Hayward CX2020RE Cartridge Element Replacement for Hayward C2002 Star-Clear In-Ground Cartridge Filter

I see a lot of reviews claiming this is not an original. I can only speak about the filter I received. It was a genuine Haward and well worth the money. Fits better than the knock-offs and is of better quality than my previous non-Hayward filter. Has worked like a charm. The filter was shipped in a box appropriate in size and had no damage.

Last longer than the other brands….eady to install.

Exact fix and was better priced than my local pool supply store.

So pleased w product! Sturdy top notch quality! Absolutely worth every penny & I will NEVER waste money on generic less quality brands ever again! Cleans pool in half the time of cheaper competitors.

Best product, last longer than other ones

I haven't purchased a “real” Hayward CX1750RE filter since my first one was replaced some 30+ years ago!! So to say that I’ve purchased some “pretenders” would be valid.The main purpose of this review is to educate you on the CRITICAL difference in the filter pretenders world of make-believe pool filters.Over the years, I’ve purchased other filters from suppliers, some of which were OK. They worked acceptably well and did last a few years. The price of these filters was apx $70 - $75.About 1 year ago, I bought one from an Amazon supplier that advertises an “ALL AMERICAN Replacement Cartridge” filter for apx $70 as I remember. You can look them up. The filter is NOT made in America other than the “label” is attached here.Here’s three items that are immediately obvious;1) There are less filter “elements” compared to a “real” Hayward CX1750RE Filter Cartridge2) There are FIVE bands around a C1750RE filter element; this one has THREE.3) The opening is stated to be 4” but a “real” Hayward Filter Cartridge opening is slightly less than 4”.The first two items will be ignored in favor of explaining number 3).The filter’s opening is key and you can test to see if it’s OK BEFORE you use it. If it fails the measurement, I would recommend that you return it ASAP b/c it won’t work properly. I used a micrometer to accurately measure the opening.The “real” Hayward filter is specified to have a 4 inch opening at the TOP and BOTTOM of the filter. However, the opening is SLIGHTLY smaller than that so that the PROPER SEAL CAN BE OBTAINED WHEN THE FILTER IS SEATED INTO THE MAIN FILTER BODY. This dimension is critical!The Hayward filter’s opening is 3.984 inches and there’s a LIP that is added to the Hayward Filter which creates that dimension. It is the EXTRA 0.016 inch that ensures a proper seal.The “ALL AMERICAN” filter, for example, measured opening was 4.005 inches. You might, incorrectly say, that it’s only 0.005 inches bigger than the “spec” so what’s wrong with that??? Answer. . . everything! It won’t seal properly. That’s why you pool doesn’t clear up after running your filter or takes LONGER to clear.To install the Hayward filter, a slight “push” on the top is required to seat the filter over the internal main body plenum. Ran the pool for 4 hours and it is filtering as it should.Hope that this helps you determine whether the filter will work in your Hayward 175 Sq Ft Pool Filter System.Update: 10/19/18 - I cleaned the filter today after apx 19 months of use before the high back pressure dictated cleaning. Yes, it was LOADED w/ dirt but cleaned up and is now back into the Hayward Pool Filter ready for another year+ of pool filtering.

UPDATE: After posting the below review, and and giving only 2 stars initially, a representative from Hayward contacted me. They were very helpful and replaced my damaged/defective cartridge free of charge. No hassles at all. Hopefully, my defective cartridge was just a fluke. However, the customer service at Hayward is exceptional. This alone will keep me as a customer for years to come. Very impressed.PREVIOUS REVIEWI did a lot of research and determined that I should replace my current Hayward filter with another one by Hayward and not a cheap knock off. My last one held up quite a long time and I was actually quite impressed. In fact, it lasted well over the regular shelf life that my local pool store guy told me that it would. So, I purchased another one on Amazon on March 8, 2016 (cheaper than my pool store guy was going to sell it to me for). I think I installed it about 1 week later. The filter looked the same as the old one and fit perfectly. I had no issues until today. When I went to clean it on my normal schedule, I noticed that two of the bands that are wrapped around it have come apart! The bands on my last filter didn't even come apart until right before I decided to replace it. Now, I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that these bands serve a purpose or they wouldn't be there in the first place. Hopefully, it will still work for the next year or so because I'm not spending another hundred-plus bucks on another one this season. Needless to say, it's very frustrating. Worst part about it is I'm past my return date since I bought it on Amazon and now I'm stuck with it.

Hayward filters are the best!! They outlast all others.