Pump/ System Alternative

[treetops1]

Greetings,
I have been thinking about my pool system and whether there is an alternative approach. I am handy and a HOBBY mechanic/fabricator, but not a pool tech.

Background: We recently bought this home and have yet to use the pool. The pool heater has never been turned on, we have no desire to use it, and is only in place to fill a "place" on the circulation system. The pool is 18ft long, 8.5ft wide, and 3ft deep = ~460 gallons. In the photo you can see the two drains on the bottom, skimmer, and two jets. The filter is a Pentair "Clean and Clear" CC150, noted as being for 150gpm flow. The motor is a 3/4hp. The two other items on the water circuit are a "tower" fixture of unknown purpose, and a Pentair "Intellichlor" read out.
https://imgur.com/caEin4d
https://imgur.com/FUgbyS2
https://imgur.com/sdNKyTL
https://imgur.com/Cgjbyp2
https://imgur.com/ipl6rVf
https://imgur.com/draOMVg

--I despise this filter setup. The filter is a pain to handle, the unit is a pain to open, it seems antiquated, and I feel like the filters are not durable.
--I am familiar with the electric motor due to having grown up with one. They only seem to last 1-1.5 years and last time we replaced it the cost was over $450; parts + labor.

Shooting from the hip...... Why could I not replace the Pentair filter with a mesh style irrigation filter? These are nicer quality, easy to clean, and (circumstantially) much cheaper replacement filters.


Is there something better we could be using in place of this electric motor? Hypothetically I'm imagining some kind of transfer pump. Is there a more efficient way to operate a pool this size?

Thanks for your time and consideration.

[Throwaway543]

I'm not positive how small of a particle a mesh irrigation filter is able to filter out, but I found this website that seems like they can get down 37 microns. Sand filters which have the largest minimum particle size is still 20 microns. Cartridge filters are down to 5 microns and DE can get as small as 2 microns. That may not seem like much, but that's right in the area of different bacteria, pollen, and silt which means a cleaner and clearer pool.

[Teapot]

Exactly as Throwaway describes. For an easier life I would recommend a sand filter 24" but ideally filled with Dr Drydens activate media, this is a once in a lifetime media, it filters down to 4 microns and unlike DE which you cannot use flocculent with and of course DE is messy and expensive AFM glass is not. AFM with flocculent can filter less than a micron and the pool water will be amazing. AFM cannot biofoul like sand.
.75hp pump for a pool of that size is a bit large and never believe the flow rates manufacturers say on their filters because they tell lies just to try and impress. I have flow tested all my customers pools and not one makes the stated flow rate. What you do get is a higher pressure reading on the gauge and consequently a higher electricity bill and worn out pumps!