Filter Cartridges

We all know that swimming pool filters work to remove dirt from the water. Likewise, dirt caught within the filtering medium should be taken out as well to ensure that they will carry out their job as efficiently as possible.

There are three general types of pool filters available: DE or diatomaceous earth, cartridge, and sand. The first and the last type do not have pool filter cartridges. Obviously, a cartridge filter is composed of a set of pool filter cartridges which act as the filter medium.

Since filter mediums hold the dirt collected from the water, cleaning them is essential so that they will maintain their “filtering” capabilities. Since cartridge filters do not possess electrical switches or moving parts which could fail, knowing when it has reached its “end” is hard to establish. If your pool filter is chosen according to the size of the pump and has proper maintenance, determining when your pool filter cartridges have been fully exhausted can be based on the following factors: shorter cycles between filter cleanings; elevated pressure and lower flow rates of water; “serious” filter issues caused by tear in the filter medium.

There is no fixed schedule when cartridge replacement for swimming pool filter is supposed to be done. But you should understand that whenever the pool filter undergoes cleaning, its filtering efficiency is reduced. Generally, a pool filter cartridge usually needs to be within 2 or 5 years. It really depends on how much filtering it has done and how often it is cleaned. Pool filters that are rather small and collects a nice amount of algae and other materials may require their cartridges replaced after 1 or 2 years. A good-sized cartridge filter can continuously filter up to 6 months before requiring a cleaning job.

Pool filter cartridges may be replaceable, but they do not come cheap. Thus, make sure that you maximize their life spans by doing the following: clean each part as per the instructions on the manual; do not clean the filter medium using stiff brushes; proper chemical balance in the water should be maintained; differential pressure should not be allowed to go beyond 8 psi before cleaning your filter; alternate two cartridge sets upon cleaning; oils should be broken down with an enzyme treatment.

Sometimes, your pool filter cartridges may not really necessitate replacements. Simple cleaning is enough to bring them back into their efficient filtering state. Check the filter pressure every so often and make sure that they are at a pressure equivalent to that of a new cartridge. Some experts say that generally, 10 psi means your filter is in need of cleaning. But there are also some people that say pressure should not go over 8 psi. Whatever you choose it to be, just keep in mind that for better pool circulation, the pressure has to be as low as possible.

When cleaning the pool filter cartridges, ensure that you take them out according to the instructions on the manual. Most often, spraying water through a garden hose is enough to give the cartridges a nice cleaning. But in instances where water is exposed to other elements like oils, cartridge cleaning should include soaking them in certain cleaning solution for not less than an hour. Keeping them soaked overnight works best.

But if your pool filter has served you well enough for years, merely cleaning them may deprive your pool water of appropriate filtration. In short, pool filter replacement cartridge may be necessary to achieve better filtration.

Cleaning the pool filter is as important as cleaning the water. After all, how can safe water be obtained without an effective filter medium?