On Sun, 27 May 2012 22:59:05 -0700, SMS wrote:

my filter pressure is right around 0 PSI on the gauge.
Wow. Mine is 20 psi at the start!


At one time I had a round trash can large enough to soak one filter at a
time in filter cleaning solution, whatever that really is.

I think they use tri sodium phosphate - whatever that is.
Googling, some said dish detergent works too.

Arklin K. wrote:
On Sun, 27 May 2012 11:54:55 -0700, Bob F wrote:

I use a 5 (or more) gallon plastic bucket. Some pool chemicals come
in larger sizes which might immerse the whole filter. Your pool
supply place might give you an empty.

The larger filter diameter is pretty big.

Let me google for the diameter given the part numbers:
Sta-Rite System 3 Model S8M150,
259 sqft cartridge 25022-0203S
191 sqft cartridge #25021-0202S
Total = 450 sqft /sqft = 125 gpm@50psi max.

OK. It looks like it's 18 inches in diameter and 20 inches long:
http://www.amazon.com/Sta-Rite-25022...mming-Filters/
dp/B004CTVXFQ

Large Filter (25022-0203): 259 Sq.Ft , Diameter: 18.25", Length:
20-1/8" Small Filter (25021-0202S): 259 Sq.Ft , Diameter: 25.5",
Length: 12.5"

That's a big bucket!

That's a huge filter.
Plastic "tote" or garbage can? Half a plastic barrel? Laundry tub? Bath tub -
one end, then the other? A hole in the ground lined with plastic?

On 5/27/2012 10:59 PM, SMS wrote:

I know that on my pool cleaner's cloth bag they say to wash it in the
washing machine using Oxyclean, so I might try Oxyclean on my filters
someday.

BTW, there are two things you can do to keep the filter cartridges
cleaner, longer.

1. Use a "skimmer sock" on the skimmer basket. Leslie's sell these. You
can also use 1 gallon paint strainers, which cost less. It's a lot
easier to rinse out the "sock" than taking the filter housing apart.
Just remember to clean it frequently (every few days or so) because it
catches a lot of stuff and can clog up, reducing the flow.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FKEFV0 or
http://www.lesliespool.com/Home/Filters-and-Filter-Supplies/Parts-and-Accessories/20732.html

2. Use a robotic pool cleaner, not a suction side or pressure side
cleaner. These are essentially another filter, the cloth bag captures a
lot of dirt and debris that doesn't end up in the filter. It's
magnitudes better than something like a Polaris, which is essentially a
leaf vac, that passes the dirt back into the pool, supposedly to be sent
to the filter, via the drain and skimmer. My nephew finally followed my
advice and got a Dolphin to replace his Polaris, and his pool is much
cleaner now.