Results for "pool filter"

Filters Medium 45 minutes 205 👍 1

Do I Need DE in My Pool Filter? Diagnosis & Solutions

I turned to three different pool techs about my 2019 Pentair FNS Plus cartridge system and got three completely different answers about adding DE. My kids spend hours in the pool every day during summer, and I want to make sure the water is as clean and safe as possible for them.

I'm honestly not even 100% sure what type of filter system we have - the previous homeowner left some DE powder in the pool shed, but I don't know if I'm supposed to be using it or not. How do I figure out if my specific filter needs DE, and if so, what's the right way to add it? I just want crystal clear water that's safe for my children to swim in every day.…more

Read answer

Maintenance Easy 45 minutes 198 👍 1

Can You Vacuum Pool on Backwash? Proper Filter Settings

Already tried everything but my pool filter clogs every time I vacuum, the water won't clear up, AND I can't figure out the right filter setting.
Should I have it on backwash while I vacuum, or use a different setting? Don't want to mess anything up.…more

Read answer

Filters Medium 15 minutes 393 👍 1

How DE Pool Filter Works: Complete Diagram & Guide

Pulled out my DE filter for spring opening and once again I'm staring at this diatomaceous earth powder wondering how it actually works to clean my pool. I want to make sure I understand what's happening inside the filter tank and how small of particles it can actually remove. Is it really better than other filter types for keeping harmful bacteria and debris out of the pool?

I keep hearing that DE filters are the best for water quality, but I don't really understand the process of how they actually remove contaminants. I want to make sure my kids are swimming in the cleanest possible water.…more

Read answer

Editor's Pick

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum (2026)

Wall-climbing scrubber brush and Wi-Fi control — ideal for in-ground pools up to 40 ft. View on Amazon →

Sponsored

Filters Medium 2-3 hours 1,299 👍 8

Pool Filter Balls vs Sand: Complete Replacement Guide

Noticed my pool filter isn't performing like it used to — can't afford professional service right now, so is switching from sand to filter balls a DIY job under $100? The pool store mentioned they might work better than traditional sand, but I want to make sure before I make the switch.

Are filter balls actually a good replacement for sand in my filter system? I'm curious about things like how well they filter compared to sand, if they're easier to work with, and whether the maintenance routine changes at all. Any guidance would be really helpful!…more

Read answer

Filters Easy 30 minutes 461 👍 1

Do I Need to Wash Pool Filter Sand? Complete Guide

After years of perfect pool maintenance, my filter sand suddenly turns cloudy and clogs up every time the temperature hits 85 degrees outside. The new sand I bought looks pretty dusty and I'm wondering if I need to clean it first before putting it in the filter system.

I'm really concerned about water quality and don't want to introduce anything harmful or make the water cloudy for the kids. Should I be washing this sand before installation, or is it ready to go straight from the bag? What's the safest approach here?…more

Read answer

Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 449 👍 1

Can You Run Pool Pump Without Filter? Risks & Solutions

Somewhere between my husband questioning why our pool pump is running without a filter cartridge and my growing panic, I'm wondering if I'm actually damaging something. My filter cartridge is completely clogged and I need to replace it, but my kids are asking to swim this afternoon. I'm wondering if I can just run the pump without any filter for a few hours until I can get to the pool store.

I know this probably isn't ideal, but would it cause any serious damage to the pump or create unsafe water conditions? I don't want to risk my children's safety, but I also don't want to damage our equipment if there's a way to manage this temporarily.…more

Read answer

Filters Medium 45 minutes 313 👍 1

How to Clean DE Pool Filter: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

I woke up to a $180 quote for cleaning my DE pool filter and I'm wondering if this is something I can tackle myself as a new homeowner. The previous owner left me with a DE filter system and I'm trying to figure out the maintenance routine. The pool store told me I need to backwash regularly, but they weren't super clear on the details.

How often should I be backwashing? And do I need to do anything else besides just hitting the backwash cycle? I want to make sure I'm taking proper care of the filter so I don't mess anything up in my first season as a pool owner.…more

Read answer

Filters Medium 2-4 hours 285 👍 0

Can You Run Pool Filter Without Sand? Safe Alternatives

Before I discovered my sand filter was the culprit, my pool was eating through chlorine way faster than it should even with perfect 2.5 ppm levels and 7.4 pH. When I opened up the filter tank to check, I discovered that most of the sand has somehow disappeared - there's maybe 20% left at the bottom.

I'm waiting for a sand delivery that won't arrive for another week, but my pool is getting cloudier by the day. The filter is currently running with just the remaining sand, but I'm worried about potential equipment damage. Are there any safe alternatives I can use temporarily, or should I just shut down the system until I get proper sand? I've heard about filter glass and zeolite but don't know if they're compatible with my setup.…more

Read answer

Filters Medium 45 minutes 214 👍 1

Can You Vacuum Pool on Filter Setting? Complete Guide

About to give up on pool vacuuming after yesterday's disaster — kept getting debris blown right back in no matter what I did. My standard maintenance routine involves weekly vacuuming, but I'm uncertain whether the filter setting is appropriate for all scenarios or if there are specific conditions that warrant switching to the waste position.

Specifically, I want to understand the technical rationale behind each setting choice. When does debris load become sufficient to justify bypassing the filtration system entirely? Are there water quality indicators or visible contamination thresholds that should trigger a waste setting protocol instead of normal filtration?…more

Read answer

Filters Medium 45 minutes 339 👍 1

Can a Pool Sand Filter Be Too Big? Sizing Problems Explained

During our weekly pool maintenance routine, my husband casually mentioned that our 15,000 gallon inground pool's water has looked consistently cloudy despite my best filtration efforts, and now I can't stop obsessing over what's wrong. The water isn't cloudy exactly, but it lacks that crystal-clear sparkle and seems to have a slight haze that won't go away. My chemical levels are all in range - chlorine at 2.5 ppm, pH 7.4, alkalinity 110 ppm, and I've shocked multiple times with no improvement.

I recently upgraded to a larger 24-inch sand filter thinking bigger would be better, but I'm starting to wonder if I made a mistake. My pump runs at about 45 GPM, and I've noticed that when I backwash, the water doesn't seem to flow very forcefully compared to my old smaller filter. Could the filter actually be too large for my system? I've heard that oversized filters can cause problems, but I'm not sure how to tell if that's what's happening here.…more

Read answer

Equipment Medium 45 minutes 450 👍 17

Can You Vacuum Pool on Recirculate? Complete Guide

Pulled a ton of storm debris out of our pool and now I'm trying to decide between normal filtration and recirculate mode for vacuuming.
The pool is so messy that I'm concerned about clogging up our filter system if I vacuum normally, but I also don't want to compromise water quality.

Can I vacuum the pool using the recirculate setting instead? I want to make sure I understand what this does - will it actually clean the water properly or just move things around? My main concern is whether the water will be safe and clean enough for the kids to swim in afterward, or if I need to take additional steps to ensure proper filtration.…more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Heaters

4.4 (8,900 reviews)

Filters Medium 2-3 hours 212 👍 1

Can I Use Pool Filter Sand? Complete Installation Guide

Replacing the sand in my pool filter for the first time and the bags at the hardware store look identical to the pool store sand but cost half as much. Is pool filter sand actually different from regular sand or is this just markup? Don't want to ruin my filter trying to save $30.…more

Read answer

Filters Easy 30-45 minutes 577 👍 1

Do I Need to Backwash a Cartridge Filter? Complete Guide

Around $150 is what my pool store quoted to service my cartridge filter and I'm wondering if I can just backwash it myself like other filters. Is this possible or do I need to clean it differently?…more

Read answer

Filters Easy 30 minutes 286 👍 1

How to Use a Pool Sand Filter: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

The pool sand filter that worked fine for years started giving me cloudy water last month but now it's completely dead and those expensive pool store fixes aren't working.

Can someone just give me the straight facts on how to actually operate my sand filter? I want to know the basic daily routine, when I should backwash, and how to tell if it's working properly. I'm looking for simple, practical steps I can handle myself without breaking the bank on unnecessary add-ons.…more

Read answer

Filters Easy 15 minutes 263 👍 1

How to Know If Your Pool Filter Is Dirty: Clear Warning Signs

Around the pool supply store staring at rows of filters with absolutely no idea how to tell if mine actually needs replacing. What should I be looking for to know when my filter is getting too dirty and needs attention?

I've heard something about pressure readings, but honestly I'm not sure what numbers I should be watching for or what other warning signs might tell me it's time to clean or replace the filter media.…more

Read answer

Loading more Q&A...

You've seen all 211 Q&A articles!