I purchased a 200 sq ft cartridge filter system 2 months ago that is suppose to work for in-ground pools up to 49,000 gallons. The purchase was to replace my 20 year old DE filter system. My pool is 32,000 gallons and the water is staying well balanced and very clean. Currently I am having to clean the filter cartridge after every 12 hours of run time. The pressure goes from 6-16 lbs in 12 hours. When I take the filter cartridge out it does not look all that dirty. So, my questions are: Does anyone else have a setup like mine and what are your experiences with times between cartridge cleanings? Should I have to be cleaning the cartridge every 12 hours? I was hoping to get at least 2-3 weeks between cleanings, is that realistic expectation?
Frequency of cartridge filter cleaning
- Thread starter tony3138
- Start date
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- Tags
- filter cleaning
Quick filter cycles are almost always a chemical problem, not a mechanical problem. It is likely clogging with algae. It's microscopic and by the time you can see it, it's already way too late.
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to prove it.
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to prove it.
- May 27, 2021
- 1,254
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
12 hour filter cycles are too short and Newdude has pointed you in the right direction. Unfortunately in the grand scheme of things your filter is also undersized. It should have been sized closer to 400 sf for a pool of your volume.
Yes, I agree, I should have gone with one of the 425 sq ft filters. I am planning to switch this 200 sq ft filter out for a 425 sq ft filter but I wanted to find out roughly how long I should expect the filter to last between cleaning. Even though it is undersized shouldn't I get a week out of it between cleanings? The pool what looks crystal clear but I will have to do the test the Newdude recommended.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,618
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Thanks, I will do the overnight test. I didn't consider algae as the issue since the water is crystal clear looking, even in the 8' deep end. I now know the filter cartridge is undersized but how long would you expect the cartridge to go between cleanings?
Your yard and the time of the season will determine the filter cycles. Mother Nature pounds all of us in the spring and fall and we let's up for the mid season.
As noted, things are not right. My pool is smaller, and the cartridge filter is twice the size of yours, but last year I only cleaned it once, at the end of the year. And seem to be on the same track this year. Even undersized, you should be getting a long time between cleanings.
Do the overnight loss test as advised to see if it is the most common issue - algae you can't see plugging it up.
Add all your equipment information to your signature line. Get a valid test kit (only a Taylor 2006C or the TF-pro from TFtestkits.net ) and post results of all the tests when you get it. (Pool store and test strips have been proven over and over to be wildly wrong).
Let us know what you have added for chems to the pool, especially if any floc, clarifiers, algaecides or other pool store chems.
Pictures of your pool, and the equipment will help tremendously.
Do the overnight loss test as advised to see if it is the most common issue - algae you can't see plugging it up.
Add all your equipment information to your signature line. Get a valid test kit (only a Taylor 2006C or the TF-pro from TFtestkits.net ) and post results of all the tests when you get it. (Pool store and test strips have been proven over and over to be wildly wrong).
Let us know what you have added for chems to the pool, especially if any floc, clarifiers, algaecides or other pool store chems.
Pictures of your pool, and the equipment will help tremendously.
Tony,
The size of your filter is not the problem... Your water is...
With the filter you have, at a minimum, you should be able to go for several months between cleanings... In your location, I would think for the whole pool season.
The filter is not there to keep your pool algae free, that is what the proper CYA and FC ratio does.. By the time the filter starts capturing algae, you have already lost the algae war..
What is your CYA level and where do you try to keep your FC??
Thanks,
Jim R.
I keep the FC between 1-3. The CYA is my issue. I had the pool water tested at a pool store today and the CYA is at 170. Way too high. Now I have to find a way to lower it. I'm on a well so draining 20K gallons for water and refilling is not a good option. I was surprised that I had an algae issue nice the water is crystal clear. The filter was new in May and for the 1st month of use there was a lot of algae (cloudy/green water) so I wasn't surprise that I had to hose it off 2 times a week. Now with the water crystal clear I was expecting to go much longer between cleaning. I bought some TSP today and I'm going to soak the filter overnight to see if by any chance the filter is just so clogged up that it is not functioning as it should.
You have several issues.
It's OK, your exact situation brings us several newbs a day. We're really good at it.
You need a Test Kits Compared before you drain the bulk of your pool.
I installed a 200 sq ft cartridge filter system this Spring on my 30,000 sq ft in-ground pool. I know that it is a little undersized. Over the last 25 years I have used a DE filtering system. All I’m looking for today is what others experience with a similar setups. In particular, I would like to know how often you have to clean your filter and do you just spray it off or do a deep clean each time. Just trying to set me expectations.
Tony,
Did we not answer your original thread on this???
I think you should be able to run a whole season on a 200 Sq. Ft. cartridge filter, unless you have algae.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Did we not answer your original thread on this???
I think you should be able to run a whole season on a 200 Sq. Ft. cartridge filter, unless you have algae.
Thanks,
Jim R.
A good spray will clean them almost all of the time. I have 2.5 seasons on mine and haven't seen the need to deep clean them yet.
I use the Hydro jet on the regular garden hose. The fan tip gets in between the pleats great when aimed sideways. It's just enough oomph without risk of damage like would be with a pressure washer.
Your yard will determine how often you need to clean. You can have trees between you and your neighbor and it always blows your way. You'll need lots of cleanings and he'll need none. It's worse for all of us in the spring and fall, with a break mid season.
I use the Hydro jet on the regular garden hose. The fan tip gets in between the pleats great when aimed sideways. It's just enough oomph without risk of damage like would be with a pressure washer.
Your yard will determine how often you need to clean. You can have trees between you and your neighbor and it always blows your way. You'll need lots of cleanings and he'll need none. It's worse for all of us in the spring and fall, with a break mid season.
- Jul 4, 2012
- 801
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
I've got a 150 sq ft cartridge on a 21k gallon pool. I usually end up cleaning it about 6 weeks into the season, but that is because of the cottonwood tree a few houses over. If I'm more diligent using hair nets in my skimmer basket, maybe it's 8 weeks. Then cottonwoods are done and I can usually make it to end of season after that and I stay open into October.