Hey pool owners sand filter or cartridge filter?

[ntburns22]

Our pump died on the 4th of July and DH and I are just going to replace the whole system. We currently have a sand filter and DH forgets the back flush is on countless times and we lose a lot of water. Refilling the pool is no easy task. We have to run a hose from our kitchen sink since our outside water is well water. I am leaning towards the cartridge filter system. Our pool is above ground and a 24ft round. I would love to hear what you have and how it works out for you. We are off to buy one in the next couple of days.

 

[JayCT]

When I replaced our filter a couple of years ago, I went with sand. I do not remember why but I think it had something to do with being easier to maintain. No cartridges to replace and sand can last for years. Plus I grew up with sand and the dealer couldn't give any good reason to switch.

This year I did change from chlorine to Baquacil (a non-chlorine pool maintainance system) and it has been great. Every week or two I put some chemicals in and run the filter occasionally, and the pool has never looked better. I do not even run the filter everyday. Our timer broke and I keep forgetting to go out and plug the filter in.

Anyway, how does your husband forget to turn off the backwash? I go out once in a great while and turn on the backwash. Let it run for a couple of minutes until the water clears, then switch it to rinse for a few seconds and finally switch it back to filter. All done and I have hardly lost any water. With all the rain we have had this year, I actually need to lose water to lower the water level. Good luck. Jay

 

[phorsenuf]

I have sand. The cartridges seem like a hassle.
Curious too, why so much backwashing? You really only need to do it every few weeks and only if it's real bad. Do you have a pressure gauge on it? That should indicate how often you need to backwash. Too much backwashing isn't a good thing. You actually want the sand to become dirty because it traps things better that way.

 

[Kim&Chris]

We just got the cartridge, and so far, it's been great. Just hose off the cartridge and you're good to go. Can't ask for an easier system.

 

[ntburns22]

Let's just say DH get distracted and forgets the pool is on backwash. He does do every couple weeks. Our old one didn't have sensor or anything. It came with the house when we bought it 2 years ago. The pump was 10 years old.
If it is done when I am not home let's just say I am without a kitchen sink for an hour or two.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

We have a cartridge filter. We just hose off the cartridges twice a day and we are good to go. No problems at all.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

twice a day???
We bought one of the newer cartridge filters last year. During spring startup I put a clean set of cartridges in and get the water clear. Then I take them out, soak them for a bit in dishwasher detergent, and hose them off really good.

Then I don't have to do anything to clean them for the rest of the summer AND we have a pretty large inground pool that is absolutely surrounded by trees and
other organic matter.

We had a DE system before. Now that really was a PITA to backwash.

 

[N.Bailey]

I don't think sand filters are as clean, but they're easier, so that's what we have. I guess I don't understand how you could forget that you've put it on backwash, though.

 

[ntburns22]

I don't think sand filters are as clean, but they're easier, so that's what we have. I guess I don't understand how you could forget that you've put it on backwash, though.

He starts another project. I have asked to handle to pool stuff but he wants to do it. He is only off 1 day week so he tries to get as much in as he can while the kids are napping so he can spend time with them. When he is working he is on the road or working currently every other 8 hours.

 

[we3disneygo]

we are having the same problem, my step dad is gone all week and comes home and try's to maintence the pool, they have a sand filter and it works nice, but I think the backwash might be stuck is that possible?? we just had to add water yesterday!? they have a 28ft. above ground pool.

 

[perdidobay]

I have an inground pool, and at our old house, we had a sand filter, I always stood there while I backwashed it, it didn't take that long for the water to run clear. It was easy to maintain... now at our new house we have cartridge system ( it has 4 cartridges). It is more hassle to open the pump up and take out and clean the cartridges, but I don't have to do it weekly like I did the backwashing. I take them out and clean them about 4 times a year.... when the pump pressure gets up past 10.
Once a year I soak them in a cleaning solution. It takes about 30 minutes to disassemble the pump, clean the cartridges and reassemble.
They both work equally well at keeping the pool clean.

 

[PghLybrt]

I would recommend sand, as the cartridges should be replaced every 3 years and can be quite costly (they should also be soaked at least twice a summer in a filter cleaner!). Also the ability to replace something broken on a sand filter is much easier. Just make sure you get an adequate size tank for your size pool. Most pool packages come with undersized filters (to keep consumers cost down)

I am glad to hear nice words about Baquacil ( I have been selling it for the past 20 yrs) but might I also recommend Revacil. The company actually makes the product (as opposed to just bottling it ) and their shock is 36% as opposed to 27% , it just works better. We sell both.

 

[Lanshark]

We have an inground pool that is 20 years old. When we moved here 9 years ago it had sand. We were having to backwash and add water frequently. When we had to replace everything we went with cartridge. DH pulls it out and hoses it off on occasion when the pressure gets high. I can say the water is MUCH clearer with the cartridge than it ever was with the sand. The downside is we buy a new cartridge every couple of years at a cost of about $80.

 

[ntburns22]

I went out yesterday and bought a Dirt Devil cartridge filter. I really think it will be better for us. Plus it is a lot lighter to move. DH when he closes the pool he moves the pump to the garage and that sand filter is pretty heavy.

 

[aprilgail2]

We have a cartridge filter. We just hose off the cartridges twice a day and we are good to go. No problems at all.

Did you really mean to type twice a DAY???? I only have to take mine out about once a month and I just take it out, pop a new one in (I have 3 I rotate between) and clean the old one so its ready for its next time in there....I use a scum sock on the skimmer basket and it really cuts down on what goes into the cartridge.