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Pool Cartridge Filters and Their Usage

Guest Blogger — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:01:54 +0000

Everyone tries getting relief from the scorching heat of the sun in the summer time. Swimming pools or water parks offer the best comforts in this regard. But we must keep in mind that our health is crucial and thus it is important to be aware of whether the water in pool is filtered and clean enough or not. There are three basic types of swimming pool filters, namely D.E. Sand and other kind are pool cartridge filters. These filters need to chosen depending upon the state you live in, what kind of water supply do you receive, and what is the size of the pool that you own. To be on the safer side it is always beneficial to have the largest filter possible for your swimming pool.

Sand filters are usually the preferred kind, but a few people also use pool cartridge filters instead. Here we must be careful of the fact that volume of water that can be stored is the most important factor in choosing a cartridge filter, and should be looked at first before thinking of any other points. Pool cartridge filters are used generally in above ground pools and small sized pools. The cartridge filters have become more and more popular and regularly used in recent times. The pool cartridge filter in essence gathers cleaner air in your pool; traps dust particles of the order of a hundred microns and keeps your pool chemical free. It helps remove dirt and grime that has been absorbed in the swimming pool.

It is important to keep servicing these filters as they are highly involved in the cleaning process just like ordinary water filters that filter water for drinking purposes. The best way of cleaning pool cartridge filters is to first shut down the entire system, then carefully remove the cartridge from its hose, and clean it thoroughly. Then can prove to be a tedious task owing to the large size of filters in the market. But by doing this procedure just a couple of times in a year will help keep your filtering system in excellent shape and perfect working condition.

We must also remember to replace the cartridge in the filter after every five years at most, and this time frame will depend on the frequency of its use, and the maintenance which has been done on it. If the filter is small in size, then it can build up algae and tree debris every year, and its life will be cut down to only a couple of years.

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What Type of Above Ground Pool Filter is Best?

Guest Blogger — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:17:58 +0000

This is a question that we get asked often by our customers. There is really no strait answer on this as all three types, sand, DE and cartridge pool filters do a admirable job. Lets break it down and look at all three for the pros and cons with regards to an above ground pool filter.

The sand above ground pool filter has been around for a long time and are relatively easy to maintain. The require to be back-washed several times a year during the season. They do not use regular sand like you find on a ocean front beach, but a extremely fine sand. They do a great job and are similarly priced against DE filters. The filter media, (sand) stays inside the housing and can last for several years before needing to be changed.

DE Filters have been around a long time also. This is the type of pool filter I have. They require more maintenance than sand filters, but do a better job of filtering your pool water. They use a filter media that is called diatomaceous earth and is made from tiny fossilized water plants. Each time you backwash your pool, you flush out the media and need to add DE (diatomaceous earth) back in. Its very easy to do, but just requires another step. Out of the 3 types of an above ground pool filter, this one does the best job of filtering.

Cartridge filters are the last type of above ground pool filter. Priced against the other two, these tend to be the most expensive. They do a better job of cleaning your pool water than sand and almost as good as DE, with regards to filtering. The trade off here is that, many times you can go a whole season without any maintenance on them. When its time to clean the filter, you remove it from the filter housing and cleaning it by an ordinary garden hose. This can be done for a good number of cleaning sessions, but eventually you will need to replace it.

As I stated, all three versions of the above ground pool filter will do a good job. It is just up to personal preference. In my case, DE was the type that was installed with my swimming pool.

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What To Look For In Swimming Pool Filter Cartridges

Guest Blogger — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:18:33 +0000

Here are some great resources and tips to look for in swimming pool filter cartridges. When replacing them, many people do it in the springtime and when there pool season is over. I hope you find these helpful.

Swimming Pool Troubleshooting Guide

Great chart and guide on troubleshooting tons of items including swimming pool filter cartridges. From Algae growth to chlorine level to high, this is such valuable information.

Above Ground Pool Filter

You guessed it.. This is an article about above ground pool filters. Also included of course is swimming pool filter cartridges. Good information on all types of pool filters and the pros and cons of each..

How to Clean a Pool Filter Cartridge

Many times you can clean your swimming pool filter cartridges without having to replace them. This is a great article that tells you how to. Good reading on those who want to save a little green… Kudos…

Choosing The Right Pool Filter Cartridges For Your Pool

What type of filter should you use for your pool. This article explains. Sometimes swimming pool filter cartridges may not be the best choice for you. Read on and find out.

How To Choose The Best Swimming Pool Filter

Another great article on swimming pool filter choices. It’s almost like going down the cereal isle of your local supermarket with all these choices. I am exaggerating a little here of course. You get the picture though..

Pool Filter Choices

More types of pool filter choices whether it is D.E. Sand or swimming pool filter cartridges. Look no further for knowledge in deciding which is the best for you.

How To Clean a Cartridge Type Swimming Pool Filter

Excellent article on how to clean swimming pool filter cartridges. A step by step guide on what to do. From Tips, warnings to the tools you will need to do the job. Great, great article…

Great advice from all these articles on swimming pool filter cartridges or whatever choice in pool filters you want or may need. I hope you have found them as useful as I had researching them

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What Brand of Pool Pumps and Filters are best?

Guest Blogger — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:01:01 +0000

We purchased our swimming pool a couple of years ago. The equipment package that came with ours was all Pentair products. From our pump and filter, to our pressure side pool cleaner w/auxiliary pump, to our DE filter. Even our spa blower is from Pentair. We didn’t chose this brand, but it has operated flawlessly for us, and is very quiet operating. So I have thought to myself, did I get the good stuff. Are the pool pumps and filters I have are good?

Let first start with what types of pool pumps and filters are out there. There are 3 basic types of pool filters. Sand, DE and cartridge type. Each one has it advantages and dis-advantages, so lets take a look.

Sand filters as you may think, use sand as the filter media. Water is pumped through the sand filtering out debris. These filters have proven very reliable with very low maintenance and filter debris down to 20-100 micron range. Back washing on a regular basis when the water pressure high is needed along with changing the sand media every few years.

DE filters use DE (diatomaceous earth). This is the fossilized remains of diatoms which is a type of hard shelled algae. This is the most efficient type of pool filter and traps particles down to 3-5 microns. To give you an example, this is far to small for the naked eye to see. DE filters get back washed like sand filters, but each time, you have to add additional DE powder to coat the grids inside. It’s no big deal, and the DE powder is inexpensive.

Cartridge filters use exactly that, a cartridge type filter element. They need to be serviced regularly like the other two, and you can either clean or replace the cartridge. These types are considered the lowest maintenance, and many pools use these because of that. They filtering ability traps particles down to 25-100 microns, not as good DE and on the same level as sand.

The design and operation of pool pumps in looking in the different types and brands of pool pumps and filters are not different in design between all manufactures. They are designed to push around the water. There is no regular maintenance with the pumps as the motors and baskets are self contained and sealed.

All of the major brands of pool pumps and filters will do a fine job for you, as all of them do an equally great job. Some major brands are, Hayward, Sta-Rite and of course Pentair. Rest assured any one of these brands are top quality and you should have no problems with them

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How to Clean Pool Filter Cartridges

Guest Blogger — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:49:10 +0000

A lot of us have cartridge type pool filters. And when it comes time to service them, we just replace them. That is the easiest thing to do. Many of us only have to replace them just once a year. If you want to reduce your waste or save money you can clean them.

Most quality pool filter cartridges will have synthetic fiber or pleated fiberglass matt, not paper. If you have a paper cartridge, these cleaning procedures not work and will rip down the media rendering it useless.

First remove your filter from its assembly and while still wet, rinse it off with a garden hose. Do not let it dry first, because it will be difficult to clean. Then allow the filter(s) to dry thoroughly, best in direct sunlight if you can. Bright sunlight has great algaecide properties. After dry, use compressed air or shake and tap the filter on a surface, removing any loose particles or debris. Don’t worry if can’t remove all the debris, because you are only prepping the filter for its actual cleaning.

For this process to work its best, save a few of the filters before you start your cleaning process. Sanitizing the dirty pool filter cartridges takes time and doing a few of them at once makes it more efficient.

To sanitize, prep a bucket with a lid that is large enough to hold the filter(s). Mix a solution of one part sanitizer to six parts water. Place the filters in the solution and secure lid. The filter(s) soaking in this solution kills any microorganisms that may be lurking inside. Soak for 3-5 days for best results, 1 day being the least.

When it is time to remove filter, rinse in a bucket of clean water. Agitate and dunk the filter in and out of the water several times, until you see contaminates from the filter floating in the water. Again hang the filters out in bright sunlight to dry thoroughly. Brush off any containment that you see on the outside of the filter with a brush. Seal the bucket when not in use to keep the sanitizer fresh.

Next you need to prep a bucket with muriatic acid and water. This dissolves any minerals that may have accumulated. The mix for this is 1 part acid to 10 parts water. Soak your pool filter cartridges until the bubbling quits. Once done, you can rinse the acid off with a garden hose as you did in the beginning. Also keep this bucket sealed to keep the chemical concentrations correct for the next time.

Cleaning is an easy way to reduce landfill, and costs of maintaining your filter, following these easy and basic steps.