poolvirgin

I have had all 3 type filters. I started with a sand but in 2000 I replaced the liner, filter & cover. I was talked into a cartridge filter. I kept it for 1 yr. but it is time consuming to take it apart to clean it. If you have any algae build up it clogs the cartidge & you have to take the filter apart to get to it and hose it off.. I replaced it with a DE filter. The DE does trap the smallest particles however my problem with the DE is I use a mesh winter cover and I would get a lot of dust from the fields around me into the pool over the winter. Upon spring start up there is no way to vacuum to waste so I would have to "bump it" every day and replace the DE about twice until everything was clear. Last year I went back to sand. For me it seems like the best alternative for my situation. I can filter to waste and if the pressure goes up all you need to do is backwash it. Once everything was clear I only needed to backwash about once a month or so. By the way I use about 1 cup of DE in the sand filter and have not had any problems with maintaining a clear pool. WOW i see you really had experience with all three. I like the idea of adding a cup of DE in your sand filter. If the effort and time was not a concern which filter would you go with? did you notice a difference in water quality or clarity of the water with each of the different filters? thanks for taking the time to respond.

I am planning on building a brand new in ground gunite pool. the dimensions will be approx. 50' X 12' depth shallow end will varry from a "beach entrance" to 4' and deep end will be 10' to 12' deep. (I want to practice scuba diving in pool) at the same time I am would like a lot of features to be added to the pool, waterfall(s), laminar jets, underwater speaker, LED lighting, a controller that can be hookes up with my Crestron home automation system (so far I know the Jandy "Aqua Link" can be used) and another thing it will be a salt water pool, so I will need to know which salt generator to use. Up to know I have done quite a bit of research and I am trying to find the best place to receive advice on what equipment to purchase. For example with all the features I want to have in the pool I know I will need a few pumps but I cannot find a place to inform me on which pump is the best for each application. When looking at the specs on the Jandy web site and Hayward I am still not sure which pumps to use. As for heating I have a geothermal system in my house and I will be using a heat exchanger to "pre Heat" the pool for "FREE" heating and for the remaining heating needs I will use a gas fired furnace that in the winter will be doing a snow melt system in driveway and in the summer sits idle. This system also will be equiped with a heat exchanger. The reason I want to go this route is that I do not want any equipment noise outside to disturb my family and myself while we will be enjoying the pool. As for the filter I spoke with 20 different people and I got 20 different stories!!! After comparing SAND, DE and CARTRIDGE and listening to the advice I am now leaning towards CARTRIDGE. However I have no idea which manufacturer to use and if that is the correct choice. I have so many other questions but if someone would be so kind as to help me out with these questions to start I will be forever greatful. Thanks in advance, poolvirign (hoping to become poolpro!!!)