Best Cartridge Pool Filter: Which One Should You Buy for Your Swimming Pool?

So, the other day, I was staring at my pool, and it was looking a bit… cloudy. You know, not that crystal-clear water you dream of. It got me thinking about my pool filter. I’ve got one of those cartridge pool filters, and let me tell you, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride figuring this thing out.

First off, I had to decide if I even wanted a cartridge filter or a sand filter. I heard people arguing all over the internet about which was better. Honestly, it was confusing. They all talk about keeping your pool “sanitary” and “healthy” like it’s some kind of hospital. Anyway, I went with the cartridge one because a friend recommended it. It was a bit pricey, I won’t lie. I bought a Hayward filter and pump in 2018, and I thought I was going top-of-the-line. Turns out, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows with these things.

When I first got it, I spent hours just trying to figure out how to set it up. The instructions weren’t exactly user-friendly. Finally, after a lot of trial and error, and maybe a few choice words, I got the thing running.

The first few months were great. My pool was sparkling, and I felt like a pool maintenance pro. But then, slowly but surely, the water started getting cloudy again. I was cleaning the filter regularly, like they tell you to, but it didn’t seem to be doing the trick. I even went online and compared prices and features, but still couldn’t figure out what was going wrong.

I started to wonder if I made the wrong choice. I mean, my pool is a rectangular one, and I saw online that they make filters for all shapes, like oval and round pools. Maybe I needed a different kind or something.

• Cleaning the Cartridge: This was a whole other adventure. I’d pull the cartridge out, and it was covered in gunk. I’d hose it down, scrub it, and put it back in, hoping for the best.
• Pressure Gauge: I learned to keep an eye on the pressure gauge. When it gets too high, it means the filter is clogged and needs a good cleaning. I felt like a mechanic, constantly checking the pressure.
• Replacing the Cartridge: Eventually, you gotta replace the cartridge. They don’t last forever. This is where it gets expensive again. It’s like buying a whole new filter, but just the inside part.

Honestly, after dealing with all this, I realized that having a pool is a lot of work. It’s not just about floating around on a sunny day. These cartridge pool filters can be a real pain. They need constant attention, and they don’t always work the way you expect them to. I found that Hayward pool system does let me down sometimes. I’m still figuring it all out, but I wanted to share my experience. Maybe it’ll help someone else out there who’s struggling with their pool filter too. It’s a learning process, that’s for sure.