Hopefully I'm asking this in the right place... I'm still on the fence between replacing my Pentair TR100 sand filter with the same model or going with a Jacuzzi® J-CQ420 cartridge filter. I'm down to the 11th hour on this and am wondering if anyone has an opinion they'd like to share? I know the cartridge filters produce clearer water overall, but are they hard to maintain? I'm new to all this and worry about biting off more than I can chew. The TR100 seems pretty easy. We've made our peace with each other over the last 1 1/2 years and I've replaced the gauges and top piece so am fairly comfortable with it. But the fiberglass is breaking down, so it's got to go....
Cartridge vs Sand filter
- Thread starter poolnewbie1234
- Start date
- May 23, 2015
- 25,667
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Cartridge filters are better for our climate because they don't require backwashing. You open them up, remove the elements and hose them off. Can be a bit gross sometimes, but that's it. A sand filter needs backwashing which means throwing water down the drain; around here, that's an expensive proposition.
I'm a pentair fan and I think the Clean & Clear line of cartridge filters are the best. Get the largest size filter you can possibly afford - oversizing the filter means longer intervals between cleanings.
I'm a pentair fan and I think the Clean & Clear line of cartridge filters are the best. Get the largest size filter you can possibly afford - oversizing the filter means longer intervals between cleanings.
- Mar 24, 2014
- 2,455
- Pool Size
- 32000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-55
I'm surprised you are considering a different filter type. Most people are comfortable with the first thing they have and never want to change.
I don't have any better info that what is laid out here: Pool School - Pool Filter Comparison
Actually, I thought of a point. How dirty is your pool? How often do you backwash now? If you have to backwash often you may want to stick with sand, as the cart will need to be cleaned/replaced regularly. If you go all season without a backwash now, I think a cartridge would be a good choice.
I don't have any better info that what is laid out here: Pool School - Pool Filter Comparison
Actually, I thought of a point. How dirty is your pool? How often do you backwash now? If you have to backwash often you may want to stick with sand, as the cart will need to be cleaned/replaced regularly. If you go all season without a backwash now, I think a cartridge would be a good choice.
IMO, backwashing a sand filter is much less hassle than rinsing cartridges. I have a cartridge system now that I intend to switch to sand if it ever needs replacing.
I would get a sand filter if I had a place to backwash. But I don't, so I got a cartridge filter. Its great, and I love it, but ...
Here's the pros and cons of each filter type:
Sand - Worst filtration, easiest to maintain. If consistently backwashed, you never even have to replace the sand
DE - Best filtration, requires regular DE recharging. Also, grids will eventually wear out and will need to be replaced. Also - see people on here each spring agonize over algae blooms
Cartridge - good filtration, excellent water pressure. But cleaning the cartridges is a chore.
Bottom line: if you're happy with the clarity of your water, I would definitely stick with the sand filter.
Here's the pros and cons of each filter type:
Sand - Worst filtration, easiest to maintain. If consistently backwashed, you never even have to replace the sand
DE - Best filtration, requires regular DE recharging. Also, grids will eventually wear out and will need to be replaced. Also - see people on here each spring agonize over algae blooms
Cartridge - good filtration, excellent water pressure. But cleaning the cartridges is a chore.
Bottom line: if you're happy with the clarity of your water, I would definitely stick with the sand filter.
I've had DE, sand and cartridge filters. Sand is all I'll ever use if I have a choice. I have two pools right now and both have sand filters.
Do you really need a new filter? Both of my old TR sand filters were losing the gel coat on top and shedding those itchy fibers. I sealed all the fibers down with two brush-applied coats of Rustoleum Hammered Silver. Looks great. No itching. No new filter required. I used a 1 qt can for each at about $13 in cost using a cheap brush from the dollar store. The hammered finish really hides the brush strokes. I did the base in Black Hammered Rustoleum I had leftover from painting my car trailer.
Here is my filter drying in the sun before re-assembly after I moved all my pool equipment to a better spot.
Do you really need a new filter? Both of my old TR sand filters were losing the gel coat on top and shedding those itchy fibers. I sealed all the fibers down with two brush-applied coats of Rustoleum Hammered Silver. Looks great. No itching. No new filter required. I used a 1 qt can for each at about $13 in cost using a cheap brush from the dollar store. The hammered finish really hides the brush strokes. I did the base in Black Hammered Rustoleum I had leftover from painting my car trailer.
Here is my filter drying in the sun before re-assembly after I moved all my pool equipment to a better spot.
I would get a cartridge filter. If you use the hairnets in your skimmer basket you barely clean your filter. I cleaned mine once from May to September. My PSI went up from 14 to 15. They are almost maintenance free. I see a lot of posts about broken laterals on peoples sand filters and sand in the pool. Too many moving parts in a sand filter for me. Cartridge is so simple. I spend 20 mins 1 time this summer cleaning it.
I have DE and had the same at previous house. If I have to ever replace, I will likely go with a large cartridge.
One advantage not mentioned above is that the cartridges have a lower head loss (and the multi-ports add more too), so higher flow rates are possible at the same pump speed. My 1HP 2 speed on low does not leave me a lot of buffer to keep the SWG operating. But, if I were to switch to a Cart filter, I likely would have fewer issues with flow reduction as the filter gets dirty.
Plus if you size it BIG, you only have to clean once a year.
One advantage not mentioned above is that the cartridges have a lower head loss (and the multi-ports add more too), so higher flow rates are possible at the same pump speed. My 1HP 2 speed on low does not leave me a lot of buffer to keep the SWG operating. But, if I were to switch to a Cart filter, I likely would have fewer issues with flow reduction as the filter gets dirty.
Plus if you size it BIG, you only have to clean once a year.
I'd love to be able to repaint it, and yours looks amazing... but my issue is that it's leaking water around the top. I think there's too much degradation to save the filter at this point. We've tried replacing the top piece and silicone to seal it, but water still beads up and runs down the sides all around the top each time it comes on.
I have to say, I like the idea of replacing 4 cartridges more than 600#s of sand every 5 years... hopefully by the time it's time to replace them they'll have dropped a bit in price.
I have to say, I like the idea of replacing 4 cartridges more than 600#s of sand every 5 years... hopefully by the time it's time to replace them they'll have dropped a bit in price.
I do love my cartridge filter. Does a great job. It really is super simple too inside. There's nothing to it. And I did size it large and haven't had to clean it even once all season. Also, i like being able to take it all apart and bring it inside for the winter. Better than having to leave it out due to 600lbs of sand. And the flow through it really is incredible, much more than the other filter types. Maybe a cartridge filter is the right choice....