Excellent comparison. Well-paced video. Pleatco's 'Advanced' and 'Anti-Microbial' series are tops in my book. When the band is close to separating from the hex nut, I usually reduce the RPMs a bit on drill and Multi-Tork socket and cup my hand close-but not on-the tension spring and nut to prevent their launch into outer space. The last thing I want is to have to stop and conduct a search and rescue mission in the weeds for the hardware.
Yes I know, but it is pretty cool when the bolt comes off in less then 3 seconds and goes flying! That is what makes using the Multi-Tork fun. Maybe you can have a contest of who can shoot the nut the furthest and give away a free 5 day Cruise - okay, maybe just a free Multi-Tork Socket set ;).
Thanks for the video. This confirms my experience with moving from a Pleatco to a Unicel filter. Unicel was not as good at filtering the water as the Pleatco.
The difference between the Jandy 460 OEM filters that came with my filter and the Pleatco replacements I bought a couple years ago is night and day. The OEM Jandys are always stained after removal and that can only be remedied by acid washing. The Pleatcos always come out bright and white and never need to be acid washed. The Pleatcos are much easier to clean - the filth comes right out from the media whereas it sticks to the Jandy filters (you can literally see the fibers on the Jandy media wanting to come away from the material and they really want to cling to the dirt. I'm very seriously considering tossing the Jandys (I rotate them with the Pleatcos) in favor of a second set of Pleatco filters.
Good videos! I would be interested in your comments comparing Pleatco vs. Sta-Rite filters. I currently have a Pleatco, but a pool service company suggested purchasing a Sta-Rite. I am not sure Sta-Rite is worth the investment at twice the price.
Hi I bought the pleatco based off this video but when I placed them in the cartridge holder the cartridge support felt like it was loose on the bottom of the filter but the tops felt snug so I flipped them to see if it was the same fit it was still loose at bottom but snug on top is that the way there supposed to fit on the bottom support?
Stay away from cloth type filters!!! They clog up too fast and need washing every month instead of 4-6 months. I replaced it with normal paper filters and pool cleared up and stayed clean.
Hey I really like all your videos. But I have a question in my hayward 4030 I have the original cartridges. They never seem to get dirty evenly. Seems like the two closest to the inlet do most of the work. Makes sense to me. Have you noticed this? In this video you pointed out that some cartridges were more evenly dirty while othere were uneven. Have you tried moving the cartridges to different locations to see if this is always the case?
This was my first thought. I agree with you that the location of where the filter is in a relation to the inlet and outlet absolutely do make a difference on how dirty each of the filters get depending on their location. 😊
I'm a believer. I'll never, ever buy OEM cartridges unless they're made with the Pleatco media and don't cost any more than Pleatco (which is pretty much never, ever going to happen).
I replaced my factory pool cartridges this year and went with Pleatco Advanced. Two of the filters do not fit snug on the bottom manifold. They just sit on top very loose. Will that be a problem? My water isn’t as clear as it use to be. Cloudy, I can really see it when I turn my lights on at night. Suggestions?
Newbie here...i have an opal xl fter system that uses Waterco cartridges. What is the easiest way to cross reference cartridges for purchase? For example, I'm wanting to buy excel, but it seems like each company has their own part numbers. I have tried searching by the number i see on the current cartridge (701038 and 701041 for example, but hundreds of results that are not the same filter. Is there a chart that i can compare against all manufacturers of cartridges. Sorry if this question is really silly...
I've had 2 pleatco's. each have lost their structural integrity at the bottom after 1-2 seasons of summer only use. they buckle when you push on the bottom ring. I believe this causes the filters to lose their 'seal' allowing unfiltered water to pass thru. both allow debris to spit back into the pool. the bands break as well. sta-rite posi flow filter at 20 psi. I keep returning to a very old(8+ years) unicel. much more structural esp for all the use it has seen. unfortunately the psi is getting quite high so needing to replace. unfortunate for me to hear the 'excellent' review for the pleatco. perhaps they just don't make the unicels like they used to? Or the pleatcos are only meant to last a season?
Pleatco has a new version Called Pleatco Advanced Ultra without the bands and with a new built in rigid structure in the pleats themselves to prevent this. Maybe try those.
@@SPL I will check that out. Thank you so much for the reply and all your great advice and tips. I have learned a great deal from your channel over the years!
Hi! After watching your video I went ahead and placed an order for the Excel XLS-718 filter cartridge for the Pentair CCP420 filter. However I have seen very poor reviews for this cartridge every where on the internet. Could you please let me know whether it’s still a good cartridge filter as you seem to rate it just below the Pleatco and above Unicel and Filbur. Please advise🙏
@@SPL Thanks for your prompt reply. Actually I currently have Unicel which has grown old now. Then after watching your video I placed an order for Pleatco PCC-105, which got back logged and my order got cancelled. Then went ahead with Excel XLS-718 post watching your video. Will keep you posted on how it looks after a week/month or so. Thanks for the wonderful and informational content you put out in your channel🙏
Do you know what would cause a pool filter to look scrunched at the bottom? I seem to have this issue often. I buy the Porpoise PAP150-M4. Every pool store I ask gives me a different answer. Thanks.
Not cleaning them often enough and the water pressure builds up due to dirty cartridges causing the cartridge to scrunch. See if Pleatco makes that size, they are very durable.
If you can clean the cartridges, why do you want to change them anyway? I'm wondering as I just got a CCP320 and a new pump. I used to have a sand filter which was a pain to clean and wasted a lot of water to back flush it. I was just wondering why I would spend extra money in buying new cartridges if I can just clean them up once a year and put them back in?
They can last quite a long time with proper cleaning. But they are "paper" and after about 4-5 years they just don't clean up as well. Fortunately for your filter size all four are less than $200, so it is not too bad when the time comes.
You might also need ones much sooner if you try adding de to speed up cleaning. Even after tsp soak and acid clean I'm basically dead heading my pump. $125 shipped for set of for pleatco from Amazon for the 320 filter. Adding in a check valve flow meter so I can notice flow issues easier.
I need help my excel filters are loose on the bottom and top manifold and there brand new. does that mean i have bad filters or does it mean my manifolds are no good? i think its the filters because if u use them like that they will float off the manifold and cause blow by and not filter the water at all. Any ideas or advice?
That sounds like a hell of a lot of work. Sounds like whoever planned that pool went way undersize on the filter. IMHO you should get a minimum of two months of use out of a cartridge filter, even in the busiest part of your swim season.
@@SPL I just bought a Waterway pool pump with cartridge a few weeks ago. The pump started out at 13 psi and is now up to 19 after two weeks. My pool was very dirty from leaves that fell in through my cover. Bottom was slimy. Should I cleaned out the cartridges to restore them to a lower PSI?
Excellent comparison. Well-paced video. Pleatco's 'Advanced' and 'Anti-Microbial' series are tops in my book. When the band is close to separating from the hex nut, I usually reduce the RPMs a bit on drill and Multi-Tork socket and cup my hand close-but not on-the tension spring and nut to prevent their launch into outer space. The last thing I want is to have to stop and conduct a search and rescue mission in the weeds for the hardware.
Yes I know, but it is pretty cool when the bolt comes off in less then 3 seconds and goes flying! That is what makes using the Multi-Tork fun. Maybe you can have a contest of who can shoot the nut the furthest and give away a free 5 day Cruise - okay, maybe just a free Multi-Tork Socket set ;).
Never compromise on pool circulation by reducing RPMs. Replace filters instead.
Very good video. Thankyou. I would recommend that before buying the cleaning tool that viewers read the one star reviews on Amazon.
Many thanks, I always wondered what I was buying and noticed the differences in material and cleaning. Now I know.. thanks again!!!!
Thanks for the video. This confirms my experience with moving from a Pleatco to a Unicel filter. Unicel was not as good at filtering the water as the Pleatco.
Having tried all 4.
Unicell is by far the best
The difference between the Jandy 460 OEM filters that came with my filter and the Pleatco replacements I bought a couple years ago is night and day. The OEM Jandys are always stained after removal and that can only be remedied by acid washing. The Pleatcos always come out bright and white and never need to be acid washed. The Pleatcos are much easier to clean - the filth comes right out from the media whereas it sticks to the Jandy filters (you can literally see the fibers on the Jandy media wanting to come away from the material and they really want to cling to the dirt. I'm very seriously considering tossing the Jandys (I rotate them with the Pleatcos) in favor of a second set of Pleatco filters.
Would do that. The OEM cartridges are not anywhere as good as Pleatco as you can tell. 👍
Good video. 8 years later what filter do you recommend?
Pleatco Advanced Ultra. New bandless cartridges.
Very informative, helpful, and well done!
Thanks for some great tutorials. Is it possible to repair torn pleats that allow dirt back into the pool?
No, once there is a rip chances are the cartridge is worn out anyway. They are not super expensive to replace.
Thanks for this video. It is good to buy the best. I subscribed and liked.
Another great video. Thank you!
Good videos! I would be interested in your comments comparing Pleatco vs. Sta-Rite filters. I currently have a Pleatco, but a pool service company suggested purchasing a Sta-Rite. I am not sure Sta-Rite is worth the investment at twice the price.
+Terry Mullins Probably not worth double the price. Go with Pleatco.
Could you compare pleatco advanced vs pleatco pure what is the difference
Hi I bought the pleatco based off this video but when I placed them in the cartridge holder the cartridge support felt like it was loose on the bottom of the filter but the tops felt snug so I flipped them to see if it was the same fit it was still loose at bottom but snug on top is that the way there supposed to fit on the bottom support?
The bottom tends to be very tight. You have to twist and fight it to go in sometimes.
Thanks. Appreciate your time
Do you use DE powder on all filters or can you not use it? I’m cleaning my filters once a week because it keeps getting clogged.
No DE on cartridge filters. Maybe it's time for new cartridges.
Stay away from cloth type filters!!! They clog up too fast and need washing every month instead of 4-6 months. I replaced it with normal paper filters and pool cleared up and stayed clean.
Awesome review! Thank you!
Hey I really like all your videos. But I have a question in my hayward 4030 I have the original cartridges. They never seem to get dirty evenly. Seems like the two closest to the inlet do most of the work. Makes sense to me. Have you noticed this? In this video you pointed out that some cartridges were more evenly dirty while othere were uneven. Have you tried moving the cartridges to different locations to see if this is always the case?
This was my first thought. I agree with you that the location of where the filter is in a relation to the inlet and outlet absolutely do make a difference on how dirty each of the filters get depending on their location. 😊
So, long term, which filter last longer. Is spending 25.00 more for a Pleatco worth the investment over an OEM?
+MrSilverTrumpet Pleatco are the best. My wholesale distributor now uses Pleatco for their brand labeled cartridges.
I'm a believer. I'll never, ever buy OEM cartridges unless they're made with the Pleatco media and don't cost any more than Pleatco (which is pretty much never, ever going to happen).
Thx for the video. Very helpful!!!
I replaced my factory pool cartridges this year and went with Pleatco Advanced. Two of the filters do not fit snug on the bottom manifold. They just sit on top very loose. Will that be a problem? My water isn’t as clear as it use to be. Cloudy, I can really see it when I turn my lights on at night. Suggestions?
They should fit snug. I would take it apart and try to reset the cartridges.
Newbie here...i have an opal xl fter system that uses Waterco cartridges. What is the easiest way to cross reference cartridges for purchase? For example, I'm wanting to buy excel, but it seems like each company has their own part numbers. I have tried searching by the number i see on the current cartridge (701038 and 701041 for example, but hundreds of results that are not the same filter. Is there a chart that i can compare against all manufacturers of cartridges.
Sorry if this question is really silly...
Usually I go off of the filter make and model. Easy from there. Just google your filter model and the cartridges should pop up.
I've had 2 pleatco's. each have lost their structural integrity at the bottom after 1-2 seasons of summer only use. they buckle when you push on the bottom ring. I believe this causes the filters to lose their 'seal' allowing unfiltered water to pass thru. both allow debris to spit back into the pool. the bands break as well. sta-rite posi flow filter at 20 psi. I keep returning to a very old(8+ years) unicel. much more structural esp for all the use it has seen. unfortunately the psi is getting quite high so needing to replace. unfortunate for me to hear the 'excellent' review for the pleatco. perhaps they just don't make the unicels like they used to? Or the pleatcos are only meant to last a season?
Pleatco has a new version Called Pleatco Advanced Ultra without the bands and with a new built in rigid structure in the pleats themselves to prevent this. Maybe try those.
@@SPL
I will check that out. Thank you so much for the reply and all your great advice and tips. I have learned a great deal from your channel over the years!
Pleatco advanced ultra are hard to find. Who sells them?
Hi! After watching your video I went ahead and placed an order for the Excel XLS-718 filter cartridge for the Pentair CCP420 filter. However I have seen very poor reviews for this cartridge every where on the internet. Could you please let me know whether it’s still a good cartridge filter as you seem to rate it just below the Pleatco and above Unicel and Filbur. Please advise🙏
The reviews are still constantly good unless something has changed at the factory recently these are a great choice.
@@SPL Thanks for your prompt reply. Actually I currently have Unicel which has grown old now. Then after watching your video I placed an order for Pleatco PCC-105, which got back logged and my order got cancelled. Then went ahead with Excel XLS-718 post watching your video. Will keep you posted on how it looks after a week/month or so. Thanks for the wonderful and informational content you put out in your channel🙏
Do you know what would cause a pool filter to look scrunched at the bottom? I seem to have this issue often. I buy the Porpoise PAP150-M4. Every pool store I ask gives me a different answer. Thanks.
Not cleaning them often enough and the water pressure builds up due to dirty cartridges causing the cartridge to scrunch. See if Pleatco makes that size, they are very durable.
Thank you.
If you can clean the cartridges, why do you want to change them anyway? I'm wondering as I just got a CCP320 and a new pump. I used to have a sand filter which was a pain to clean and wasted a lot of water to back flush it. I was just wondering why I would spend extra money in buying new cartridges if I can just clean them up once a year and put them back in?
They can last quite a long time with proper cleaning. But they are "paper" and after about 4-5 years they just don't clean up as well. Fortunately for your filter size all four are less than $200, so it is not too bad when the time comes.
ok I'll revisit the video in a few years then. Thank you for all the work you are doing, very instructive and always a pleasure to watch!
You might also need ones much sooner if you try adding de to speed up cleaning. Even after tsp soak and acid clean I'm basically dead heading my pump. $125 shipped for set of for pleatco from Amazon for the 320 filter. Adding in a check valve flow meter so I can notice flow issues easier.
I need help my excel filters are loose on the bottom and top manifold and there brand new. does that mean i have bad filters or does it mean my manifolds are no good? i think its the filters because if u use them like that they will float off the manifold and cause blow by and not filter the water at all. Any ideas or advice?
Try turning the cartridges upside down and see if they fit better
Ok and if thats doesnt work then what can i do? Return them or can i jimmy rig somwone to keep them from floating up ?
Do you have a cost comparison?
They are all relatively similar in price.
I purchased the Aqua Comb and the first time I used it the knob blew off the unit with the water pressure running through it! JUNK
fwiw I rinse my filters weekly(daily during pool opening) and soak them in cascade dishwasher detergent once a month
That sounds like a hell of a lot of work. Sounds like whoever planned that pool went way undersize on the filter. IMHO you should get a minimum of two months of use out of a cartridge filter, even in the busiest part of your swim season.
Don't you need a cleaning solution?
Not needed.
@@SPL I just bought a Waterway pool pump with cartridge a few weeks ago. The pump started out at 13 psi and is now up to 19 after two weeks. My pool was very dirty from leaves that fell in through my cover. Bottom was slimy. Should I cleaned out the cartridges to restore them to a lower PSI?