Cartridge Filter vs. DE Filter?

[ZLJ]

I have a choice between the two filters below which I will be using for my 15,000 gallon in ground plaster pool. Which of the two filters (in bold below) would folks on this site recommend? I have heard DE filters water better than a cartridge filter, but the DE is a tad more work when cleaning the grid.

Lastly, I believe the Hayward DE7220 may not be one’s 1st choice because of its size being that my pool is only 15K gallons and I could get away with a smaller filter, but it’s important to note that regardless of which one I choose, I paying pennies on the dollar for the filter I decide to go with.

Jandy Cartridge Filter Cl Series 580 SF CL580 MSRP $2172.00 or Hayward DE7220 MSRP $1,200.00.

 

[ajw22]

Do you have environmental restrictions as to where DE can be disposed of?

I think that may be a reason to get the cartridge filter.

Otherwise I would say to flip a coin. There are pros and cons to both. Either one will serve you fine.

 

[wireform]

I think they are huge for the 15k pool. You will go a long time before cleaning with either one. The Hayward has a backwash capability of which the jandy needs to be taken apart. Filtration will be practically the same due to the size and just boils down practicality which I think the Hayward is a front runner needing only DE once in a blue moon and simply easier to maintain.

 

[ZLJ]

Do you have environmental restrictions as to where DE can be disposed of?

I think that may be a reason to get the cartridge filter.

Otherwise I would say to flip a coin. There are pros and cons to both. Either one will serve you fine.

I live in LA County, CA I am not aware of any restrictions on DE disposal.

 

[1poolman1]

I have a choice between the two filters below which I will be using for my 15,000 gallon in ground plaster pool. Which of the two filters (in bold below) would folks on this site recommend? I have heard DE filters water better than a cartridge filter, but the DE is a tad more work when cleaning the grid.

Lastly, I believe the Hayward DE7220 may not be one’s 1st choice because of its size being that my pool is only 15K gallons and I could get away with a smaller filter, but it’s important to note that regardless of which one I choose, I paying pennies on the dollar for the filter I decide to go with.

Jandy Cartridge Filter Cl Series 580 SF CL580 MSRP $2172.00 or Hayward DE7220 MSRP $1,200.00.

If you want to go that large, you might want to look at the Hayward 520 instead. About $400 less and you would never miss the extra 60 sq. ft. The first time you have to replace a pressure guage you'll see why.

 

[DavidArmenB]

Totally personal preference and most people prefer cartridge for numerous reasons but I personally would pick DE because nothing filters as well as DE when it comes to the smallest of particles.

Here are rough numbers for filtration perfomance
Sand - 20 to 40 microns (micrometers)
Cartridge - 10 to 20 microns
DE - 1 to 6 microns

 

[Jimrahbe]

ZLJ,

Here is my story that I have told many times before..

I have two rent house pool that have DE filters. So, when I built the pool at my house, I really, really wanted a DE filter. But, my City will not allow DE unless it is plumbed into the sewer, which we could not do, so I was "forced' to go with a large cartridge filter...

That was about 9 or 10 years ago... Not going with DE is the best thing that ever happened to me... No one of earth can look at my pool and tell me what kind of filter I have. Cartridge filters have dirt simple plumbing, no backwash or MPV to leak or go bad, very low back pressure, and the best thing, not having to deal with DE. People that love their DE filters are stuck in the past, and have never used large cartridge filters.

If I built 10 more pools they would all have large cartridge filters.

The key, in my mind is having a large VS pump combined with a large cartridge filter. I could go a full year, or more, between cleanings, but I clean the cartridges twice a year. Once in the Spring and once Fall. In normal operation, I only have about 1 lb. of filter back pressure using a 30 lb. gauge.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wireform]

I can't agree more with Jim^^^^^
but just a mention this week I just opened a swamp (loooonnnnggg story with these people and it was a lesson learned very well for my forever future going forward) but customer has a Hayward DE regular grid style filter and it cleard the water real fast although painfully with many backwash's but the the thought in my mind was that if I had to open up the cartridge filter all those times instead would of killed me. Yes cartridges do very nicely and very large ones give you more peace between cleanings.

 

[Jimrahbe]

@wireform

I should have added that cartridge filters work better for those people that don't routinely get algae, and in places that don't normally close their pools in the winter, and then open to a swamp..

I totally agree that clearing a pool of algae would be much quicker, and easier, if a Sand or DE filter is used.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[BDY]

+1 for low maintenance oversized cartridge filter.

Not sure you will ever notice the difference in particulate if you are in a windy or dusty area. The pool will fill up with new dust as fast as any filter clears it. Imho….

 

[Newdude]

I cleaned this swamp with large carts and only cleaned then afterwards just because






I drained half the pool but still fought 17k gallons worth and the carts had next to no pressure increase and looked tons better than a typical after spring cleaning.

The truth of the matter is that a sand filter removes particles about 3x smaller than the eye can see. The other two have bragging rights only.

Then consider that as any filter gets dirty, the crud traps finer crud. Ultimately, your yard determines how fine you can filter, as that remains constant no matter the filter. The sand filter just takes a bit longer to get there when clean. It does get there though.

 

[VinnyinNJ]

I've only have had AG pools, last filter was DE and I thought it was great. It had grids not fingers and I would get a month to 1 1/2 months out of a charge. Every so often I bumped it when I felt the pressure was lower, and would do that until bumping no longer worked. The few times I had water issues it cleaned the pool up really nice and fast. And yes it did clog fast during those times.

Our new pool has a sand filter only for 2 reasons 1) The store was a Hayward dealer and I didn't want to deal with fingers, I wanted grids and 2) our township now considers DE as hazardous waste and I didn't want to deal with it.

I never found my DE filter hard to deal with, maybe openened it once during the season in the 20 years we had it and if I remember correctly it was because I put too much DE in it during a recharge. At least on an AG pool it just had a input from the pool and output to the pool, probably different with IG.

 

[ZLJ]

I've only have had AG pools, last filter was DE and I thought it was great. It had grids not fingers and I would get a month to 1 1/2 months out of a charge. Every so often I bumped it when I felt the pressure was lower, and would do that until bumping no longer worked. The few times I had water issues it cleaned the pool up really nice and fast. And yes it did clog fast during those times.

Our new pool has a sand filter only for 2 reasons 1) The store was a Hayward dealer and I didn't want to deal with fingers, I wanted grids and 2) our township now considers DE as hazardous waste and I didn't want to deal with it.

I never found my DE filter hard to deal with, maybe openened it once during the season in the 20 years we had it and if I remember correctly it was because I put too much DE in it during a recharge. At least on an AG pool it just had a input from the pool and output to the pool, probably different with IG.

Thank you

 

[moomoo]

+1 for low maintenance oversized cartridge filter.

Not sure you will ever notice the difference in particulate if you are in a windy or dusty area. The pool will fill up with new dust as fast as any filter clears it. Imho….

in West TX over here, where it gets mighty dusty and windy....so having the same debate on the filter choice. Anecdotally from friends, they enjoy sand over cartridge. PB trying to convince with cartridge due to high cost to replace the sand. Saying needs to be replaced every 2-3yrs or so @$2500 cost(600# worth).

 

[ajw22]

Saying needs to be replaced every 2-3yrs or so.

That is BS.

Sand in a sand filter can last for many years if properly cared for.

Sand Filter Use and Care - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I live in LA County, CA I am not aware of any restrictions on DE disposal.

Check for water restrictions. Without the need for backwashing, cartridge filters waste less water.