When is it time to change the filter?

[RexO]

My pool is now 1 year old. I recall the pool builder saying that I should change out the first filter after about 1.5 years, after that it should last about 3 years. I clean out my Pentair Clean & Clear 150 at least every 2 weeks. It is an open deck pool and the neighbors have big oak trees, so it sees plenty of leaves, pollen and other debris. I never see any problems with pressure building because I clean it frequently. Pollen has been a big problem recently and I have been battling a buildup of pollen. I have been vacuuming and brushing the pool and cleaning the filter frequently to catch up and keep the pool surface and water looking clean and clear. I have done several overnight chlorine loss tests to confirm their is no problem with algae...zero overnight chlorine loss. So my questions, should I be looking to replace the filter soon with all the work it has been doing in this first year? Or, what is the clear cut way to determine when it is time to change it out? By the way, I finally ordered a robot cleaner. Should have it early next week.

 

[Texas Splash]

Generally speaking, there is no need to replace the filter unless it's physically damaged or something has been done to it that would compromise its filtering ability. Examples would be if someone gave it an acid bath before thoroughly cleaning, or if they added a floc/clarifier that made it to the filter. But if all you did was use chlorine (or salt), and regular TFP recommended chemicals for pool chemistry, then your filter should still be fine. My current cart if about 4 years old or so and I'll use it until it falls apart like old underwear.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Rex,

Unfortunately, you live in the land of the "dinky" filters... Florida pool builders use miniature filters for some reason...

You really should not have to clean your cartridge every two weeks.. Are you doing it on a schedule or are you waiting on your filter pressure going up about 30% over your clean pressure??

How many skimmers do you have? Are you using hairnets in the skimmers? Hairnets will keep most debris out of your cartridges, but with a heavy pollen load you'd have to replace them almost everyday during the pollen season.

I have two sets of skimmer baskets.. I have a set that already has hairnets and the set in the pool.. When I go out to clean the skimmers, I install the ones with the hairnets and remove, clean and install hairnets on the removed ones making them ready to go back in the next time.. Takes about five minutes to do the whole things.. Hairnets cost about $10 bucks for a hundred of them.. Best thing since sliced bread..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[RexO]

Rex,

Unfortunately, you live in the land of the "dinky" filters... Florida pool builders use miniature filters for some reason...

You really should not have to clean your cartridge every two weeks.. Are you doing it on a schedule or are you waiting on your filter pressure going up about 30% over your clean pressure??

How many skimmers do you have? Are you using hairnets in the skimmers? Hairnets will keep most debris out of your cartridges, but with a heavy pollen load you'd have to replace them almost everyday during the pollen season.

I have two sets of skimmer baskets.. I have a set that already has hairnets and the set in the pool.. When I go out to clean the skimmers, I install the ones with the hairnets and remove, clean and install hairnets on the removed ones making them ready to go back in the next time.. Takes about five minutes to do the whole things.. Hairnets cost about $10 bucks for a hundred of them.. Best thing since sliced bread..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks Jim, I am cleaning the filter on a schedule, not waiting for any pressure increase. I normally clean it when I have a sense that it has been trapping a bunch of junk. Usually I find it pretty dirty way before there is any pressure build up. Probably I am overly diligent because I see how much my skimmer has been picking up. I have one skimmer on the 10K gallon pool. The hairnet idea is great. I will try it.

 

[RexO]

Generally speaking, there is no need to replace the filter unless it's physically damaged or something has been done to it that would compromise its filtering ability. Examples would be if someone gave it an acid bath before thoroughly cleaning, or if they added a floc/clarifier that made it to the filter. But if all you did was use chlorine (or salt), and regular TFP recommended chemicals for pool chemistry, then your filter should still be fine. My current cart if about 4 years old or so and I'll use it until it falls apart like old underwear.

Thanks. The filter still seems to be doing the job. I don’t use any additional chemicals. The bands of the filter are broken in a few places, but that would not seem to be a problem.

 

[SunnyP2000]

Rex,

Unfortunately, you live in the land of the "dinky" filters... Florida pool builders use miniature filters for some reason...

You really should not have to clean your cartridge every two weeks.. Are you doing it on a schedule or are you waiting on your filter pressure going up about 30% over your clean pressure??

How many skimmers do you have? Are you using hairnets in the skimmers? Hairnets will keep most debris out of your cartridges, but with a heavy pollen load you'd have to replace them almost everyday during the pollen season.

I have two sets of skimmer baskets.. I have a set that already has hairnets and the set in the pool.. When I go out to clean the skimmers, I install the ones with the hairnets and remove, clean and install hairnets on the removed ones making them ready to go back in the next time.. Takes about five minutes to do the whole things.. Hairnets cost about $10 bucks for a hundred of them.. Best thing since sliced bread..

Thanks,

Jim R.

are you referring to pool skimmer sock or actual hair net like this one Are the hairnets works just as good as sock?

edit : i found this answer.

 

[cowboycasey]

One set of my filters are 8 years old and the other is 6 years, I clean mine once a year and switch the ones that have been out for the year...

 

[Texas Splash]

Rex, for what it's worth, I'm one of those single-cart filter rowers as well. Just came with the pool before I knew better. It works fine, but I have to rinse mine off about every 3-4 weeks with clear TFP water. I use the Home Depot 1-Gal paint strainer nets as a skimmer sock to catch the small stuff. My current strainer netting is over a year old. Been a good routine for quite some time now.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Rex,

The downside to hairnets is that they are light and if you have a VS pump running slowly, the nets tend to float up.. I have a rock that goes in each basket.. It is very important to make sure that the rock is bigger than the skimmer pipe..

I love them...

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Pat,

I'll start the paperwork to get you, and your filter, deported to Florida later today...

Jim R.

 

[red-beard]

Thanks. The filter still seems to be doing the job. I don’t use any additional chemicals. The bands of the filter are broken in a few places, but that would not seem to be a problem.

I have 2 sets of filters and I rotate them. This way, I can get back up and running as soon as possible. I just threw out a set that was "damaged" from too much pool store magic chemicals (Before TFP). One set of filters I am presently using are definitely over 10 years old.

I like to soak clean and soak my filters. Clean first, then soak. Buy the cheapest dishwasher powdered detergent and mix about 1 cup to 50 gallons. You may not need to fill a 50 gallon drum to fit your filter.

On the bands around the filters, I have successfully used a hot melt glue gun to repair my filter bands. Again, they need to be dry, which implies a second set of filters.