Swimming Pool Filter Cartridge
Pool Water Maintenance
A swimming pool filter cartridge, just like a DE and sand filter is designed to keep your pool clean and clear.A cartridge pool filter for an ingound or above ground swimming pool is just as it says. It works the same as an air filter in a car. Dirty water passes through a filter and comes out clean. It’s a very simple process. Some cartridges are inexpensive and easy to replace but they don’t last as long and you’ll find yourself replacing them more often. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. There are other filters which are more expensive that may last 5 years or longer, depending on pool use and cleaning frequency. These pool filter cartridges are meant to run at a slightly lower pressure than sand filters so you’ll get more flow and less pressure on your swimming pool filter system. Really? No Backwashing?Just use a regular garden hose to clean, never a high pressure washer. There are also some very good cleaning agents you may want to look into. This involves getting a large bucket or trash can, adding water and the solvent or cleaning agent, placing the cartridge filter in the solution overnight, and spraying it off in the morning. Remember a good pair of heavy duty rubber gloves. A good filter rates between a
sand filter
and
DE pool filters.
Pros: Good filtration Easy maintenance No backwashing. Simply take the cartridge out, soak it in a cleaning agent, and spray off with a garden hose. Water savings
Cons: Pool cartridge filters will usually cost more initially than sand and DE pool filter Filter replacement every 5-8 years with regular maintenance
A good pool filter cleaner will keep your cartridges running like new. Cleaning your pool filter cartridge on a regular basis will ensure proper circulation and sanitation of your pool. There are many pool filter cleaners and accessories on the market so you have a wide variety from which to choose. Pool Filter Cleaner Products | Pool Filter Cleaning | Approx. Price | | Pool Filter Cleaner 1qt. | $9-$15 | | Water Wand Cartridge Filter Cleaning Tool | $14-$21 | | Spin-N-Free Pool Filter Cleaner | $90 | | Baquacil Pool Filter Cleaner | $90 | | Enzyme Pool Filter Cleaner | $16 | | Granular Pool Filter Cleaner 2lbs. | $16 | | Granular Pool Filter Cleaner 8lbs. | $60 |
As you can see, there's really not much you'll need to clean your pool filter cartridge except a pool filter cleaner and maybe a water wand. Some people even use ordinary muriatic acid to clean their swimming pool filter cartridges. Just be careful when using acid. You need the right mixture of acid to water because if you don't, well, you can say good-bye to your filter. Remember that safety comes first, so wear your goggles and gloves anytime you handle acid. How to Clean Your Swimming Pool Filter CartridgeYou need to clean your pool filter cartridges when the PSI reaches 8-10 PSI above the normal range when you first installed a new cartridge filter. If you're a lucky one and have a hot tub, clean the filter with a good pool filter cleaner based on usage. There is no backwashing any swimming pool filter cartridges so you need to remove and clean them. - First is to turn off the breaker to the pump and bleed the air out of the filter if you can. Remove the swimming pool filter cartridges from the housing following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Use a garden hose or a water wand wash down the swimming pool filter cartridge. Work from the top down, cleaning inside and outside. Getting the angle of the spray at a 45 degree angle will give you the best results. Clean in between all the pleats, every nook, very cranny, and every wrinkle.
NEVER use a high powered sprayer on your filter cartridge. It will destroy the pleats and you'll say some things I won't print here. Remember Christian Bale's meltdown on the "Terminator" movie? You'll probably sound like that. - Rinse again and again until all the dirt & debris is gone.
- Some people choose to let the swimming pool filter cartridge sit in the sun to dry, then remove any loose particles with a stiff paint brush. You don't need to do this but you can. I'll allow it. There, you have my permission.
- Get a large bucket with a tight-fitting lid to soak your filters. Use a pool filter cleaner as per directions.
Remember to read the directions on the bottle because not every pool filter cleaner is the same. Submerge the filter in this solution, then place the lid on the bucket. - Allow the filters to soak for a minimum of 24 hours, but 3-5 days will work the best. Baqua Spa makes some pretty good stuff
- Remove the filters and rinse in a bucket of clean water. Hold it at one end and dunk them up and down in the water. You should see all the contaminants coming from the swimming pool filter cartridge.
- Rinse your filters again with clean water.
- Optional Step: You could mix muriatic pool acid and water and allow the filters to soak one more time. In a 5 gallon bucket, mix 3 gallons of clean water to 1.5 quarts of pool acid. Place the filter in the bucket and allow to soak until it stops bubbling, or about 5 minutes. Take the filter out and rinse well.
Remember to add acid to water, never water to acid. Keep the container sealed tight when not in use. This step is important if you have an
algae bloom
- Rinse your filters again with clean water. Failure to remove all of the oils, contaminants, and pool filter cleaner solution may result in partial or complete failure of the filter
- Replace it within the filter's housing as per manufacturer's instructions.
- Turn on the breaker to the pump
I don't recommend using Diatomaceous Earth (DE) powder with any swimming pool filter cartridge. The powder will become trapped in the pleats of the cartridge filter and may shorten its life expectancy. As always, follow the manufacturer's instructions on pool cleaning tips for your swimming pool filter cartridge and use the proper pool filter cleaner.
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