Results for "filter conversion"

Three summers of hauling cartridges out of my filter housing, blasting them with a hose, and letting them dry in the backyard — and I'm at my breaking point. The funny thing is it only really feels unbearable when it's above 85°F outside, because that's when the algae pressure picks up and I'm pulling the cartridges every couple of weeks instead of once a month. During the cooler shoulder season the system works fine and I barely think about it.

My neighbor runs a sand filter and swears he just backwashes it every few weeks and forgets about it. Replacement cartridges for my setup run me somewhere around $100–$150 a pop, and they don't last as long as I'd like. I'm seriously considering making the jump to sand — but I want to know what that conversion actually costs, whether I'll regret the water clarity trade-off, and whether the long-term math actually works out in my favor.

Is converting from cartridge to sand a genuinely smart move for a medium-sized in-ground pool, or am I just reacting to a hot-weather frustration? What are the real trade-offs I should be thinking through before I commit?…more

Tried following my pool manual that says above ground pools can't handle salt water systems, but keep seeing people online who've successfully converted theirs. What equipment do I need and are there any compatibility issues I should know about? Also heard something about different chemical levels for salt pools - is that true?…more

Apparently the manual says to backwash my sand filter every few weeks, but that doesn't match what the pool store is telling me about maintenance. I have a sand filter system and the pool store told me I'd need to clean it sometimes, but they didn't really explain how often or what that involves.

I've been running the filter daily and the water looks pretty good so far, but I want to make sure I'm not missing something important. Should I be doing something regularly to keep the sand filter working properly? And how long does the sand itself typically last before it needs to be replaced?…more

Woke up to another $400 electric bill after replacing my pool filter, cleaning the skimmer baskets, checking all the connections — my single-speed pump is still draining my wallet on this 20,000-gallon inground pool. My utility bills have been astronomical running the pump 8-10 hours daily, and I'm trying to understand exactly how these newer pumps achieve such significant energy savings.

Specifically, I'd like to know what type of motor technology variable speed pumps use and how they're able to adjust their speed so precisely. My current pump seems to be either on full blast or off completely. What's the RPM range these variable speed units can operate in, and how does that translate to better flow control and lower energy costs? I want to make sure I understand the technology before investing in what seems like a more expensive upfront purchase.…more

Halfway through summer my pool cover started developing this weird slimy buildup underneath and now I'm panicking that I've been damaging my pool this whole time. They always claim the most expensive algaecides are essential and that I can't handle maintenance myself. I'm wondering if I can just cover my pool for the entire summer season to avoid all these costs and constant maintenance headaches.

I know it sounds lazy, but I'm looking for ways to cut down on the weekly chemical balancing and cleaning routine. Would keeping it covered actually save me money in the long run, or am I setting myself up for bigger problems? I'd rather do some DIY maintenance if needed than keep getting ripped off at the pool store.…more

This is the third time this season my cyanuric acid levels have mysteriously dropped after being perfect all spring and I'm done guessing what's happening. Now I'm opening for this year and my CYA is reading lower than where I left it. Do I really need to keep adding stabilizer every year, or did I mess up my test somehow?

I thought once you get your stabilizer levels right, you're basically set for life. But apparently that's not the case? Just want to make sure I'm not throwing money at chemicals I don't actually need.…more