Backwash Is For Kids

A clean pool is the only kind of pool you should want, which means you need the right pool filter. There a several different types of pool filters, but only one that doesn’t require backwashing. Behold, the cartridge pool filter.

With DE and sand pool filters, to clean them regularly, you need to send water backwards through the system, which can use a lot of energy and water. But a cartridge pool filter is designed to never need that. Instead of backwashing, these filters do need to be disassembled and cleaned on a regular basis.

How Low Can You Go?

When it comes to pool filters, their cleaning power is measured in microns: a unit of measure equal to 0.0000394 of an inch. That is how small of a particle the pool filter can catch. Our collection of cartridge filters are in the 8-10 micron range which means not much if going to slip past these filters.

For reference, a grain of salt is 100 microns. So take that dirty water!

How a Cartridge Filter Works

The path is simple: water is pulled from the pool through the skimmer, travels into the filter tank, passes through the pleated cartridge where dirt and debris are trapped, and then the clean water is returned to the pool. Because the cartridge is made of a large, accordion-folded sheet of polyester fabric, it offers a huge surface area for catching contaminants while still letting water flow freely. That large surface area is also why cartridge filters can run at lower pressure than sand filters, which puts less strain on your pump and helps lower energy use.

No Backwashing, Less Wasted Water

The headline benefit is right there in the name of this post: cartridge filters never need to be backwashed. A sand or DE filter can send hundreds of gallons of water down the drain every time you clean it, plus you lose the balanced, chemically treated water you paid to maintain. With a cartridge filter, you simply remove the cartridge and rinse it — no wasted water and no wasted chemicals.

Cleaning And Maintenance

Keeping a cartridge filter in top shape is easy:

• Rinse regularly. Every few weeks, or whenever the pressure gauge climbs 8–10 PSI above the clean starting pressure, remove the cartridge and hose it off from top to bottom between the pleats.
• Deep clean a few times a season. Soak the cartridge in a filter cleaner solution to break down oils, sunscreen, and fine grime that a quick rinse can’t reach.
• Replace when worn. With proper care, a quality cartridge lasts several seasons. Replace it when the pleats are frayed, flattened, or no longer come clean.

Should You Choose A Cartridge Filter?

If you want fine filtration, lower water use, and simple, predictable maintenance, a cartridge filter is hard to beat. All pool filters are designed to pull out contaminants, but for an even deeper clean, pair your filter with a pool sanitizing system. Ready to upgrade? Browse our cartridge pool filters to find the right fit for your pool.