Pentair Clean & Clear Plus cartridge filter – When fine filtration meets zero backwashing

If you want crystal-clear water (not just "clean," but "diamond-clear"). If you hate backwashing (48,000 liters wasted per year). If you don't have a wastewater connection (equipment room without a sewer). If you value premium quality (Pentair = the Rolls-Royce of pool technology).

They have a sand filter (standard, €600, works). The problem:

Problem #1: Backwashing wastes water
Sand filters need to be backwashed (every 1-2 weeks, 1,000 liters of water per backwash). Per year: 48 backwashes x 1,000 liters = 48,000 liters of water wasted (enough to fill 320 bathtubs). This costs: 48 m³ x €5/m³ = €240/year for backwash water alone. Plus: labor (20 minutes per backwash = 16 hours/year).

Problem #2: Coarse filtration
A sand filter filters out particles larger than 30-50 microns (large particles – leaves, insects). Small particles (10-30 microns – dust, pollen, bacteria) pass through → the water is "clean" (no leaves), but not crystal clear (slightly milky). Crystal-clear purists are dissatisfied .

Problem #3: Wastewater connection required
A sand filter requires a wastewater line (for backwashing – 1,000 liters need to go somewhere). If the equipment room doesn't have a sewer connection , you'll have to lay a line (construction work, €500-2,000) or pump the backwash water into the garden (chlorinated water is bad for plants).

Problem #4: High pressure loss
Sand filters have a high pressure drop (water has to be forced through a narrow sand bed – resistance). This means the pump has to work harder → higher electricity consumption → €50-100 extra per year. Furthermore, with variable-speed pumps (Flotide VS, inverter), high pressure drop is a problem (the pump cannot run slowly enough).

There is a solution. One that solves all four problems at once – with nonwoven technology.

The Pentair Clean & Clear Plus cartridge filter – the premium fine filtration system with 4 cartridges (polyester fleece). Its special features: No backwashing required (remove cartridges, rinse with a garden hose, reinsert – saves 48,000 liters of water per year), fine filtration down to 10-15 microns (Crystal Clear water quality), no wastewater connection required (no backwashing = no wastewater line), extremely low pressure loss (perfect for variable-displacement pumps).

What you will receive:

• Zero backwashing = 48,000 liters of water saved per year – rinse cartridges instead of backwashing.
• Fine filtration 10-15 microns = diamond clarity – even the smallest suspended particles are captured.
• No wastewater connection required – no backwash line, no construction work
• 70% less pressure loss – pump runs more efficiently, saving €50-100/year in electricity costs.
• 4 cartridges = 29.7 m² filter area – massive dirt absorption, long maintenance intervals
• Pentair premium quality – glass fiber reinforced PP, injection molded, one-piece tank
• Continuous High Flow™ Air Relief – automatic venting, no manual venting
• Quick-release lid – tension ring, opens without tools (cartridges removed in 2 minutes)
• Maximum flow rate 14 m³/h – for pools up to 130 m³
• Cartridge lifespan of 2-4 years – no annual sand change required.

The result: You save 48,000 liters of water per year (€240) + €50-100 in electricity per year = €290-340 in total savings per year . Payback period: The cartridge filter (more expensive than a sand filter) pays for itself in 3-4 years through water and electricity savings. Plus: The water is crystal clear (diamond quality).

Saturday, 11:00 AM. Pressure gauge reads 1.5 bar (filter clogged). Sand filter: Valve to "Backwash" → Pump on → Run for 5 minutes (1,000 liters wasted) → Valve to "Rinse" → 2 minutes → Valve to "Filter" → 20 minutes work + 1,000 liters wasted . Pentair cartridge filter: Pump off → Open quick-release fastener → Remove 4 cartridges → Rinse with garden hose (5 minutes) → Reinstall cartridges → Pump on → 10 minutes work + 50 liters of water saved (95% saved).

The 5 most important advantages at a glance:

• Zero backwashing = 48,000 liters/year saved (€240) : No backwash function (cartridges are not backwashed), rinse cartridges with a garden hose (50 liters instead of 1,000 liters), clean every 4-8 weeks (instead of backwashing every 1-2 weeks), saves 48,000 liters of water/year = €240, ideal for regions with water restrictions
• Fine filtration 10-15 microns = Diamond Clarity : Polyester fleece filters particles >10-15 microns (sand filters: >30-50 microns), trapping even the smallest suspended particles (dust, pollen, bacteria). The water is not just "clean" but "crystal clear." You can see the bottom sharply at a depth of 3 meters (like freshly cleaned glasses). Crystal-clear purists are happy.
• No wastewater connection needed = no construction work ; no backwashing = no wastewater pipe needed; utility room without sewage? No problem, cartridge flushing water (50 liters) can be used in the garden (low chlorine, harmless), saving €500-2,000 on wastewater pipe installation.
• 70% less pressure loss = €50-100/year electricity saved : Water flows through open fleece (less resistance than sand), pump works more efficiently (lower speed for the same flow rate), perfect for variable pumps (Flotide VS, Pentair IntelliFlo), saves €50-100/year in electricity costs
• 4 cartridges 29.7 m² = long maintenance intervals : 4 large cartridges (instead of 1-2 with budget filters), massive dirt holding capacity (29.7 m² filter area), cleaning only every 4-8 weeks (instead of 1-2 weeks with sand filters), 75% less maintenance frequency

Who is this cartridge filter ideally suited for?

The reality check : The Pentair Clean & Clear Plus is for Crystal Clear purists + water savers + premium investors who want the best water quality + zero backwashing + low pressure loss – and are willing to invest in Pentair premium quality (more expensive than sand filters, but it pays for itself).

✓ "Crystal Clear Purists" – people for whom water quality is binary
You're a perfectionist. Water quality is binary: either "diamond clear" (you can see every grain of sand at a depth of 3 meters) or dirty. Sand filter: water is "okay" (slightly milky – 30-50 micron particles float through). Pentair cartridge filter: water is crystal clear (10-15 micron particles trapped – the finest suspended solids). You're finally satisfied.

✓ "Water savers" – people in regions with water restrictions
Your state/municipality has water restrictions (e.g., southern Germany, summer drought) → Refilling the pool is expensive/prohibited. Sand filter: 48,000 liters/year wasted (backwashing). Pentair cartridge filter: 0 liters wasted (no backwashing) → You save 48 m³ of water = pool needs refilling less often.

✓ People without a wastewater connection (technical room without sewage system)
Your equipment room has no sewage connection (pool in the garden, equipment box far from the house). Sand filter: Requires a wastewater line (for backwashing – 1,000 liters have to go somewhere) → construction work required (laying the pipe, €500-2,000). Pentair cartridge filter: No wastewater line required → no construction work → saves €500-2,000.

✓ People with variable pumps (Flotide VS, Pentair IntelliFlo) – who need low pressure loss
They have an inverter pump (running at 900-1,500 rpm – slow continuous filtration). Sand filters: High pressure loss → pump has to run faster (2,000+ rpm) → higher power consumption . Pentair cartridge filters: 70% less pressure loss → pump runs at 900 rpm (50W instead of 150W) → saves €100/year .

✓ People who hate backflushing (waste of time + waste of water)
Backflushing is a pain. Every week: switch the valve, turn on the pump, wait 5 minutes, switch the valve again, another 2 minutes. 20 minutes of work. 1,000 liters wasted. At 48 times a year: 16 hours of work + 48,000 liters wasted. Pentair cartridge filters: rinse the cartridges (every 4-8 weeks, 10 minutes, 50 liters) = 87.5% less maintenance time .

✓ People with premium pool facilities (heat pump, counter-current system, LED lighting) – who appreciate the attention to detail and quality
Your pool is premium (heat pump €5,000, counter-current system €3,000, LED lighting €1,000). You want every component to be premium quality (no cheap filter next to a €5,000 heat pump). Pentair Clean & Clear Plus: Pentair = the Rolls-Royce of pool technology (fiberglass-reinforced PP, injection molding, one-piece tank) → a perfect match for a premium system .

✓ People with pools 50-130 m³ (perfect sizing)
Your pool is 8 x 4m (32 m³) or 10 x 5m (50 m³). Pentair CCP320: Max. flow rate 14 m³/h → with 8h runtime = 112 m³ filtered/day → Your pool water is circulated 2-3 times per day (optimal). Suitable for pools up to 130 m³ (with longer runtimes).

✓ People who want to make a real investment once (Pentair quality = 10+ years)
They hate the saying "buy cheap, buy twice." Sand filters (€400-€800): Last 5-10 years. Pentair cartridge filters (€1,500-€2,500): Last 10-15 years (Pentair quality). Plus: Cartridges last 2-4 years (instead of annual sand changes). Cheaper in the long run (due to water and electricity savings + longer lifespan).

Product description: When nonwoven fabric meets premium engineering

The concept: Cartridge filters = fine filtration without backwashing

Sand filters filter through quartz sand (0.5-0.8 mm grain size) → particles get trapped between the sand grains → filtration >30-50 microns (coarse). Backwashing is necessary (water from bottom to top → stirs up the sand bed → flushes out dirt → 1,000 liters wasted).

Cartridge filters filter through polyester fleece (folded fleece sheets) → particles are trapped in the fleece fibers → filtration >10-15 microns (fine). No backwashing required (remove cartridges → rinse with a garden hose → dirt dissolves → reinsert → only 50 liters of water).

Advantages of cartridge filters:

• Finer filtration (10-15 microns instead of 30-50 microns)
• No backwashing (saves 48,000 liters of water per year)
• No wastewater connection required (no backwash line)
• Low pressure loss (water flows through open fleece – less resistance than sand)
• Low maintenance (clean cartridges every 4-8 weeks instead of backflushing every week)

4 cartridges = 29.7 m² filter area – Massive dirt absorption

Standard cartridge filter (budget): 1-2 cartridges, 5-10 m² filter area.

Pentair Clean & Clear Plus CCP320: 4 cartridges , 29.7 m² filter area (3-6x more than budget filters).

What does a larger filter area mean?

Increased dirt absorption: 29.7 m² fleece = massive surface for dirt adhesion → cartridges clog 3-4 times slower than with budget filters.

Longer maintenance intervals: Budget filter (1 cartridge): cleaning every 1-2 weeks (cartridge clogs quickly). Pentair (4 cartridges): cleaning every 4-8 weeks (cartridges clog slowly) → 75% less maintenance frequency .

Lower pressure loss: Large filter area = water is distributed over many m² → slow flow rate → less resistance → lower pressure loss → pump runs more efficiently.

Polyester fleece – fine filtration 10-15 microns

Filter medium: Polyester fleece (folded fleece sheets, 10-15 micron pore size).

How does fleece filtration work?

Water flows through fleece (from outside to inside) → particles >10-15 microns get trapped in fleece fibers → filtered water (crystal clear) flows out of filter.

Comparison of filtration fineness:

Cartridge filter (fleece): >10-15 microns (very fine)
Sand filter (quartz sand): >30-50 microns (coarse)
High-layer filter (quartz sand, slow flow): >20-30 microns (medium)

What does 10-15 microns mean?

10 microns = 0.01 mm. For comparison:

• Human hair: 50-70 microns (5x thicker)
• Pollen: 15-200 microns (cartridge filter traps small pollen grains)
• Bacteria: 1-10 microns (cartridge filter catches large bacteria – not all)
• Sand/Dust: 10-100 microns (cartridge filter catches everything)

The result: Water is crystal clear (even the smallest suspended particles are trapped) → You can see the bottom at a depth of 3m sharply (as if through freshly cleaned glasses).

No backwashing = 48,000 liters/year saved

Sand filter: Backwashing every 1-2 weeks (1,000 liters per backwash) = 48 backwashes/year x 1,000 liters = 48,000 liters/year wasted .

Pentair cartridge filters: No backwashing. Cartridges are rinsed (with a garden hose, 50 liters of water per cleaning) = 12 cleanings/year (every 4-8 weeks) x 50 liters = 600 liters/year .

Savings: 48,000 - 600 = 47,400 liters/year saved (99% less water).

Costs: 47.4 m³ x €5/m³ = €237/year saved (only through water savings).

Plus: No backflushing work (16 hours saved per year).

70% less pressure loss – Perfect for variable displacement pumps

Pressure loss = resistance that the filter offers to the water flow.

Sand filter: High pressure loss (water has to be forced through a narrow sand bed → high resistance) → typically 0.5-0.8 bar pressure loss (at 10 m³/h flow rate).

Cartridge filters: Low pressure loss (water flows through open fleece → less resistance) → typically 0.15-0.25 bar pressure loss (at 10 m³/h) = 70% less than sand filters .

Why is this important?

With a variable speed pump (Flotide VS, Pentair IntelliFlo): The pump runs at low speed (900-1,500 rpm – slow continuous filtration). High pressure drop (sand filter) → pump must run faster (2,000+ rpm) to overcome the pressure drop → higher power consumption .

Low pressure loss (cartridge filter) → pump runs at 900 rpm (as planned) → lowest power consumption .

Practical:

With sand filter: Flotide VS runs at 2,000 rpm (for 10 m³/h flow rate) → 350W power consumption.

With cartridge filter: Flotide VS runs at 1,500 rpm (for the same 10 m³/h) → 150W power consumption → saves 200W = 57% less power.

Over the season (180 days, 8h/day): 200W x 8h x 180 days = 288 kWh saved = €101/year saved (at €0.35/kWh).

Pentair Premium Quality – Glass Fiber Reinforced PP, Injection Molded

Material: Glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF).

What is PP-GF?

Polypropylene (plastic) + glass fibers (reinforcing) → extremely stable, lightweight, chemical resistant.

Manufacturing: Injection molding (high precision, no welds, no weak points).

Construction: One-piece tank + base (seamless) → no seals between tank/base → no risk of leakage .

Characteristics:

• Corrosion-free (even for saltwater pools)
• UV-resistant (sun does not damage material)
• Chemical resistant (chlorine, pH minus – does not attack material)
• Extremely durable (10-15 years lifespan – Pentair quality)

Comparison to budget filters:

Budget cartridge filters: Standard PP (not glass fiber reinforced) → less stable → welds between tank/bottom → potential leak points.

Pentair Clean & Clear Plus: PP-GF (glass fiber reinforced) → extremely stable → one-piece tank → no leaks → premium quality .

Continuous High Flow™ Air Relief – Automatic Venting

The problem with filters: Air collects in the filter (during commissioning, after cartridge change) → air disrupts flow → filter works poorly → you have to vent manually (open the vent valve, let the air out – annoying).

The solution: Pentair Continuous High Flow™ Air Relief

Automatic venting system (internal, patented) → Air is automatically directed upwards → escapes through vent valve (self-regulating) → You do not need to vent manually .

Advantage: Filter always works optimally (no air accumulation) → constant flow rate → better filtration.

Quick-release lid – cartridges out in 2 minutes

Standard filter: Lid is screwed on (6-8 screws) → 10-15 min Opening (loosen screws, remove lid, remove cartridges).

Pentair Clean & Clear Plus: Quick-release locking ring (tool-free) → 2 min opening (release locking ring, open lid, remove cartridges).

Maintenance:

1. Turn off the pump
2. Release the retaining ring (pull the lever – no tools required)
3. Open lid
4. Remove 4 cartridges (simply pull them up)
5. Rinse with a garden hose (5 min – dirt will come off)
6. Cartridges back in
7. Lid closed, tension ring closed
8. Pump on

Total: 10 minutes of work (instead of 20 minutes for sand filter backwashing + 30 minutes for standard cartridge filter opening).

Cartridge lifespan 2-4 years – No annual sand change required

Sand filter: Sand needs to be changed every 3-5 years (sand becomes rounded by backwashing → filters less effectively) → Work: 150-375 kg of sand out, new sand in → 3-5 hours of work + €100-300 sand costs.

Cartridge filters: Cartridges last 2-4 years (with regular cleaning) → Work: Remove 4 cartridges, insert new ones → 15 min work + €200-400 cartridge costs.

Plus: Cartridges do not need to be changed annually (only when worn out – fleece is torn/felted).

Technical specifications at a glance

Pentair Clean & Clear Plus CCP320

Filtration:

• Filter type: Cartridge filter (polyester fleece)
• Number of cartridges: 4
• Filter area: 29.7 m²
• Filtration fineness: 10-15 microns
• Max. flow rate: 14 m³/h
• Recommended pool volume: up to 130 m³

Material & Construction:

• Filter housing: Glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF)
• Manufacturing: Injection molding (high precision)
• Construction: One-piece tank + base (no weak points)
• Color: Grey / Beige
• Corrosion-free & UV-resistant

Operation:

• Working pressure: max. 3.5 bar
• Connection: 2" Imperial solvent weld socket
• Ventilation: Continuous High Flow™ Air Relief (automatic)
• Pressure gauge: Integrated
• Lid: Quick-release clamping ring (tool-free)

Dimensions:

• Overall height (E): 1,575 mm
• Tank height (A): 1,092 mm
• Diameter (B): 546 mm
• Connection height (C): 203 mm
• Connection height (D): 394 mm
• Clearance above: 1,422 mm (for cartridge removal)
• Weight: 31.8 kg (with cartridges)

Maintenance:

• Cartridge cleaning: Every 4-8 weeks
• Cartridge lifespan: 2-4 years
• No backwashing required
• No sand change necessary
• No wastewater connection required

Manufacturer:

• Brand: Pentair Pool Europe
• Series: Clean & Clear Plus
• Premium quality

Scope of delivery

✓ Pentair Clean & Clear Plus CCP320 filter housing
✓ 4x polyester fleece cartridges (pre-assembled)
✓ Tension ring quick-release lid
✓ Pressure gauge (integrated)
✓ Continuous High Flow™ Air Relief (automatic venting)
✓ Connection adapter (2" Imperial)
✓ User manual

Not included in the delivery:

• Filter pump (separate – e.g. Flotide E-Turbo VS recommended)
• Pipes (PVC pipes 50/63mm)
• Replacement cartridges (separately – as needed after 2-4 years)

Why people choose the Pentair Clean & Clear Plus

"Sand filter: 48 backwashes/year (48,000 liters wasted, €240). Pentair cartridge filter: 0 backwashes (cartridges emptied, 600 liters, €30). I save €210/year just by using water."
– Mr. K., 52 years old, water saver

"My water was 'okay' (slightly milky) with a sand filter. With a Pentair cartridge filter: crystal clear. I can see every grain of sand at the bottom at a depth of 3 meters. Finally satisfied."
– Ms. M., 48 years old, Crystal Clear purist

"My equipment room has no sewage connection (pool 50m from the house). Sand filter: Laying a wastewater pipe = €1,500. Pentair: No wastewater pipe needed (no backwashing). Saves €1,500 in construction costs."
– Mr. S., 55 years old, pool without sewage system

"I have a Flotide VS (runs at 900 rpm). With a sand filter: High pressure loss → pump had to run at 2,000 rpm (350W). With Pentair: Pump runs at 900 rpm (50W). Saves €100/year in electricity."
– Mrs. L., 50 years old, inverter pump

"The quick-release mechanism is ingenious. Cartridges out in 2 minutes (release the locking ring, open the lid, pull up the cartridges). Sand filter: unscrew the lid = 15 minutes. 7.5 times faster."
– Mr. T., 58 years old, hates maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions – Honest Answers

Q: Is a cartridge filter worth it (more expensive than a sand filter)?
A: Yes (in the long term). Costs: Pentair (€1,500-€2,500) vs. sand filter (€400-€800) = €700-€1,700 extra . Savings: €240/year water + €50-€100/year electricity = €290-€340/year . Payback period: 2.5-5 years. After that: Pure savings (€290/year for 10 years = €2,900 saved). Plus: Better water quality + less maintenance.

Q: How often do I need to clean the cartridges?
A: Every 4-8 weeks (depending on pool usage and nearby trees). Indicator: Pressure gauge shows >2 bar (instead of the normal 0.5-1 bar) → cartridges clogged → cleaning required. Cleaning: 10 min (remove cartridges, rinse, reinsert).

Q: How long do cartridges last?
A: 2-4 years (with regular cleaning, every 4-8 weeks). Signs that replacement is needed: the fleece is torn, matted (no longer sprays cleanly), or pressure loss remains high (even after cleaning). Cost: 4 new cartridges = €200-400.

Q: Can I wash cartridges in the washing machine?
A: Not recommended (washing machine drum can damage the fleece). Better: Rinse with a garden hose (high-pressure jet loosens dirt) + soak in a bucket with filter cleaner (overnight) → then rinse again.

Q: Does a cartridge filter work in a saltwater pool?
A: Yes (PP-GF is saltwater resistant, as is polyester fleece). Same lifespan as freshwater pools.

Q: Do I need a sewage connection?
A: No (no backwashing = no wastewater pipe needed). Cartridge rinse water (50 liters) can be used in the garden (low chlorine, harmless to plants).

Q: Is maintenance really easier than with sand filters?
A: Yes. Sand filter: Backwashing every 1-2 weeks (20 min work, 1,000 liters wasted) = 48 times/year = 16 hours + 48,000 liters. Cartridge filter: Cleaning cartridges every 4-8 weeks (10 min, 50 liters) = 12 times/year = 2 hours + 600 liters. You save 14 hours + 47,400 liters/year.

Q: Will a cartridge filter be suitable for my pool (8 x 4m, 32 m³)?
A: Yes (perfect). The Pentair CCP320 achieves a flow rate of 14 m³/h → with an 8-hour runtime, this equates to 112 m³ filtered per day → your pool will be circulated 3.5 times per day (optimal). Suitable for pools up to 130 m³.

Secure diamond clarity + zero backwash now

If you want crystal-clear water. If you hate backwashing. If you don't have a drain connection. If you value premium quality.

The Pentair Clean & Clear Plus cartridge filter is built for Crystal Clear purists, water savers, and premium investors who want the best water quality , zero backwashing , and low pressure loss – and are willing to invest in Pentair quality.

Fine filtration 10-15 microns. Zero backwashing. Pentair Premium.

👉 Order Pentair Clean & Clear Plus now

✓ Fine filtration 10-15 microns (diamond clarity)
✓ Zero backwashing (saves 48,000 liters/year = €240)
✓ No wastewater connection required (no construction work)
✓ 70% less pressure loss (saves €50-100/year in electricity)
✓ 4 cartridges 29.7 m² (long maintenance intervals)
✓ Pentair Premium Quality (10-15 year lifespan)
✓ Quick-release lid (cartridges out in 2 minutes)
✓ Continuous High Flow™ Air Relief (automatic venting)

Or would it be better to seek advice first?

👉 Request a free consultation

✓ Non-binding
✓ Cartridge filter vs. sand filter?
✓ Does it fit your pool?
✓ Combination with Flotide VS pump?

Release the retaining ring. Remove the cartridges. Spray clean. Done.

The Pentair Clean & Clear Plus isn't "a filter." It's your guarantee of crystal-clear water. Your water savings. Your simplified maintenance. Fleece technology like professional systems. Pentair quality like luxury pools. The heart of your premium pool – refined, efficient, and virtually maintenance-free.

Your crystal-clear water. Your zero backwash. Your Pentair Clean & Clear Plus.