Sta-Rite is owned by the same company. I used to use sand and D.E. filters but in some areas getting rid of the water needed to backwash the filter can be a problem. You might want to consider the Intelliflo pump as opposed to the single speed Sta-Rite, it costs you more up front but in the long run it saves you a lot of money on energy bills.

This is good equipment but will this pool have a spa or waterfeatures? If not I do not see a need nor recommend a 2 h.p. high-head pump. A 1h.p. medium head pump will be more eff. and hydraulically correct. Sand filters are ancient technology. Stick with cartridge or DE. If you go with sand use zeolite instead of sand as a media.

"Sand filters are ancient technology."

Not really they are very effective and serve their purpose. The cost of ownership on a cartridge filter could be much greater than sand.

Our pool is 17,000-18,000 gallons and we have a Sta-Rite System 3 filter (also 300 sq. ft.). Works great and we only clean the filter about 3x/year, only because we think we should. When we do, however, we do use a lot of water getting all the pleats clean.

"The cost of ownership on a cartridge filter could be much greater than sand."

Racket is right about that...check into the prices of replacement filter cartridges for your unit...amazing!!! Good news is that we're going into our 4th season with the original set.

quote" Sand filters are ancient technology. "quote
I disagree, sand filters are great if you don't over pump size them and stay ahead of your water chemistry.
All of my large commercial pools run multiply bypassed sand filters on a high power high flow pump.
Note, these are pools that have water chemistry tested several times daily.

What I've seen is that homeowners who get behind their water struggle twice as hard to get it back when they have a sand filter.

See ya,
Kelly

Sand filters are great on giant commercial pools where cleaning scores of filter cartridges is unrealistic. The fact is using sand to filter water is THOUSANDS of years old, they just didnt have plastic tanks back then. Of the 3 types sand has the worst micron filtration, wastes the most water and thus chemicals. The typical residential sand filter has 3 to 4 sq. ft. of filter area compared to 60' or more for DE or 500' or more cartridge in the same footprint. On a 600,000 gallon wave pool sand is the best choice, but for a residential pool pick something else.

I am assuming that when you say sand, you mean DE. Sand filters aren't too common on residential pools anymore. DE is technically considered a carcinogen and in some areas it is banned because you have to backwash the system, therefore flushing DE out to wherever your water goes. I have built pools with both, and I tend to like the cartridge filter better for conveinence. The DE does remove more microns of debris from the water, but there is debate as to if you would really notice the difference. Also, the multiport valve that is required with DE filters can cause serious injury if not operated properly.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Survival Guide to Buying And Building A Swimming Pool

Conall,

I read some of your blog. Your perspectives appear to be from a lawyer's or builder's point of view. That would be a great addition to this forum.

What are your qualifications?

Thank You;

Scott

Conall,

quote" I am assuming that when you say sand, you mean DE "quote

No, it means a residential sand filter.

quote" I tend to like the cartridge filter better for conveinence. "quote

High surface area (400+) multi-cartridge filters are the easiest for homeowners to maintain. And they're easier to deal with if a pool owner lets the water get behind them.

quote" there is debate as to if you would really notice the difference "quote

I'll answer that question right here.

In a typical pool 15000-25000 it's not really noticeably.
In a large body of water 50000+ it's noticeable, especially at night with the pool lamps on.

See ya,
Kelly

Each of the 3 types of filters, each has its pros and cons. I am a fan of an oversized cartridge filter. Truely, replacing the carts. is costly, but I dont see that lump-sum cost as being more than the long term costs of other filters. I sell pallets of DE each year and more grids than you can imagine, so DE is fine with me, but I will try to sell a new filter every time I see a sand filter over 5 years old. The advantage to a sand filter: You can teach a fourth grader how to use it.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am talking to my pool guy about the intelliflo pump.