Pool Filters for Above-Ground and Inground Pools

Fine Filters stocks replacement pool filter cartridges, sand filter media, and pool water treatment for Hayward, Intex, and Pentair systems. We've shipped filters to homeowners across the US for over a decade, and pool season is when our phone rings most. Everything here ships free. Not sure which cartridge your housing takes? Call (732) 908-7681 and we'll pull up the spec with you.

Hayward Cartridges for SwimClear and Star-Clear Plus Filters

Hayward builds some of the most common residential filter housings in the country, so three cartridges here carry Hayward part numbers. The CX580XRE fits SwimClear C3020, C3025, and C3030 tanks at 81 square feet each, and those housings take four of them.

Star-Clear Plus owners should check the tank sticker first. The 120 square foot models use the CX1200RE, while the 150 square foot version takes the CCX1500RE. Mixing those two up is the most common ordering mistake we see.

Above Ground and Pentair Cartridge Replacements

Intex owners have it easier. Nearly every Krystal Clear filter pump Intex has sold takes the same Type A cartridge, and our Intex Type A 3-Pack, 29003E, covers that lineup. Three cartridges usually carry a small above-ground pool through a summer if you rinse them weekly.

For Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420 housings, the Future Way CCP420 4-Pack is the aftermarket alternative to Pentair's OEM set. Same 420 square feet of media, less money. We also carry an Ultra Series cartridge in trilobal fabric for anyone fighting heavy pollen or algae.

Sand Filter Upgrades and Algae Control Products

Not everything here is a cartridge. Pool filter balls replace roughly 50 pounds of #20 silica sand in a standard sand filter, and the 50-pack weighs about two pounds. They filter finer too, catching particles down to 3 microns, where sand tops out near 20. Rinse them, dry them, put them back.

The PoolRX+ unit drops into your skimmer basket and uses chelated copper minerals to keep algae down. Most owners see weekly chlorine use fall off. One unit runs about six months in pools between 7,500 and 20,000 gallons.

Skimmer socks are the cheapest item on this page and probably have the highest return. They catch pollen, sunscreen oil, and hair before it reaches your cartridge, so you deep clean less often.

Knowing When Your Pool Filter Needs Replacing

Watch the pressure gauge. Once the reading sits 8 to 10 PSI above where it normally runs after a cleaning, the filter is clogged. Clean it. Pressure that falls back to normal means you're good a while longer. If it doesn't budge, the media is worn out and rinsing won't bring it back.

Some signs show up in the water first. Cloudiness, chlorine won't clear, debris settling on the pool floor, or a weak return jet all point to the filter.

How Long a Pool Filter Cartridge Actually Lasts

Most cartridges give you one to two swim seasons. Heavy use shortens that, and so does skipping the rinse between deep cleans, since packed-in debris wears the pleats faster than water will. Hayward and Pentair both recommend cleaning every two to six weeks in peak season. That habit is the difference between a cartridge that lasts two summers and one that quits in August.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size pool filter do I need?

Sizing comes down to your pool's gallons and your pump's flow rate in GPM. Pools under 15,000 gallons run well on 100 to 200 square feet of cartridge area. Between 15,000 and 30,000 gallons, plan on 200 to 425 square feet. Your filter's maximum GPM rating has to meet or beat pump output, or you'll fight pressure all season.

What does replacing a pool filter cost?

Cost depends on the cartridge's square footage and brand. Multi-cartridge housings like the Hayward SwimClear C3030 take four, so budget for the full set. Filter balls and skimmer socks sit at the low end and stretch the life of whatever cartridge you already run.

Which filter type is best for a home pool?

Cartridge filters are the most popular choice for home pools. They filter to about 10 microns and waste no water on backwashing. Sand filters cost less upfront but only reach 20 microns, though filter balls close most of that gap. DE filters clean finest at 5 microns and ask the most of you in upkeep.

Can I clean a cartridge instead of replacing it?

Yes, and you should. Rinse the pleats with a garden hose every two to six weeks, spreading them apart so debris flushes out instead of packing deeper. Once or twice a season, soak the cartridge overnight in filter cleaner to cut the oils and scale water leaves behind.

Order and Support

Compatibility questions go to support@finefiltersstore.com or call (732) 908-7681, and we'll match the part to your pool. Round out your home filtration with our air filters and water filters.