That's OK.  As long as the product is returned unused you will be refunded the full price of the product.  However, we are operating a business and because it was your mistake, you will be responsible for paying all shipping charges.  We had to pay UPS to ship it to you and you'll have to get it back to us to receive your refund.

That depends on several factors such as the type of filter you have (cartridge, D.E., or sand), how much the pool is used, whether the pool is screened in or open air, the amount of leaves or debris that get into your pool, etc.  All of these things help determine the frequency you should change your filter. 

For cartridge filters, the best indicator that we recommend is to look at the filter pressure gauge.  A new cartridge should have a pressure of 8 to 12 psi.  A good rule of thumb, is to rinse off the filter every time the pressure gets to 20 psi.  The speed of the water flow coming out the pool jets is another indicator.  If your water flow has slowed down noticeably it could be time to either clean out the pump debris basket, clean the filter, or replace the filter.   Another good indicator for a pool that gets used frequently is to replace the filters once a year to ensure your pool water flow is at it's best.  Having the proper water flow helps maintain the water clarity and balance. 

For D.E. filters, the grids typically last a very long time, sometimes 3,4,5 even 7 or 8 years is not unheard of.   A sign of needing to replace your D.E. Grids is seeing D.E. particles in the pool.  Typically, the grid covers tear with age and leak D.E. particles into your pool. 

If you have algae in the pool, it will almost surely ruin your cartridge filter.  No matter how many times you rinse off the cartridges after any significant amount of algae has been pushed into the filter, you will find it will be very difficult to get the cartridge to maintain a pressure under 20 psi.  If the pressue goes up to 20 psi or more within hours or days of rinsing your cartridge, this is a sign that it is time to get a new cartridge filter.

If you are in the market for a pool filter cartridge, D.E. grids, or most any other pool supply check us out at All Pool Filters 4 Less.

Gary

Owner/Operator of www.allpoolfilters4less.com

 Did you try our Product Search functionality?  It's on the upper right side of every page.  You can enter any keyword associated to your filter such as part number or model number.  Still can't find it?  Send us an e-mail at support@allpoolfilters4less.com and we'll be glad to assist you.  If it's not on our site yet, we can check with our distributor to see if it's available

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You should run your pool filter between 8 and 12 hours a day. However, the exact timing can also depend on factors such as:

• Your pool’s size
• The weather
• How often you use your pool

Naturally, you may need to run your system longer when you use your pool regularly, especially in the summer. This will help keep the water clean and circulating properly.

Proper winterizing helps prevent freeze damage and extends the life of your equipment. So be sure to do these things before winter arrives:

• Turn off the pool equipment
• Drain all the water from your filter system
• Remove any drain plugs.

Do you use cartridge filters? Then you should take them out and clean them thoroughly, and then store them in a dry place.

A good rule is to backwash your pool filter once the pressure gauge reads about 8 to 10 PSI higher than the normal starting pressure. That usually means dirt and debris are building up inside the filter.

You don’t want to backwash too often because that can reduce how efficiently the filter cleans the water. But if you wait too long, water flow can slow down and put extra strain on your pool system.

Check the gauge right after you clean or replace the filter to get your “normal” starting point. That number is usually around 10 to 20 PSI for a lot of pools, but every system is a little different.

The exact number is not that important. What you should be looking at is how much it changes. Does the pressure go up by about 8 to 10 PSI? Then the filter is probably getting clogged with dirt.

When your pool filter pressure suddenly drops, it could mean:

• Low pool water levels
• Clogged skimmer baskets
• Pump problems
• Air leaks
• There’s a blockage somewhere in the plumbing.
• The pressure gauge is faulty and is giving inaccurate readings

You should look out for signs such as:

• Cloudy water
• Weak water circulation
• Reduced jet pressure
• Unusual noises
• Leaking around the filter tank
• Pressure readings that stay abnormally high or low

The main thing is not to overdo it because if you use too much clarifier, it can gum up the cartridge and slow down the water flow. Follow the amount that's indicated on the product label.

1 to 3 years is the average answer to how long pool filters last, but it really depends on how often you use the pool and how well you look after the filter.

Cleaning it regularly can help it last longer. But if the cartridge is damaged, badly clogged, or just not cleaning the water properly anymore, it’s better to replace it instead of trying to stretch it out.

• Turn off the pump before removing the cartridge from the filter housing.
• Rinse the cartridge thoroughly with a garden hose. As you do, pay attention to the pleats where debris tends to accumulate.
• Soak the cartridge overnight in a filter-cleaning solution for deeper cleaning. This should remove oils and stubborn buildup.

You’ll often see cloudy water if the water chemistry is off. This can happen because of:

• Low sanitizer levels
• Poor circulation
• Algae growth
• Fine particles
• High calcium levels
• A filter that may be too small for your pool

The exact timing depends on the type of filter you’re using and its condition. With cartridge filters, you usually have to get new ones every 1 to 3 years. Meanwhile, sand and DE filters may last several years before you need to replace them. If the filter becomes damaged or stops cleaning the water effectively, you may have to replace it sooner rather than later.

Air bubbles usually mean there’s an air leak somewhere on the suction side of your system. This can happen because of:

• Loose pump lids
• Cracked O-rings
• Low water levels
• Plumbing leaks.
• Air entering the system

It’s normal to hear some noise while backwashing your filter because water flow reverses direction at high pressure. But if it’s unusually loud, it could mean any of the following things:

• Trapped air
• Worn internal components
• Loose fittings
• Debris inside the filter system.

You can reduce algae buildup by brushing the pool walls and floor thoroughly each day while running the filtration system continuously. Brushing helps loosen algae so the filter can capture it more effectively. You’ll also need to clean or backwash the filter regularly during the process because algae can clog the system quickly.

One common mistake is waiting too long to clean the filter, which forces the system to work harder than necessary. You can also shorten your filter’s lifespan by:

• Using the wrong cleaning products
• Ignoring pressure gauge readings
• Running the pump with low water levels
• Reinstalling damaged cartridges