Switch from DE to Cartridge ... talk me off ... or push me over the ledge

[jblizzle]

Previous house had a 60 sqft DE Hayward filter.
Current house came with a 60 sqft DE Hayward filter.
So that is all I have experience with.

What I don't like:
1. Buying, mixing and dealing with the DE all over the yard ... forget about recharging if it is windy
2. When it starts to get dirty, flow rate drops enough on low speed that the SWG often stops

Reasons to keep the DE:
1. No equipment expense
2. No plumbing (I am not worried about doing this myself)

Reasons to switch:
1. No more DE
2. Flow rate should increase due to lower head loss (no multi-port)
3. Found a smokin deal on a used Pentair CCP 420 ... $85 ... even with new bulkheads and potentially new carts I am < $300 or 1/3 the price of new ... might be able to see my DE to recoup a lot of that too.

So who is going to talk me off and who is going to push me over

 

[Dirk]

Shove! I don't know a thing about DE. I like my cartridges, but that's all I've ever used. All I'm going to point out: if you can do the plumbing yourself, and get a filter for 1/3 of the cost new, why not try it out for a season? Got room to stash the DE? Sell whichever "loses" next season. If you end up putting the DE back in, seems like you should be able to recoup most if not all of the expense of the 420. What have you got to lose?

 

[Bama Rambler]

Go for the cartridge. You won't be sorry. You'll save a little water too, if you backwash the DE filter, by not having to waste quite as much water.

I've had all three filter types, and I like the cartridge filter I have now the best.

 

[Texas Splash]

Go for the cartridge. You won't be sorry.

Yep! They're so simple really. Only thing you might consider is plumbing in an valve between the pump and filter in case you want to pump to waste really fast ...... unless that system already has another output somewhere. Water clarity is just as good to my eyes.

 

[jblizzle]

It is funny I was looking at old posts and back in 2013 seems like everyone really loved their DE filters.

But more recent threads I've read in the past all seem to lean toward cartridges.

I would plan to add a three-way between the pump in the filter, just in case. Although I can't remember a time I've ever needed to pump to waste

 

[Dirk]

Go for the cartridge. You won't be sorry. You'll save a little water too, if you backwash the DE filter, by not having to waste quite as much water.

Does backwashing use more or less water than hosing off a set of cartridges? Either way, I thought I read elsewhere on TFP that backwashing affects water chemistry in that you're losing pool water that's replaced with fill water. Is that anything to consider?

So far:
Cartridge = 3
DE = 0

 

[Divin Dave]

I have a CC420 and love it. I also have a 3 way between pump and filter too, but never have used it. But it's there just in case Murphy shows up.

I'm starting on year 5, and the filters are still in great shape, so it's not like you have to spend a couple hundred dollars on new ones every couple of years.
IMO, there is way too much conversation about that maintenance cost with a big cartridge filter.

As for cleaning them. I clean mine twice a year. In springtime after all the pollen, seeds, and everything else has finally stopped and then in October. Truth be known, I could probably skip the October cleaning.

I know the recommendations say use a water hose to clean them, but that can take a couple of hours to do a really good job of it, so I take mine to the car wash and keep the wand 3 or 4 feet away and spray them down. I can clean all 4 of them in 15 minutes for 2 dollars worth of quarters.

That's it man. No back washing. No multiport that might start to leak. No DE charging. Wash it twice a year and forget it. It really couldn't be easier.

 

[mknauss]

Hmmm - the pressure wash method of cleaning the cartridges intrigues me. How do you keep the cartridges from rolling down the street as you wash them?!?

Going to do my once a year cleaning today. Have had no pressure increase at all but will be a nice day (80's) so makes me feel better to clean them.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Once my QuadDE goes, I’ll likely switch to a CCP520 (go big or go home!). But I would suggest you consider redoing the equipment pad to make it easy to install a drain valve on the CCP. The biggest complaint i see from folks is that it’s impossibje to easily get to the drain plug. You might consider putting the filter up on blocks so it’s easier to install a valve on the drain hole.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jason,

Matt brings up a very good point. I have to bend like a pretzel to get the plug out of the bottom of the filter. Not sure you have tried, but bending really old pretzels does not end well...

I really need to add a valve to make draining easier.

Once I finally get into a position where I can get the plug out, I can't move out of the way fast enough to keep from getting wet..

I should post a video, it would get a million hits...

Jim R.

 

[bdavis466]

Once my QuadDE goes, I’ll likely switch to a CCP520 (go big or go home!). But I would suggest you consider redoing the equipment pad to make it easy to install a drain valve on the CCP. The biggest complaint i see from folks is that it’s impossibje to easily get to the drain plug. You might consider putting the filter up on blocks so it’s easier to install a valve on the drain hole.

The Quad is as good as it gets in my eyes. You'd be taking a step backward.

I'm going Quad 120 when it gets released for no other reason than stupidity

And along the lines of new releases, Pentair is coming out with a combination NG heater AND heat pump in ONE unit. That's sure to be a game changer...

I'll give myself a hijack demerit

 

[JoyfulNoise]

The Quad is as good as it gets in my eyes. You'd be taking a step backward.

I'm going Quad 120 when it gets released for no other reason than stupidity

And along the lines of new releases, Pentair is coming out with a combination NG heater AND heat pump in ONE unit. That's sure to be a game changer...

I'll give myself a hijack demerit

Ok. You’ve convinced me. Buy two when they come out and send one to me....I’ll have to dig up all my plumbing though and increase it all from 2-1/2” to 3” ....

 

[jblizzle]

Good points all around.

This may require a fairly significant pad replumb anyways, but good thoughts about the drain.

I have redone my pad before to give myself more room, although I did it in such a way to allow reinstall of my gas heater. But at this point, I am not sure that is ever going to happen ... just does not seem like I need it. So, might be able to clean it up some.

Given the cost, I will likely pick one up, although may not get around to installing it for a bit.

My pool condition would get me banned, so I better clean it up with the DE filter first

 

[setsailsoon]

Jason,

My brother has DE I have cartridge. He'll be switching soon before he has to rebuild the frames again. I started out cleaning mine quarterly now I do it every 6 months... never get to 10% pressure drop, just can't bring myself to go longer. Water consumption for a rinse with the comb attachment is minimal for those that have concerns about water use.

When I do clean I drain the cartridge by opening a 2" cap fitting and I wash the interior out real well and make sure all the threads and o-ring sealing surfaces are clean with no dirt or sand. This makes reassembling it way easier. The whole thing takes about 20 min.

Good luck!

Chris

 

[Texas Splash]

My pool condition would get me banned, so I better clean it up with the DE filter first

I think we are the worst offenders. :cop: While I do manually sweep and scoop, I think I last vacuumed my pool was in Oct.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I think we are the worst offenders. :cop: While I do manually sweep and scoop, I think I last vacuumed my pool was in Oct.

We use Google Earth to track down and blacklist AQ members that offend the norms of good pool care...you have until the Google satellites do another fly-by before demerits are doled out....

 

[DebbieO]

I started with a DE filter (came with the house) and switched to a cart filter. Love it. After all the cottons and spring tree junk is done I haul it out and give it a good hosing. I pop it back in and make a slurry with Purifiber to coat the filter. Works great for me but I have a pretty short pool season.

 

[Dirk]

I pop it back in and make a slurry with Purifiber to coat the filter.

Water consumption for a rinse with the comb attachment is minimal for those that have concerns about water use.

DebbieO, setsailsoon, can you each explain the slurry and the comb to me? I've yet to clean my cartridges. Pool guy was doing it before I went TFP-solo, and then installed new ones with the new pebble, so I haven't had to do it yet. Looking for those insider tips for first time cleaning...

 

[DebbieO]

Hi Dirk! And welcome to the best pool site EVER! Referring to the Purifiber instructions it says to add up to 4 oz. (2 cups) per 25 sq. ft. of cart filtering area. Only add to CLEAN carts. I measure mine out into a bucket of water, mix it up and pour it into the skimmer. I have never had a problem with my filter pressure while using it and I have been using it for 7 years.

 

[tstex]

All,

Re the contortion act needed to drain the cartridge housing, what about this idea?

I'm sure there is a male-threaded sch 40 PVC piece that could fit the inside of the drain plug threads. From there, add a very short piece [straight], then a shut-off valve. then just stick a 90, 45 or whatever you need to make your turn, then simply push in remaining sch 40. It does not need to be glued since anything past the shut-off valve is not under pressure. if you ever needed to remove the male threaded plug, your short connecting piece and plug are all linear straight, so removing the plug, the three short piece could spin together after hand removing the angled piece and drain line. I wouldn't think that a hole of 2" to the shut off valve would have anything bearing on the cartridges performance.
Think how much easier it would be to just turn a valve 90 degrees and drain ?