Frequently Asked Questions

Cartridge Filter Basics

I can't find my cartridge on the web site, what can I do?

Manufactures are constantly changing the way their filters, pools and spas are made. Even though we regularly update our product listings, sometimes a cartridge might slip through the cracks. If you don’t see your filter listed, just give us the dimensions and we will find the perfect replacement for you. We carry hundreds of filter cartridges for virtually every filter system available.
I just bought a used spa or moved into a house with a pool. Do I need to replace the filter cartridge?

Absolutely. If you don’t replace the cartridge you will be recirculating all of the hair and body oil of the previous owner. Besides being potentially unhealthy it is pretty gross.
Can I get a discount if I order more filters?

Unfortunately we don’t offer a quantity discount. This is because we offer all of our filters at the lowest price possible. Because of this, there isn’t room for us to lower our prices any further.
What if I order the wrong cartridge?

We do everything possible to make sure that you get the right filter the first time. If for some reason you don’t, let us know and we will do everything possible to make it right.
I'm a pool and spa dealer, can I purchase filters and have them shipped directly to my customers?

Yes, we can ship our cartridges to whoever you list in the “Ship To” field.
I found my filter for less from another company... can you match their price?

We pride ourselves in offering the highest quality filters at the lowest prices possible. If you find them cheaper somewhere else, send us any written or publicly displayed prices and we will do our best to match them or beat them.

Pool Clarity Tips

How can we avoid white scaly material build-up in pools?

Pool water can be kept clean and any formation of such white matter can be avoided completely with the use of filters. The white material that you get to see on the walls of pools is calcium build-up. The new cartridge filters have technologically advanced filament that coagulates minerals, algae, microbes and contaminants of all kind. So, when calcium does not find an escape in the pool water, their deposition on the walls is out of question. Installation of a Hayward pool filter cartridge can be ideal for avoiding the formation of Stains and Scales on walls of the pools.
Is it possible to get rid of algae permanently?

Algae formation is a very normal phenomenon seen in pool water. It seems pool users have become used to it. But then now it is possible to get rid of algae with the installation of pool cartridge filters. Such filters when installed in ponds are a good prevention from algae formation. They are capable of depositing everything on their cartridge surface that remains suspended in the water. It is found that phosphates are the food for algae. As everything is clogged by the filter cartridge, there is no scope for any phosphates to escape in the water. As this continues for days the algae do not find any food to eat and so die out in that process. Using a Jandy cartridge filter can relieve pools from algae contamination.
Can filters remove cloudiness of water?

Cloudiness of water occurs when particles in water are too small to be filtered out. It also happens when incompatible chemicals get released into the water. Other reasons for it are high pH, high alkalinity and high calcium levels. All these problems are looked after by cartridge filters. The cartridge filtering medium is made up of polyester material and has evenly distributed pores. These pores are so tiny that they can easily trap particles that are 5 microns sized. Thus small, particles, chemicals, minerals and everything else get trapped and deposits on the cartridge surface. Hence, the water remains crystal clean, pH remains balanced and alkalinity and calcium levels also remain stable. Installing a Doughboy pool filter can serve this purpose.
What is the true process of cleaning a clogged pool filter Cartridge?

There are a few steps that when followed can reasonably help pool users get rid of the dirt that deposits on the cartridge of the filter that they are using. The steps are as under:

1. It is very important to turn off the pump before starting with the cleaning of a pool filter. This is because it is possible that without a filter, there are chances that the pump may get burnt when kept on.

2. Remove the cartridge from the filter socket. Make use of a garden hose to spay between the pleats of the cartridge maintaining an angle of 45 degree. The water jet should be tight enough so as to remove as much debris as it may be possible.

3. Pour a calculated amount of muriatic acid solution in a half filled bucket of water. Immerse the cartridge and keep adding water until it gets completely immersed. The filter too can be immersed in the solution.

4. Agitate the filter and its cartridge part for fifteen minutes and see the results. If the water becomes very dirty then discard the solution and repeat the process until the water starts to clear up. The cartridge can then be kept immersed in the solution for a couple of hours or overnight.

5. Remove the cartridge from the muriatic acid solution. Feel it with your fingers. If the pleats feel slimy then it means that it is still dirty. Wash with clean jets of water and if required replace the cartridge with a new one.

6. Dry the washed cartridge in sunlight before it is refitted in the filter. Then restore the filter in the swimming pool. Restart the pump and check for any leaks in the filter.
Which pool filter is the best for keeping swimming pools clean?

The smaller the particles pool filters trap, the cleaner the ponds become. It is keeping this point in view that Cartridge filters are largely brought to use. This filter can trap particles 3 to 5 microns in size. Such small sized particles are invisible to normal vision but large quantities of these particles can cause water to appear cloudy. The cartridge filter keeps on trapping impurities on a continuous basis. As it clogs particles very small in size so the pool clarity is maintained by installation of a Waterway cartridge filter or similar Pentair pool products.

Pool and Spa Cleaning

How pH balance of pool water can be kept stable?

The pH is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration in pool water. The pH gets disturbed only if the H+ ions changes. It is found that pH balance is directly proportional to the impurities present in water. The reason is the impurities have their own hydrogen (H+) ions. These interact with the water molecules and increase or decrease the H+ ions of water molecules. This phenomenon can be avoided by the use of say a Jandy cartridge filteror an Intex filter. These filters are capable of capturing dirt particles that are microscopic in size. Hence, every impurity gets trapped and that ensures maintenance of pH balance.
What is ‘Alkalinity’ and how is it possible to maintain alkalinity level of pool systems ?

Alkalinity level in pool system is a measure of hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates and other alkaline substances. It is also termed as buffering capacity of water and helps to keep a balance of the pH level too. For ‘gunite’ and concrete pool systems, the alkalinity levels should be maintained at the 80-120ppm range. The level of 125-170 ppm needs to be maintained for painted, vinyl, and fiberglass pool systems. These levels need to be maintained or else pools may become defunct and unhealthy. Changes in the alkali levels need to be adjusted with the aid of base and acids. Whenever the alkalinity level gets lowered it is raised by adding a base. A rise in alkalinity is lowered by adding acids to water. These steps can be easily avoided and the alkalinity balance of pool systems maintained with the use of cartridge filters. This is because the cartridge clogs all particles that alter the alkalinity levels of pools. Hence, it becomes mandatory for pool systems users to make use of the new filters.
Does Cartridge filter balance chlorine level in pool water?

Cartridge filters can remove chemicals like chlorine as the polyester filament used as its filtering medium has the capability to adsorb chemicals on its surface. As the adsorption continues, it shows up in the filament that henceforth requires cleaning or a replacement. While using the cartridge filter, people can learn from its taste, appearance and smell as when it is necessary to change the filter. It is true that it is good to add chlorine in water as it is effective in killing germs and parasites. But too much of suspended chlorine makes it a poison. It damages delicate body tissues whenever chlorine gets adsorbed into our body through the skin or via intakes. Pool water contains Chloramines that is the cause of red eyes. Moreover, high level of chlorine in water, releases gas that causes breathing difficulties. It also leads to respiratory problems when chlorine combines with other organic chemical compounds. This is the reason why the chlorine level in water needs to be kept balanced. Cartridge filters are good in this respect for they trap free chlorine ions and adsorb them on the surface of the filtering medium. This is what keeps the pond water safe from excessive chlorine concentration for swimmers.
What is required for maintaining water balance of Swimming pools?

The use of chemicals like chlorine is necessary for maintaining the balance of pool water. When sand filters are installed the use of Silica sand and angular sand work well. But when a cartridge filter is brought to use, it serves as a potential medium for coagulating dirty particles that alter the chemical balance of water. This filter is way ahead of all other filtering equipments to keep swimming pool water clean. Its cartridge serves the sole purpose of pool water clarity maintenance. It purifies water by trapping impurities.

General Questions

I can't find my cartridge on the web site, what can I do?

Manufactures are constantly changing the way their filters, pools and spas are made. Even though we regularly update our product listings, sometimes a cartridge might slip through the cracks. If you don’t see your filter listed, just give us the dimensions and we will find the perfect replacement for you. We carry hundreds of filter cartridges for virtually every filter system available.
I just bought a used spa or moved into a house with a pool. Do I need to replace the filter cartridge?

Absolutely. If you don’t replace the cartridge you will be recirculating all of the hair and body oil of the previous owner. Besides being potentially unhealthy it is pretty gross.
Can I get a discount if I order more filters?

Unfortunately we don’t offer a quantity discount. This is because we offer all of our filters at the lowest price possible. Because of this, there isn’t room for us to lower our prices any further.
What if I order the wrong cartridge?

We do everything possible to make sure that you get the right filter the first time. If for some reason you don’t, let us know and we will do everything possible to make it right.
I'm a pool and spa dealer, can I purchase filters and have them shipped directly to my customers?

Yes, we can ship our cartridges to whoever you list in the “Ship To” field.
I found my filter for less from another company... can you match their price?

We pride ourselves in offering the highest quality filters at the lowest prices possible. If you find them cheaper somewhere else, send us any written or publicly displayed prices and we will do our best to match them or beat them.