How to Install a Pentair QUAD D.E. Filter or a Pool Cartridge Filter

The Pentair Quad D.E. Filter is one of the best D.E. Filters on the market today. It combines the fine filtration of a D.E. Filter with the ease of cleaning presented in a Cartridge Filter. I will go over the installation of the Quad D.E. Filter in this article.



The first thing you need to know about the Quad D.E. Filter is that the Inlet and Outlet are reversed from your standard D.E. Filter. For that reason that is why the push/pull backwash valve will not work on this filter and if you have one installed on your old filter it should be removed. When talking to Pentair it is perfectly fine to install the Quad D.E. Filter without a backwash valve. The ease of cleaning the filter makes backwashing unnecessary and backwashing will shorten the lifespan of the cartridges.

If you do want to install a backwash valve, you will need to install a filter specific one found here:
Pentair 263080 FullFloXF High Performance Backwash Valve with Inlet on Top:

I prefer to install them without a backwash valve and in this installation it worked out well as the customer didn't want to invest the money for the cost of one.

Let me focus on an important detail that many installers miss. I have had a few comments on YouTube from homeowners who have had professionally installed Quad D.E. Filters with blown up or exploded cartridges. The reason; the installer installed it with the Inlet and Outlet reversed. Or to explain it better, installed it without reversing the Inlet and Outlet. The Inlet is from the pump and on a Quad D.E. Filter it is located on the top and the Outlet – water going to the heater or pool return is on the bottom. Again, the D.E. Filter that is being replaced has the Outlet on top and Inlet on bottom.


To give me extra time when I am cementing PVC pipes I like using the Weld-On Pool Heavy 746 Gray Glue 13569. It is carried by my local supplier and should be stocked in your local pool store or plumbing supply store. I like the Grey cement because it gives you some more time to fiddle with the PVC fittings before the cement dries. The regular Blue cement is very quick drying so you have to work very fast when using it. You can also use Weld-On 711 which is similar to the 746. You can read about the difference on their website:


A PVC cutting tool is essential for installation. I tried the cheaper ones and they tend to break after a few jobs. Basically if you are only doing one install at your own pool then order this cheap pair -expect it to last for at least this one job.

Superior Tool 37116 One Handed PVC Cutter: https://www.amazon.com/Superior-Tool-37116-Handed-Cutter/dp/B00WR1G15S/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=swimmingpooll-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=1973b82bdd4e520457b13302d522987c&creativeASIN=B00WR1G15S




For a longer lasting an more durable pair of cutters like the ones I used in this video, try:
Superior Tool Company 37115 PVC Pipe Cutter - Heavy Duty Cutter up to 2-1/2-Inch O.D.

You can also just use a hacksaw if you prefer. A hacksaw is recommend on older PVC pipe to prevent snapping.

I always like to do a dry fitting run thru first before I start to cement the PVC pipes together. I also use a Sharpie to mark the angles of any elbows so that when I do put everything together it will line up nicely. I carry couplings also in case I make an error and in this installation I did have to cut one straight PVC pipe afterwards when I made a slight angle error in my dry fitting. Not a big deal really and it can happen, so I also carry extra straight PVC and extra Elbows.

I use Primer on the PVC fittings but I have also done installs without it and it doesn't seem to make a big difference. Just be sure to wear gloves when using Primer as it is very strong and toxic and can burn your exposed skin.

Set time is always debated when I do an install video. I like to let everything set for 24 hours. So I wait until the next day to turn everything on. This eliminates any guessing as to when the cement is dry. After 24 hours it will be plenty dry. Problems arise when you turn everything on too soon. Better to err on the side of caution verses redoing the plumbing.

One note about the PVC pipe size. On this pool which was constructed in the 1970's they used 1 1/2” PVC pipes. If you also have 1 1/2” PVC pipes you can go bigger, meaning moving up to 2” PVC pipes. But this is also dependent on the pool return lines. In this pool it has two ½” stub pipe return lines in the deep end. This means that there was no real good reason to go up to 2” PVC since the return lines restrict the flow. But if your pool has standard return lines, going up to 2” PVC will help a bit with the water flow.

So watch the video as I install this Quad D.E. Filter and you should be able to also install your own filter.

Other Videos in this series:
Quad DE Filter Cleaning: http://youtu.be/2aoP-eTpiMs
Pentair QUAD D.E.® Cartridge Style Filter Overview: https://youtu.be/5IpTl-TaMeY
How to Add D.E. to a QUAD D.E.® Cartridge Style Filter: https://youtu.be/C0hC88udxBY
Pentair QUAD D.E.® Cartridge Style Filter Assembly: https://youtu.be/L4sp5M8Udck












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