Cartridge filter won't stop clogging

Jump to latest Follow Reply
G

gtturner1988

Member
Mar 25, 2019
5
Austin TX
Hello, I want to start off by thanking everyone here for all the helpful information provided to pool owners. I just moved to a home with a pool and it has been a HUGE help. That said, I have been running into a constant uphill battle with my cartridge filter that I have yet to figure out. My cartridge filter won't stop becoming clogged even though my pool is algae free and balanced. My first filter got so bad that I ended up buying a new set of filters about a month ago. They worked fine for about 2 weeks, however they are now clogging up exactly like the prior ones. A few details about my pool below.

12-15k gal pool
Ph - 7.4
TA - 70
Chlorine - 2-3ppm
Two skimmer baskets (main drain at the bottom)
Filters - 4x Pentair 178654 Cartridge Replacement Quad 60 Pool and Spa D.E. Filter
Return pump - Jandy E Pump pro series HP 2.21
Salt water pool - Algae free

I have given the filters a 5:1 part muriatic acid bath for about 24hrs and nothing changed. The filters still have a brown appearance to them even when I hose them off with a solid brass jet hose nozzle. The filters still get clogged within 48hrs, which requires my constant assistance. Anyone know what's going on here? I sort of at a crossroads. Thanks
 
1988,

The number one reason for a filter becoming clogged is algae, whether you can see it or not

Filter clogging is not a filter problem it is a chemical problem.

I suggest you check out our Pool School and see what we are all about... Trouble Free Pool

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Thanks Jim. When you say chemical are you implying the water stability levels? I say this before my levels have been steadily stable for months. Im using the Taylor Technologies K-2006 for testing.

Now I did use the SuperBlue water clarifier about twice now, which helps clump algae together. Do you think it's possible this could be the culprit?
 
gtturner1988 said:
Thanks Jim. When you say chemical are you implying the water stability levels? I say this before my levels have been steadily stable for months. Im using the Taylor Technologies K-2006 for testing.
Click to expand...

Good. Post a complete set of test results.

gtturner1988 said:
Now I did use the SuperBlue water clarifier about twice now, which helps clump algae together. Do you think it's possible this could be the culprit?
Click to expand...

That could clog a filter.

If you are going to hang around here for help please put details of your pool in your signature. That will help us help you better.
 
CYA - about 15 (lower than I expected, however chlorine levels never get below 2ppm before dispensing more liquid chlorine)
FC - 2ppm (no combined chlorine present)

I said algae free in the sense of pool clarity and not having to scrap the side of the pool except per week basis.

Also, I have an automatic pool cleaner that I moved debris with everyday, along with the skimmer baskets.

I will work on gathering the other level information.
 
CYA 15 is too low for a SWG pool. CYA should be in the 60-80 range. CYA acts as sun screen for CL. With almost no CYA the TX sun will vaporize the FC within a few hours after your SWG generates it.

What time of day do you do your FC test?

How long do you run your pump? What SWG cell do you have? And what % output is the cell set to?

Chances are you are right at the edge of an algae bloom. Algae grows during the day with the sunlight as your FC drops, the CL kills it at night, your filter is getting the dead algae. This is not where you want to be.

My recommendation is to add stabilizer to get your CYA up to 70. Use PoolMath to determine how much is needed. Do not pour the stabilizer into the skimmer as the directions sat. Use the "sock method" to put the stabilizer in a sock and dangle it by a return or put it in the skimmer to dissolve.

From Recomended Pool Chemicals

Solid/granular cyanuric acid (CYA) should be placed in a sock and the sock put in the skimmer basket or suspended in front of a pool return. After adding CYA you should leave the pump running for 24 hours and not backwash/clean the filter for a week. Squeezing the sock periodically will help it to dissolve faster. Test and dose chemicals in your pool assuming the amount of CYA added is in the pool according to Poolmath. CYA can be tested the day after it is fully dissolved from the sock.
 
Jandy Aquapure PLC1400 Cell is at 0%, because of the current temp. The plan was to raise CYA within the next month once is getting a little hotter, however likely within the week given the current level. Im only using liquid chlorine at the moment.
I run the about 12 per day, but sometimes 24hrs. I test randomly from early morning to right before dark. I generally test near nighttime after work though.
 
Even with liquid chlorine you should have CYA to at least 30. Get CYA to 30 now and raise it to 70 when you are ready to turn on the SWG.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
1988,

I suggest you never use Clarifier again.. Where do you think the "Clumps" end up.. :)

If this were my pool I would do two things...

I would clean the filter as soon as the pressure goes up by 25% over the clean pressure until you can get all of the clarifier out of the pool. This could be quite often..

I would also run what we call an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test (OCLT). This test will confirm if you have been able to remove all the algae... Basically, when dark, the chlorine should be stable and remain at the same level until the sun just comes up.. If the chlorine level goes down at night, then you still have algae.. Here is how to run the test... Trouble Free Pool

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
I'm curious why you think your filter is clogged? What is the starting pressure and what is it when it is "clogged"? A brown filter cartridge is not clogged simply because it is brown. They all go from white to brown.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply