Pentair 188624 FullFloXF FV60 D.E. Pool Filter — 58 sq ft Fiberglass with Built-In Backwash Valve, 2 in — Genuine OEM

The Pentair 188624 FullFloXF FV60 is a 58 sq ft fiberglass grid-style D.E. pool filter with the backwash valve built into the tank — no separate multiport to plumb, buy or leak. It handles up to 116 GPM on 2 in plumbing.

Why "FV60" Is Rated 58 sq ft

The 60 in the model name is rounding, not the rated area. Pentair's brochure and printed catalog both specify 58 sq ft and 116 GPM, and the turnover figures confirm it — 55,680 gallons over 8 hours works out to exactly 116 GPM. Pentair's own web page says 60 sq ft / 120 GPM, which contradicts its own turnover column. We list the catalog figures.

FV60 or FV72? — Read This Before Ordering

• 188624 FV60 (this one): 58 sq ft, 116 GPM, 70 in vertical clearance
• 188625 FV72: 72 sq ft, 144 GPM, 76 in vertical clearance

Both tanks are 21.5 in across, both run 2 in plumbing, and both take the same 7.2 lb D.E. charge. Measure the clearance above your filter before you order. You need 70 in of headroom here to lift the lid and pull the grid assembly — under a low equipment-room ceiling or a deck overhang, that is the figure that decides it, not the price.

Sizing by Pool Volume

At an 8-hour turnover the FV60 suits pools up to about 55,680 gallons. At a more relaxed 12-hour turnover it covers up to 83,520. Oversizing a D.E. filter is rarely a mistake — more area means longer runs between cleanings and less back pressure on the pump — so if you are between sizes and have the headroom, the FV72 is the safer pick.

Why D.E. Rather Than Sand or Cartridge

Diatomaceous earth coats the grids and filters finer than either sand or cartridge media, down to a few microns. It is what you choose when water clarity is the priority. The trade-offs: D.E. needs recharging after every backwash, and spent D.E. slurry has disposal rules in many jurisdictions — check locally before committing to the technology.

⚠️ Never Run It Without D.E.

Pentair's manual is blunt: "If filter operates without diatomaceous earth (D.E.) for more than 3 minutes, filter elements may be damaged." Recharge with 7.2 lb of D.E. after every backwash before the pump goes back on.

Key Features

• 58 sq ft of D.E. filtration: up to 116 GPM.
• Built-in backwash valve: backwashing is one lever, with no separate multiport in the plumbing.
• Fiberglass reinforced tank: will not rust or corrode in pool chemistry.
• Finest filtration of the three media types: D.E. traps down to a few microns.
• 2 in plumbing: suits standard residential pad layouts.
• 21.5 in diameter: same footprint as the FV72, so the pad layout is unchanged between sizes.

Specifications

• Part Number: 188624
• Product: FullFloXF FV60 fiberglass D.E. filter, 4000-Series
• Filter Area: 58 sq ft
• Maximum Flow Rate: 116 GPM
• Plumbing: 2 in
• Filter Diameter: 21.5 in
• Vertical Clearance Required: 70 in minimum, to remove the lid and internal elements
• Maximum Working Pressure: 50 psi
• D.E. Media Required: 7.2 lb (3.3 kg)
• Turnover, 8 hours: 55,680 gal
• Turnover, 10 hours: 69,600 gal
• Turnover, 12 hours: 83,520 gal
• Valve: Built-in 2 in rotary backwash valve (service parts 178828 assembly, 073370 rotor and seal)
• Tank Material: Fiberglass reinforced polypropylene
• Anchor Clamp Kit: 178840, sold separately, recommended in high-wind and seismic areas
• Larger Size: FV72, item 188625
• Brand: Pentair (Genuine OEM)

Installation and Safety

Pentair states "only a qualified plumbing professional should install this filter." Key points from the manual: maximum working pressure is 50 psi; do not pressure test with compressed air; do not connect to a high-pressure or city water supply; open the air relief valve and wait for pressure to reach zero before servicing; keep electrical controls at least 5 ft from the filter; mount on a level concrete slab; support piping independently; and use only PTFE or silicone lubricant on the O-rings, never petroleum-based.

Warranty — Read This Before You Buy Online

Pentair lists filters at a 2-year parts and labour warranty, but its published policy carves out online purchases: "Products purchased from the internet, including Authorized Pentair Online Resellers, receive a one-year parts only warranty from the date of purchase," and "labor is not covered for... internet purchases." The three-year bundle warranty also excludes internet purchases. The internal D.E. grids are classed as consumables at one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it 58 or 60 square feet?

58. The 60 in the model name is marketing rounding. Pentair's brochure and catalog both specify 58 sq ft and 116 GPM, and the published turnover figures only work out at 116 GPM.

How much headroom do I actually need?

70 inches above the filter, minimum. That is Pentair's figure for lifting the lid and withdrawing the grid assembly for cleaning. If you cannot clear it, you cannot service the filter without unplumbing and moving the tank.

What is the difference between this and the 188625 FV72?

Area and flow. The FV72 gives 72 sq ft and 144 GPM against this filter's 58 sq ft and 116 GPM, and needs 76 in of clearance rather than 70. Same 21.5 in diameter, same 2 in plumbing, same 7.2 lb D.E. charge.

Does it include the backwash valve?

Yes, a 2 in rotary valve is built into the tank. There is no separate multiport to buy or plumb.

How much D.E. does it take?

7.2 lb, roughly 14 one-pound scoops, and it is not included. Recharge after every backwash — running the filter without D.E. for more than three minutes can damage the grids.

How do I size this against my pump?

The filter should be rated at or above your pump's maximum flow. At 116 GPM this filter suits most residential single and variable speed pumps, but check your pump curve at your system's actual head rather than its nameplate horsepower.

How does it ship?

As a freight shipment rather than by parcel carrier. Inspect the carton on delivery and note any damage on the carrier paperwork before you sign.

California Proposition 65 Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.