartridge but I seem to recall the sand filter being easier to clean.