What type pool filter is best

If you want to soak it in muriatic acid and water it will clean it better but it is more costly and less safe. I have two filters and I would suggest you should always have two good filters. Filter last about two years depending on how dirty your pool gets. One additional comment would be helpful. The cleaning of a cartridge filter can be a bit prohibitive in respect to costl If you plan to use a pool cleaning company be sure and ask what they will charge for the cleaning of the cartridge s.

Also determine the cost of replacement of the cartridges. Do not sand filters now use a glass medium which makes them a better filter than you state in this blog? Glass has a tighter turbid catch, with an ability to filter down to 9 microns.

Some brand claims go as low as 3 microns. This DE-quality filtration can be achieved without chloramine-producing flocculants and shock treatments, which is one reason glass is most commonly found at indoor pools where air quality is a top concern. I do believe your blog is way outdated when it comes to sand type filters. Then can be as good as DE type and certainly better than filter types! No way not even close to DE, I had one of these fancy sand filter cans.

Used the premium sand, it still stinks compared to DE. Ran the same setup on DE, same square foot cleaning capacity and same variable speed motor. Both years the water was shocked one per week with liquid chlorine.

Sand is still light years away and sub par to DE. I have used all three filter medias for the last 30 years. It depends on the environment you live in. Cartridge filters work best in residential areas and with low flow water through the filter media particle size microns.

Also using a phosphate neutralizer will help keep the algae away. Algae eats phosphates take away their food and they die. Presently I am switching over to sand filter using Zeolite. I have seen that done and it does not work as good as DE actually One of my customers tried the glass media in their sand filter twice crappy job removing sand switched to glass had issues, cleaned it out again and all parts were good filled it up again and used for 6 months still not happy so they switched to a cartridge.

Why was glass a pain to remove from the filter? Also, have you come across any other sand alternatives on your jobs you care to share your experience with? I believe it also filters down to almost 5 microns. Which is awesome. Sand Filters The most traditional type of pool filter is the sand filter. Pros Typically, the most compact and affordable Minimal maintenance Easy to clean backwash Straightforward operation Replace the sand every 5 to 7 years Cons Lower filter ability compared to cartridge and D.

Pros Low maintenance Easy to clean and replace filter cartridges The easiest type of filter to install Cons Heavy algal build-up can potentially clog the cartridge. You will need to rinse the cartridge more frequently.

Depending on the make and model, the price of a replacement cartridge can be high Works best with slow flow rates Diatomaceous Earth D. Filter If you are looking for the best way to filter your pool, D. Pros Best filtration ability Can go a few months without backwashing Grids can last several years if properly cared for Cons You must add D. Filter to a Sand Filter?

Which Pool Filter Is Best? Hello, I live in Ca and am looking to install a pool with no more than 15, gallon capacity. Ok, I have had all three filter on three different pools.

Like the article above sand filters have the pros and cons and agree with everything! I totally agree with the article! Still pretty nice polished water. Owned pool for 30 years. Put DE In skimmer slowly. It will get pulled to cartridge and coat it. Hi, Thank you for the very informative article. My pool is 42, gallons. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. August 10, Matthew Simmons. This is Poolside Chat where every week we answer your questions on how to fix and maintain your swimming pool.

Read Now. That said, eight hours is probably plenty of time to keep smaller pools sparkling clean. Compatible with both in- and above-ground pools, the sand filter offers a multi-port for filtering, backwash, winter, re-circulation, closed, rinse, and waste modes.

The different modes help make winterizing and cleaning straightforward, though the small opening for sand can make filling and removing sand a challenge. We like that each system comes with a one-year warranty and the fact that you can remove the cartridges for cleaning or replacement in a snap.

Not sure where to start when it comes to buying a pool filter? No worries. Here are the research criteria we use to determine which filters are the best for each category.

Cleaning the water in your pool is the primary function of a filter. But how does it work? When your pump comes on, it circulates water through the pool filter, cleaning it with a range of media. Most pool pumps use one of three filtration methods: sand, diatomaceous earth DE , or cartridge.

Each method has a wide range of effectiveness depending on the filter model, so we judged effectiveness as compared to other filters in the same category. Sand filters circulate water through a canister with pounds of sand inside. Like it does underground, sand filters particles out of the water, preventing debris and soil from clouding up your pool water.

The finer the sand, the smaller the particles microns it can clear from the water. The standard sand used in most filters in 20 silica sand which grabs size 20 microns and larger. However, a lot of pool owners are opting for some sand alternatives to help improve filtration efficiency. You can add D. It wastes water when backwashing, a few thousand gallons per season in most cases. The sand inside the filter should be changed every years, which is not too difficult or expensive.

Sand filters are the oldest and most common type of pool filter. The filter tank is filled with a specific grade of sand called No. Water enters the tank and is pushed down through the sand, which traps dirt and debris. The water travels all the way down to the bottom of the tank, where it enters the laterals and then is returned back into the pool.

In the cutaway image you can see the laterals at the bottom of the tank. Water filters through these slotted pipes, and then goes up the center pipe to be returned to the pool. They are also available with side-mounted valves and top-mounted inspection ports. Side mount sand filters are NSF certified, and can be used with a less restrictive Slide Valve, but are priced a bit higher than top mount sand filter models.

Sand filters are capable of filtering particles about microns in size, which technically makes them the least effective among the three pool filter types in terms of the particle size removed. They are the easiest to maintain, requiring backwashing or cleaning to remove dirt from the filter when the pressure gauge has a reading of psi over the startup reading. Eventually backwashing will no longer be able to remove the buildup.

The sand particles will become smooth and unable to trap debris, and the sand will need to be replaced. On average this is required about every years, but it can be much sooner for undersized sand filters. The sand probably needs to be replaced when more frequent backwashing is required and it is difficult to maintain filter pressure at a normal level or clear up pool water problems. Pros: There is no multiport valve necessary so plumbing is easier, and with no multiport valve there is no backwashing, which is environmentally friendly because it conserves water and because DE powder is not discharged.

And since there is no multiport valve, there are no multiport valve repairs. Cartridges filter the water better than sand but less than DE. Cons: With a single-pleated filter inside you need to clean the filter cartridge fairly often. With the large cluster type of filter, normally four filters, you still need to clean the filters but only once or twice during the pool season.

To clean the filter cartridge or cartridges you open up the filter, take the cartridges out and spray them with a hose, which takes minutes. Cartridge filters are so named because they contain a pleated spun polyester filter cartridge that looks similar to the air filter you will find in your car. Water is forced through the cartridge pleats and it will trap debris as small as microns, a significant improvement over sand filters.

Cartridge filters require little maintenance. An oversized cartridge filter only needs to be cleaned about every six months, or whenever the filter pressure is psi over the standard reading. Each time a pool cartridge is cleaned some of its filtering ability is lost, and eventually oils and debris will build up to the point that they cannot be removed, so cartridges do need to be replaced usually every years.

Some filters may have several cartridges. Pros: The DE filter has the advantage of filtering the water to the smallest particle size microns and will keep the water cleaner than a sand filter or cartridge filter. This can translate to less pump run time and less sanitizer needed to keep the water clean and clear. DE is the superior form of pool filtration. Cons: DE filters require the most amount of maintenance. After backwashing your filter you must add replacement DE powder through your skimmer to recoat the grids inside your pool filter.

With a DE filter you also need to take the filter apart every six months to clean the filter grids manually. Lastly, the DE filter is the most expensive filter to purchase. DE, or Diatomaceous Earth, filters remove particles down to microns in size, a smaller particle size than can be seen by the naked eye, making them the most effective filter type.

The filter contains either fingers or grids grid assembly shown that is covered by a fine powder called diatomaceous earth. It is this powder that actually does the bulk of the filtering. DE powder is generally sold separately from the filter itself and is added by pouring it through the skimmer. Like a sand filter, a DE filter must be backwashed when its pressure gauge reads psi above its normal reading. Backwashing will flush most of the DE powder out of the filter.

Your city may have certain DE disposal requirements; avoid backwashing into streams or sanitary sewer systems. Backwashing is easily accomplished by shutting off the pump and turning the filter valve handle multiport valve shown in image above to the backwash position. There are actually new cartridge filter elements that are DE compatible now. As a pool service pro, DE filters are my top choice, but as a homeowner the cartridge filter is the best choice.

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Thank you for the article, it was useful. We have a large open pool sq. It has cartridge filter and the problem is too frequent clogging up, probably due to large pool catchment area. Thanks in advance. That was very helpfull! This article helped me choose the right filter. What is the Best Pool Filter?

Personally, I prefer sand filters. It seems to get things most clean. However, I wouldn't suggest a sand filter if there are lots of leaves and things that fall into your often. Home Appliances. Air Conditioners.