Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

I have a Hayward C1200 catridge filter and it's a hassle to clean the
filter.

I have been reading about sand filters and DE filters, so I decided to do
some research and they don't seem to be clear winners either.

The sand filter requires back washing, but I don't know how clean you really
can achieve by back washing alone. Seems to me one may have to replace all
the sand in there once in a while. Also it is not clear to me if the water
has to be travelling through sand to get to the bottom, will the filtration
be fast enough to circulate the water?

The DE filter requires the powder to be added, since the powder are so fine,
will it again cause the water movement to be inefficient?

Right now after a while my pump won't prime because the catridge gets a lot
of grease and dirt and I have to wash the filter thoroughly for the pump to
prime. I hate cleaning catridges, it is a very laborious task because you
have to reach into each fold to clean the interior surface area and this is
no small task. If you don't clean it enough the grease and dirt will again
impede the flow and water does not circulate as quick as possible.

There is no perfect filter?

MC

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

"MiamiCuse" wrote in message
...
I have a Hayward C1200 catridge filter and it's a hassle to clean the
filter.

I have been reading about sand filters and DE filters, so I decided to do
some research and they don't seem to be clear winners either.

The sand filter requires back washing, but I don't know how clean you
really can achieve by back washing alone. Seems to me one may have to
replace all the sand in there once in a while. Also it is not clear to me
if the water has to be travelling through sand to get to the bottom, will
the filtration be fast enough to circulate the water?

The DE filter requires the powder to be added, since the powder are so
fine, will it again cause the water movement to be inefficient?

Right now after a while my pump won't prime because the catridge gets a
lot of grease and dirt and I have to wash the filter thoroughly for the
pump to prime. I hate cleaning catridges, it is a very laborious task
because you have to reach into each fold to clean the interior surface
area and this is no small task. If you don't clean it enough the grease
and dirt will again impede the flow and water does not circulate as quick
as possible.

There is no perfect filter?

MC

I have a DE filter, and I'm happy with it. No matter what you have, you
either have the option to pay someone to take care of it, or learn yourself
and spend the time it takes to keep the pool right.

You sound like someone who needs to hire a pool guy.

Steve

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

"Steve B" wrote in message
...

"MiamiCuse" wrote in message
...
I have a Hayward C1200 catridge filter and it's a hassle to clean the
filter.

I have been reading about sand filters and DE filters, so I decided to do
some research and they don't seem to be clear winners either.

The sand filter requires back washing, but I don't know how clean you
really can achieve by back washing alone. Seems to me one may have to
replace all the sand in there once in a while. Also it is not clear to
me if the water has to be travelling through sand to get to the bottom,
will the filtration be fast enough to circulate the water?

The DE filter requires the powder to be added, since the powder are so
fine, will it again cause the water movement to be inefficient?

Right now after a while my pump won't prime because the catridge gets a
lot of grease and dirt and I have to wash the filter thoroughly for the
pump to prime. I hate cleaning catridges, it is a very laborious task
because you have to reach into each fold to clean the interior surface
area and this is no small task. If you don't clean it enough the grease
and dirt will again impede the flow and water does not circulate as quick
as possible.

There is no perfect filter?

MC

I have a DE filter, and I'm happy with it. No matter what you have, you
either have the option to pay someone to take care of it, or learn
yourself and spend the time it takes to keep the pool right.

You sound like someone who needs to hire a pool guy.

Steve


I do not have the luxury of hiring a pool guy. I have to do it myself
because my pool is not accessible to anyone, the house is a wrap around
house with the pool in the central courtyard. To get to the pool one must
have the keys to the front and back doors. I am not yet comfortable to hand
my door keys and security alarm code to a pool guy, and I am too busy to sit
around and wait for the pool guy to come by (if I sit and wait might as well
take care of it myself).

I am just not sure the catridges are meant to be cleaned between each fold.
Now if there are catridges I can disassemble and unfold it and spread it out
so I can hose it down, then it's easier but with the standard catridges I
don't know how you can really thoroughly clean it, it seems an impossible
task to me.

MC

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

On May 4, 6:57 pm, "MiamiCuse" wrote:
I have a Hayward C1200 catridge filter and it's a hassle to clean the
filter.

I have been reading about sand filters and DE filters, so I decided to do
some research and they don't seem to be clear winners either.

The sand filter requires back washing, but I don't know how clean you really
can achieve by back washing alone. Seems to me one may have to replace all
the sand in there once in a while. Also it is not clear to me if the water
has to be travelling through sand to get to the bottom, will the filtration
be fast enough to circulate the water?

The DE filter requires the powder to be added, since the powder are so fine,
will it again cause the water movement to be inefficient?

Right now after a while my pump won't prime because the catridge gets a lot
of grease and dirt and I have to wash the filter thoroughly for the pump to
prime. I hate cleaning catridges, it is a very laborious task because you
have to reach into each fold to clean the interior surface area and this is
no small task. If you don't clean it enough the grease and dirt will again
impede the flow and water does not circulate as quick as possible.

There is no perfect filter?

MC

Maybe not. My sand filter (dunno about DE) is relatively
straightforward: Backwash, and start filtering again. Yes, after a
while, the sand loses its edges, requiring replacement. It's been 7
years on the same sand for me, however. Now the hot tub cartridge
filter is another story...I soak it in a solution of laundry detergent
when it get really grunged, then spray the pleats clean. Ain't
alt.home.repair great? Tom

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

"tom" wrote in message
oups.com...
On May 4, 6:57 pm, "MiamiCuse" wrote:
I have a Hayward C1200 catridge filter and it's a hassle to clean the
filter.

I have been reading about sand filters and DE filters, so I decided to do
some research and they don't seem to be clear winners either.

The sand filter requires back washing, but I don't know how clean you
really
can achieve by back washing alone. Seems to me one may have to replace
all
the sand in there once in a while. Also it is not clear to me if the
water
has to be travelling through sand to get to the bottom, will the
filtration
be fast enough to circulate the water?

The DE filter requires the powder to be added, since the powder are so
fine,
will it again cause the water movement to be inefficient?

Right now after a while my pump won't prime because the catridge gets a
lot
of grease and dirt and I have to wash the filter thoroughly for the pump
to
prime. I hate cleaning catridges, it is a very laborious task because
you
have to reach into each fold to clean the interior surface area and this
is
no small task. If you don't clean it enough the grease and dirt will
again
impede the flow and water does not circulate as quick as possible.

There is no perfect filter?

MC

Maybe not. My sand filter (dunno about DE) is relatively
straightforward: Backwash, and start filtering again. Yes, after a
while, the sand loses its edges, requiring replacement. It's been 7
years on the same sand for me, however. Now the hot tub cartridge
filter is another story...I soak it in a solution of laundry detergent
when it get really grunged, then spray the pleats clean. Ain't
alt.home.repair great? Tom


Do you pry open each pleat and spray it clean one at a time?

Thanks,

MC

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

On Fri, 4 May 2007 21:57:10 -0400, "MiamiCuse"
wrote:

I have a Hayward C1200 catridge filter and it's a hassle to clean the
filter.

I have been reading about sand filters and DE filters, so I decided to do
some research and they don't seem to be clear winners either.

The sand filter requires back washing, but I don't know how clean you really
can achieve by back washing alone. Seems to me one may have to replace all
the sand in there once in a while. Also it is not clear to me if the water
has to be travelling through sand to get to the bottom, will the filtration
be fast enough to circulate the water?

The DE filter requires the powder to be added, since the powder are so fine,
will it again cause the water movement to be inefficient?

Right now after a while my pump won't prime because the catridge gets a lot
of grease and dirt and I have to wash the filter thoroughly for the pump to
prime. I hate cleaning catridges, it is a very laborious task because you
have to reach into each fold to clean the interior surface area and this is
no small task. If you don't clean it enough the grease and dirt will again
impede the flow and water does not circulate as quick as possible.

There is no perfect filter?

MC

Get a sand filter. The biggest you can afford/fit. Yes, you will need
to replace the sand maybe every 5 years probably longer. Providing
everything else is OK the sand filter will scrub your water perfectly
clean.

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

MiamiCuse writes:

There is no perfect filter?

Filtering necessarily costs flow. That's the price of purity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_...thermodynamics

Cartridge filters are for suckers. That's what the pool contractor puts
in because it is cheap. Not cheap if your time doing dirty work is
worth anything to you.

Sand filters work. They work better than cartridge, and are easiest to
use. Filter sand is cheap and readily available at retail. It's just
ordinary sand that's been screened to certain grain size population.
Mine is 30 years old, and has had its sand replaced several times, but
still works like new.

DE filters work the best but require more attention. DE is a perfect
filter medium, ready-made tiny screens, not like sand at all:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatoms
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth

Based on what you say, I would recommend a sand filter.

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

"MiamiCuse" wrote in message
...
I have a Hayward C1200 catridge filter and it's a hassle to clean the
filter.

I have been reading about sand filters and DE filters, so I decided to do
some research and they don't seem to be clear winners either.

The sand filter requires back washing, but I don't know how clean you
really can achieve by back washing alone. Seems to me one may have to
replace all the sand in there once in a while. Also it is not clear to me
if the water has to be travelling through sand to get to the bottom, will
the filtration be fast enough to circulate the water?

The DE filter requires the powder to be added, since the powder are so
fine, will it again cause the water movement to be inefficient?

Right now after a while my pump won't prime because the catridge gets a
lot of grease and dirt and I have to wash the filter thoroughly for the
pump to prime. I hate cleaning catridges, it is a very laborious task
because you have to reach into each fold to clean the interior surface
area and this is no small task. If you don't clean it enough the grease
and dirt will again impede the flow and water does not circulate as quick
as possible.

There is no perfect filter?

MC


One more question. Suppose I buy a new filter and pump, what do I do with
the existing Hayward Clear Plus C-1200RE and 3/4HP superpump?

Does it make sense to route them in series? A catridge filter then the DE
filter with two pumps, other than this will cosume a lot more power, will
this not clean better?

MC

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

MiamiCuse writes:

One more question. Suppose I buy a new filter and pump, what do I do
with the existing Hayward Clear Plus C-1200RE and 3/4HP superpump?

I would keep them for spares, to swap in if your primary equipment fails.
Then you can take some time to make repairs, instead of paying high prices
for urgent service.

Does it make sense to route them in series? A catridge filter then
the DE filter with two pumps, other than this will cosume a lot more
power, will this not clean better?

No, it will not clean better. You're paying to send it through a good
filter, why twice to put it through a poorer one? Depending on what's
getting filtered out, the cartridge will catch larger stuff that DE alone
would have caught, and the DE will catch everything smaller, assuming
they're plumbed in that order. Cleaning the DE less often is the only
potential benefit, not worth the expense.

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

On May 4, 9:59 pm, "MiamiCuse" wrote:
"tom" wrote in message

oups.com...





On May 4, 6:57 pm, "MiamiCuse" wrote:
I have a Hayward C1200 catridge filter and it's a hassle to clean the
filter.

I have been reading about sand filters and DE filters, so I decided to do
some research and they don't seem to be clear winners either.

The sand filter requires back washing, but I don't know how clean you
really
can achieve by back washing alone. Seems to me one may have to replace
all
the sand in there once in a while. Also it is not clear to me if the
water
has to be travelling through sand to get to the bottom, will the
filtration
be fast enough to circulate the water?

The DE filter requires the powder to be added, since the powder are so
fine,
will it again cause the water movement to be inefficient?

Right now after a while my pump won't prime because the catridge gets a
lot
of grease and dirt and I have to wash the filter thoroughly for the pump
to
prime. I hate cleaning catridges, it is a very laborious task because
you
have to reach into each fold to clean the interior surface area and this
is
no small task. If you don't clean it enough the grease and dirt will
again
impede the flow and water does not circulate as quick as possible.

There is no perfect filter?

MC

Maybe not. My sand filter (dunno about DE) is relatively
straightforward: Backwash, and start filtering again. Yes, after a
while, the sand loses its edges, requiring replacement. It's been 7
years on the same sand for me, however. Now the hot tub cartridge
filter is another story...I soak it in a solution of laundry detergent
when it get really grunged, then spray the pleats clean. Ain't
alt.home.repair great? Tom

Do you pry open each pleat and spray it clean one at a time?

Thanks,

MC- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Heck, no. Too much worry. Tom

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

"MiamiCuse" wrote in message
...

"Steve B" wrote in message
...

"MiamiCuse" wrote in message
...
I have a Hayward C1200 catridge filter and it's a hassle to clean the
filter.

I have been reading about sand filters and DE filters, so I decided to
do some research and they don't seem to be clear winners either.

The sand filter requires back washing, but I don't know how clean you
really can achieve by back washing alone. Seems to me one may have to
replace all the sand in there once in a while. Also it is not clear to
me if the water has to be travelling through sand to get to the bottom,
will the filtration be fast enough to circulate the water?

The DE filter requires the powder to be added, since the powder are so
fine, will it again cause the water movement to be inefficient?

Right now after a while my pump won't prime because the catridge gets a
lot of grease and dirt and I have to wash the filter thoroughly for the
pump to prime. I hate cleaning catridges, it is a very laborious task
because you have to reach into each fold to clean the interior surface
area and this is no small task. If you don't clean it enough the grease
and dirt will again impede the flow and water does not circulate as
quick as possible.

There is no perfect filter?

MC

I have a DE filter, and I'm happy with it. No matter what you have, you
either have the option to pay someone to take care of it, or learn
yourself and spend the time it takes to keep the pool right.

You sound like someone who needs to hire a pool guy.

Steve


I do not have the luxury of hiring a pool guy. I have to do it myself
because my pool is not accessible to anyone, the house is a wrap around
house with the pool in the central courtyard. To get to the pool one must
have the keys to the front and back doors. I am not yet comfortable to
hand my door keys and security alarm code to a pool guy, and I am too busy
to sit around and wait for the pool guy to come by (if I sit and wait
might as well take care of it myself).

I am just not sure the catridges are meant to be cleaned between each
fold. Now if there are catridges I can disassemble and unfold it and
spread it out so I can hose it down, then it's easier but with the
standard catridges I don't know how you can really thoroughly clean it, it
seems an impossible task to me.

MC


Alright, then, if you're stuck with the job, I'll help you. Look at your
pool filter cartridge. Some have a dome on the top, and if you stick a
broom stick or pointed rod inside, it will rest on the impression in the top
of the dome at top. You can then shoot a stream of water on it with a hand
sprayer, and it will spin around, throwing off the gook that needs to come
out. It is also a good idea to soak them in chemical once in a while, even
a little bleach. Get you a big trash can with a lid, and re use the water,
as some of the chemicals are expensive. If there's a hole in the top of the
cartridge and you can't use the broom handle trick, look around and buy some
old type of turntable, perhaps at a yard sale, and sit it on there. You
want it to spin while you are spraying it. It's messy, but it's fun. Rinse
it a lot, that's dead skin and old farts you are washing off there.

Steve

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

"MiamiCuse" wrote

Does it make sense to route them in series? A catridge filter then the DE
filter with two pumps, other than this will cosume a lot more power, will
this not clean better?

MC


Not necessarily. What will probably happen is that it will explode at the
weakest point.

Steve

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

so nice.

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

"Richard J Kinch" wrote in message
. ..
MiamiCuse writes:

One more question. Suppose I buy a new filter and pump, what do I do
with the existing Hayward Clear Plus C-1200RE and 3/4HP superpump?

I would keep them for spares, to swap in if your primary equipment fails.
Then you can take some time to make repairs, instead of paying high prices
for urgent service.

Does it make sense to route them in series? A catridge filter then
the DE filter with two pumps, other than this will cosume a lot more
power, will this not clean better?

No, it will not clean better. You're paying to send it through a good
filter, why twice to put it through a poorer one? Depending on what's
getting filtered out, the cartridge will catch larger stuff that DE alone
would have caught, and the DE will catch everything smaller, assuming
they're plumbed in that order. Cleaning the DE less often is the only
potential benefit, not worth the expense.

Makes sense. I just thought I would prolong the filter and the pump's life.
Seems a waste to put that all into storage and let it sit. May be I should
split the incoming line into a "T" with a valve and just plumb both in
parallel - one to old filter and one to new filter so it would be ready to
be a spare when necessary. I do have the room to do that - all it would
take is an electrical line and a few new valves. Just thinking out loud,
probably not a good idea.

MC

Swimming Pool Filter Selection Question
 

MiamiCuse writes:

May be I should
split the incoming line into a "T" with a valve and just plumb both in
parallel - one to old filter and one to new filter so it would be
ready to be a spare when necessary.

Well, fine, but beware of the madness of plumbing. It can be hard to stop
once you get started. Before you know it, you'll have caged yourself in
where you can't reach the saw to cut yourself out.