Choosing a cartridge filter for your swimming pool cuts regular pool maintenance down significantly by providing incredibly simple operation. Contaminants & debris are collected in the fine fibers of the cartridge element pleats. The Cartridge element is easily removed from the filter tank for periodic cleaning eliminating the need for back-washing of the filtration system. Of course, each time the filter element is rinsed, the filtering ability is slightly reduced. If sized properly, well-maintained cartridges will last three to five years without needing to be replaced. Cartridge filters save water because they aren’t back-washed (like sand filters) which can waste thousands of litres of water per year.