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1. What are cartridge filters?

A cartridge filter is an improvement over the traditional filters. In old filtering systems, Sand and DE matter were used as the filtering medium. They often required replacement and occupied large space. This is no longer the same in the new filters as here a thin filament known as the cartridge is used as the filtering medium. This filament is made of polyester based material such as Polyethylene or polypropylene. They have evenly distributed pores on their surface. The pores being very tiny are capable of trapping dirt particles that are microscopic in size. Hence, all form of impurities gets deposited on the filter surface. The clogged cartridge then can be removed and cleaned with the help of a garden hose or muriatic acid solution. The cartridge filters are very compact and need just little space for installation.

The installation of cartridge type filters is very simple and no longer is troublesome like the old filters. The traditional filters like the sand filtering system require huge space for their installation. This is no more so with the new cartridge filters. They have plastic coating with cartridges installed in their interiors. They are also very compact and portable. So, they need protection when they are installed in ponds. For this reason, small concretes need to be built on the walls of the pool. The filters are then fitted on the surface of these concrete materials. They are also covered by a wired lead so as to give extra-protection. Whenever they get clogged, the wired lead is opened and the filter moved out for cleaning. It takes some time to build the concretes. So, once the concrete is ready it just takes a few minutes to get the filter installed in the pool.

The most obvious way to determine when it’s time to replace your filter is the quality of your water. However, even if your water is clear, it might still be time to change your cartridge.

An effective way to determine the effectiveness of your pool filter cartridge is your filter’s pressure indicator. This is usually a gauge or meter that is on the outside of your filter housing. This gauge will also show you the maximum pressure at which your filter should operate. Be certain that your filter does not exceed this pressure.

As your cartridge begins to accumulate dirt and debris it becomes more difficult for the pump to circulate water through the filter. As a result, the pressure on your filter system increases and less water is circulated through your system. Not only does this increase the workload on your pump, it also reduces the quantity of water that is filtered. This leaves more dirt and debris in your pool. Most cartridge filters run at a lower pressure than sand or DE.

Swimming pool filter cartridges work by allowing water to pass through a very fine filter surface. This filter surface captures any impurities that attempt to pass through and hold them until you clean the filter cartridge or replace it.

Cartridge filters have more surface area than sand filters. This allows for fewer clogs and much easier maintenance. Cartridge filters also operate at a much lower pressure than sand. This causes less backpressure on the pump so you have a greater flow of water through the system.

The swimming pool filter cartridges can filter out anything down to 5 to 10 microns in size. To put this in perspective, a single grain of table salt is about 90 microns in size. Anything below 35 microns is invisible to the naked eye.

Swimming pool filter cartridges are extremely popular because they are very easy to maintain and relatively inexpensive. Basic cartridge maintenance can be performed by simply rinsing off your cartridge with a garden hose or soaking them in detergent. However, the best way to ensure a clean and sparkling pool is to just simply replace them.

The installation of cartridge type filters is very simple and no longer is troublesome like the old filters. The traditional filters like the sand filtering system require huge space for their installation. This is no more so with the new cartridge filters. They have plastic coating with cartridges installed in their interiors. They are also very compact and portable. So, they need protection when they are installed in ponds. For this reason, small concretes need to be built on the walls of the pool. The filters are then fitted on the surface of these concrete materials. They are also covered by a wired lead so as to give extra-protection. Whenever they get clogged, the wired lead is opened and the filter moved out for cleaning. It takes some time to build the concretes. So, once the concrete is ready it just takes a few minutes to get the filter installed in the pool.

Cartridge filters do not require electric power supply to operate in pools. They are automatic and function on a continuous basis. They can be used for 24 hours without a break. Such filters are easily installable and their cartridge pleats are used to capture dirt and impurities. Only if the cartridge of the filter is replaced than it costs the pool user as then one has to buy a new cartridge. But while operating the filter there is no cost involved. This is very much different from the old traditional filtering systems where using power supply is mandatory for operating pool filters. The modern Astral Cartridge filter serves this end of powerless operation.

Cartridge filters are certainly an up-gradation in technology. The cartridge is made up of a fine polyester based filament that makes it possible to filter out debris that is microscopic in size. There is no need of backwashing as is compulsory in sand filters. The filtering range of sand filters is 20 to 40 microns whereas in case of cartridge filters the filtering range is 5 to 20 microns. In case of sand filters, sharp edges of sand are used to separate out particles while in case of Cartridge filters, screening of impurities takes place on the surface of the cartridge element. The cartridges trap larger particles as well as minute particles too and so do not leave any scope for dirty elements to get released in the pool water.

Cartridge filters open up the scope of ease of cleaning clogged cartridges. Whenever the filter pressure rises and the cartridges get coagulated with impurities, all the users need to do is open the housing of the filter, remove the cartridge from its interior and then wash it off by spraying with water. The cartridge at the most may need soaking in muriatic acids so as to dissolve minerals and kill living microbes. There is no need to backwash the filtering system and refill them with depleted DE matter

The cartridge filters are an answer to all pool related problems. Their installation simply abolishes the need to use any form of chemicals in swimming ponds. Initially it was thought that chlorine need to be sprinkled in the water used in pool systems. The reason is harmful microorganisms are killed with the use of chlorine. But, now it is found that the cartridges serve as effective medium to trap all form of impurities and micro-organisms. So, nothing impure or filthy really remains suspended in pool water. This completely nullifies the use of chemicals in pools after the installation of cartridge filters.

Cartridge filter is advantageous in many respects. It improves upon the scope to clean pool system and wipe out dirt that paralyzes ponds. Dirty pools are normally found to develop a deposited scum line on its borders. To avoid this, tiles are normally fitted around pools. This has been the traditional remedy. But now the cartridge filters ensure that all oily substances shall get trapped on its filtering medium. Hence, no scum gets deposited around swimming pools. As the filter is made up of polyester based material, hence it is impossible for dirt particles to trespass its pores. So, what happens is microorganisms, minerals, algae and all other form of impurities that are normally invisible to eyes are found to clog on the surface of the filtering medium. The chemical balance of water used in swimming ponds also remains stable as normal pH, alkalinity and chlorine levels are maintained by the cartridge filtering system. As the pool filters coagulate extraneous matter, the chemical balance of the water remains unchanged as no polluting chemicals are available to react with the [H]+, [OH]- , [Cl]+, ions of water used in ponds.

It is very important to regularly check the extent of clogging in cartridges that are in use. Methods of cleaning as mentioned in the operating manual also need to be followed. The cartridge of the filter in use needs to be withdrawn whenever it gets clogged and then washed with jets of clean water. Muriatic acid can also be applied for removing particles that adhere to its surface. The cartridge filtering medium should be checked for any possible leaks. In the event of any leak and crack being discovered, the cartridge should be replaced immediately. Intex replacement parts can be brought to use for proper maintenance of filters.

Plastic material is used as an outer cover for cartridge filters. Such type of filtering equipment is doubly beneficial as it plays the role of an interceptor for keeping ponds clean and dirt free. This equipment has a filament made of polyester material that acts as the meshing medium of the filter. This medium can be easily disassembled whenever it gets clogged with impurities. The medium traps all form of contaminants and when it is dismantled, dirt particles can be cleaned easily by flushing with water. Parts of the filter can be refitted after cleaning and the filtering equipment then reinstalled in ponds.

The time for which filters can be run is known as filter usage time. Normally, it extends to few hours in case of traditional filtering systems. But in case of the new filters, such as the cartridge filtering system, this equipment can be used continuously for prolonged periods without breaks. The filter does not make use of power supply and so there is no chance of heating. As such the filter can be run on a continuous basis and it cleans water of ponds as it functions non-stop.

Cartridge filters have become much successful than other pool filters. This is only because of their maintenance ease. What people need to do is simply open the housing, then bring out the cartridge filtering medium and wash it off. Mineral deposits can be released by dipping the cartridge in a solution of muriatic acid. There is no need of any back-washing for knocking out loose accumulated debris. No detailed maintenance routine is required with cartridge filters.

No there is no option for back-washing. Cleaning of Cartridge filters is done by removal of the filtering medium and then spraying clean water from a hose. ‘Backwash valve’ is a feature used to reverse the flow of water in Sand and DE filters. This is not present in cartridge filters as here there is no need to reverse the flow of water to release sticking dirt particles.

The filter maintenance normally depends on factors like size, flow rate, plumbing and bather load. This is true with the old Sand and DE filters. But then with a cartridge filter, the scenario is totally different. Cartridge filters just require flushing with water to loose out sticking impurities and release them from the filtering medium. The need to clean cartridges becomes necessary when the pressure reading exceeds or reaches 7-8 psi. The cartridge should be removed for cleaning purpose whenever the filter pressure exceeds this limit. The case is the same with filters of brands like Astral, Waterway, Intex and others.