How To Diagnose a Bad Cartridge Filter Flow Problems

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[@mykeezzproduction]

You just confirmed what I thought my problem was, and a little extra. Thank You my friend!

[@geewill1251]

Omg thank you. This is exactly what the problem is on my pool. I was going crazy in forums when no one had this simple issue. Thank you so much!

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Glad it helped!

[@user-bd2vp1nh2u]

Thank you for this advice! I searched for a suction side leak on my pool for a week before I saw your video. I took out the filter and immediately solved my priming issue. Bought a new filter and solved my issue. Thanks for your help!

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Glad it helped!

[@brotherwild8207]

Dude most helpful video and explanation ever!

[@allanmayo7552]

Best advice I've seen so far on water flow issues. Thanks so much for the video. After following all the instructions, I went and purchased a new Hayward filter and resolved the problem.

[@CrystalEdgePools]

You're welcome!

[@HolaRioja]

Thank you for the straight-forward and helpful video! I didn't know you could start up the pump w/o the cartridge as a way to troubleshoot.

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Glad I could help!

[@sandip7259]

OMG!! Thank you so much for this video. This actually worked!! I had reached out to Pinch a Penny, no help! I’m not disassembling anything still under warranty! Thanks again!! Thumbs up!!👍🏽

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Glad it helped!

[@mj9316]

Thank you for filming this video! You were 100% correct! A clogged filter was my issue.This info was extremely useful. Thank you…

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Great to hear!

[@saltybottom]

Thank you so much. Everything you explained is exactly my problem and solution

[@CrystalEdgePools]

You're welcome!

[@roymurrayanderson7573]

Thanks my pool is about a month in and I appreciate knowing the inside details.

[@CrystalEdgePools]

No problem!

[@sting1111]

Litehouse just screwed me for $130 for a cartridge . This is ridiculous. I couldn’t wait for Amazon in my situation. You are right about them going to hell if you have a bloom.

[@jacobgraf83]

Amazing video! Exactly the information I've been looking for! 👏🏻

[@kh-hp5gi]

Now this gent makes a lot of sense!

[@dougb8207]

Thank you, that's a huge help. Similar happened to me: cavitation issue, shaking and noisy filter, PSI gage abnormally high. Our cover came off while we were out on spring vacation, all the winter leaves ended up in the pool, and probably stagnated. What a mess. :(

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Glad it helped! Sorry to hear of the frustration 🫤...... leaves can be a big opponent to pool systems.

[@mmedina1977]

Great info

[@crossbronxkennels]

Very helpful video. We just replaced our 16yo pump and are still having flow issues. It starts up strong but diminishes promptly. I will check flow tomorrow without filter installed.

[@CrystalEdgePools]

👍

[@mamasage1233]

Same exactly.

[@WickedRavenOne]

FANTASTIC VIDEO

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Thank you very much!

[@_1ben]

thank you for your sharing knowledge

[@CrystalEdgePools]

My pleasure

[@pozmarciv]

Thanks for the video.. very informative.

[@CrystalEdgePools]

My pleasure

[@hugoc2722]

Good advice!!!!

[@allenmacias4721]

Thank you good information

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Glad it helped!

[@Nickyeyes1313]

Great video.

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Happy to help!

[@drami87]

Looks like we have a same problem. Pur heater wasn't kicking in due to low pressure when the pump was running at high speed. We removed the filter and ran the pump and heater worked We also have a cavity in the skimmer bucket, so it's clear that it's a bad filter. Ours is mostly due to the floc we did by not knowing it would affect the cartridge filter. :(

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Im glad the video helped to narrow down the problem. There are far too many crooked or ignorant contractors/maintenance people who are more than happy to sell you parts and equipment when the problem is so simple. You bring up 2 very important points with your comment: 1. Everything in the pool water will go through the filter. Chemical additives can be hard on the filters construction depending on what they are. Floc is a product thats designed to clump heavy particulates together (such as dirt). Adding this to a flowing filter will clog the filter because of this. When adding floc-out to a body of water, it should be done while the pool is off and then left to sit for 8-24 hours to ensure that everything has gathered on the pool floor. When restarted, it should then be vacuumed out immediately and the filter removed and rinsed upon completion. When we do initial cleanouts after construction, we hook a hose up to the pump outlet and eject this heavy material right out of the pool. After we finish with removal, we then rehook the plumbing back up and filter the fine cleaning. (It should be noted that doing this process will drain the pool down because you are ejecting and not recirculating. We usually overfill the pool to the very top of the skimmer so that it ends up halfway down 'or at normal operating level' when we are done. We have removed an entire skid steer bucket of sand that was accidentally ddropped into the water with this method and never drained the pool during the process. We often times will be filling the pool while we are doing this process just to ensure that we do not lose too much water depending on how much dirt needs to be ejected) 2. Constant chemical additives should not be necessary for a properly designed and running system. We see these weekly "pool maintenace techs" over treating water constantly down here. Many times when we follow behind them we find out they are overchlorinating the pool, not cleaning filters and constantly "shocking" the pool (often times weekly or monthly). This is because (just like many people who can buy and push a lawnmower arent actually landscapers) most of these guys have bought a net and a vacuum and call themselves "techs". Whether on purpose, or through ignorance, they create a chemical soup for you to swim in because it provides a temporary appearance improvement and sells more chemicals on their weekly bill. Additives are necessary at times, but should never be a constant part of pool maintenance. The systems we construct for our customers keep their pools sparkling clear with no additives and 1 (or less) 3" chlorine tablet per week in 105+ degree temperatures. Im not saying you specifically are doing this, but im using the opportunity to warn people. Be wary of advice to keep adding chemicals constantly. You often dont need a change to the chemistry as much as a change to the system.

[@jamespolucha8790]

I’m a new pool owner and having flowing issues, I’ve cleaned my filters many times, seems like after I clean it it works fine sorta then I stop seeing the water moving, could this be my filter issue ?

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Congratulations on being a new pool owner! Yes, its very likely. Over 75% of flow problems are filter related

[@RedRoger559]

I have a Sta-rite PLM-300 cartridge filter. Replacement filters cost between $500 and $700 plus. Too much for regular replacement. I’m considering changing my whole filter. What filter is shown on your video? Less than $100 for filter replacements is more desirable.

[@CrystalEdgePools]

That model is a Hayward swimclear 150 cartridge filter. However, be aware that some bright blazing bolt at Hayward redesigned these filters around covid time with a fail-point. It is a plastic mold weld that has blown apart on numerous filters we've installed. We will no longer use them in our business as Hayward customer service has consistently been a nightmare for us and our customers when their products fail (which happens almost as much as pentair now). We only recommend Jandy products as they seem to be the best built in the business and their customer service/warranty performance is the best we've ever seen. A comparable Jandy filter would be a Jandy 250CS cartridge filter. This is an extremely efficient filter and the longevity is amazing when maintained regularly. This is a 250 sq ft element vs. The 150 or even 200 swimclear models available by Hayward. The cartridges are a little more expensive at around $330 right now, but they also seem to last about 3x longer. Hope this helps. Good luck

[@RedRoger559]

@@CrystalEdgePools Thanks. I appreciate your response.

[@adrianvillarreal3703]

Does this work with a 4 cartridge system that has a manifold at the top?

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Yes, this will work for diagnosis. It is tougher on a 4 barrel system and the manifold would be removed during this test. Typically with 4 cartridge systems we recommend just replacing the cartridges rather than trying this test.

[@kc6442]

I sure wish "pentair" only had one filter cartridge. I have 4. I clean them , clean the pool, then in a couple of days, the psi, seems to rise up to nearly 30. Its starts at 10-15, but damn, it seems like im cleaning every week. Plus, the cartridges arent that old. Maybe about almost a year. What gives?

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Hi KC6442. Pentair does actually make a 200 sq. ft. single cartridge filter (we used to install them when we gave pentair a shot over about 100 pools). Im not sure exactly why they are such a maintenance item for you on your pool without seeing it, but do remember that a cartridge is a sacrificial item that will wear out periodically. Usually when you have psi changes that often, you are simply coming to the end of their lifespan. Just like an oil filter on your car, it can only efficiently filter for so long. If you are having this problem with NEW cartridges, please respond and let me know further about your pool. There may be another issue.

[@kc6442]

@CrystalEdgePools thank you, sir, for this much needed knowledge. I'm a diy guy. But, I certainly appreciate it

[@user-bi7lp4tn2q]

Could a loose filter cause the same issue? I bought some Amazon filters and they are a little loose and now my pool keeps loosing pressure when it sits?

[@CrystalEdgePools]

A loose cartridge shouldnt cause any pressure problems. As long as the housing is sound thats not likely the issue. Water will seek level always, so if you dont have a backflow preventor (or check valve) on the inlet line, when the pool is idle, it is likely just returning pressure and water back down the line.

[@timtrainer10]

Great video. So I took the filter out and my pressure was still at 5psi. I think I cleared all my inlets and outlets. Could you please share your experise? Last year I broke the check valve that’s inside the filter cartridge housing and sits inside the cartridge once it’s seated. I glued it back together except that the check valve doesn’t go up and down anymore. Could that be my issue with low pressure? If I close the inlet to the pump I can see water get expelled out the bottom hole of the cartridge when i unscrew that port. When I close that hole and try to to pump directly into the pool the water just bubbles in place. Even when I open the inlet. The water pressure is always at 5 psi while pump is running and 0 when off so it’s somewhat working. Driving me nuts as I’ve spent hours playing with this pool. Thank you!

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Hi Tiny, A couple of questions.......#1. What kind of filter are you working with? #2. Does pump keep prime when running at your lower pressure reading (can you get a clear dome after 5-10 minutes without a bunch of air in the pump)? #3. How is the performance of water flow?

[@timtrainer10]

@@CrystalEdgePools I went to the pool supply store and they said it’s an obsolete pump and filter, the guy was unable to help. Both are blue torrent and the filter is a paper cartridge. I made sure every office was clear including the pump propeller. It did seem a little better after I let water back flow through the pump and lines. The water return into the pool seems a little better but still very weak. It doesn’t appear to suck anything through the drain basket or even bring much of anything back from the top of the pool into the leaf basket. I’m thinking I’ll just have to get a used pump and filter to replace mine. Maybe it just got weak during winter season.

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Hi Tiny. You are checking all of the right things! Paper filters are sacrificial and have a lifespan that you can't extend past a certain point. I would suggest changing out the filter before the pump however. See if that reduces the restriction and perhaps the pump will show better signs of life. If not, you can then change the pump to follow. Just a thought......

[@timtrainer10]

@@CrystalEdgePools . A neighborhood guy was selling a DE filter and pump used so I bought it and replace my old stuff. Now I’m getting return flow. Maybe i messed up the old equipment by not properly storing for the winter. Anyway I appreciate the help. Have a great summer and Happy Memorial Day!

[@barryfredrick2731]

What about dipping it in algezide?

[@CrystalEdgePools]

There are ways to extend life in a cartridge filter, but our experience has been that the extension doesn't go far for the work invested. Things like that will help, but the cartridge filter design is meant to be a sacrificial element. I would compare it to trying to clean out a used oil filter. In our opinion, it ends up being too high of an investment of time for the payoff. At a current average of $100-$125 for a new filter, we have come to recommend replacement.

[@foreverwood1963]

I have the exact same filter I have a problem that I’ve never had before. My filter always loosens up sometimes after a couple of days sometimes longer and sometimes sooner. Has anyone dealt with this issue, it’s a problem when I’m out of town.

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Do you mean the collar joining the 2 halves, or a different part?

[@apexx138]

Good video. Only thing is my Hayward has the 4 canisters so I'm not sure if that would work the same or not. If anyone happens to see this and know please feel free to share! :)

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Hi J Kilroy, thanks for asking. We have just recorded a video on the 4 barrel cartridge cleaning process which will be forthcoming soon. Stay tuned for the in depth step-by-step and thanks for the content suggestion!

[@ronotardo]

how do you get the algea off the cartridge filter?

[@CrystalEdgePools]

Hi ronotardo, there really isn't an effective way to remove the algae once embedded. There are some chemical solution options for soaking the filter overnight, but they really focus on degreasing the filter. The cartridge is really a sacrificial element in the system and attempts to "chemically restore" them often leads to a further breakdown of the element itself. At most, we have seen an average of only 2-3 more months obtained from these methods and then you are usually replacing the cartridge anyway.

[@davefranklin2232]

What if it’s a new filter

[@CrystalEdgePools]

After running through the steps in this video, if you still have flow problems that are not affected by removal of the cartridge, you likely have either a line or skimmer blockage. Also check the strainer in the pump.