What Size Sand Filter Do I Need

Pool filters are as important to your pool equally your kidneys are to your own body. We know that sounds kind of gross, only it's true. Though chlorine and other sanitizers piece of work to kill bacteria and other contaminants, the filter is what actually removes them from the water. Without it, your puddle water would grow cloudy and fill up with debris. Not exactly fun for swimming.

So how do you cull the best one? Information technology's not nearly which one is the least expensive, though cost is certainly a factor. You want a filter that will trap contaminants, be easy to clean and maintain, and final more than just a few seasons. In order to brand the all-time selection for your pool, outset get a handle on your options.

Pool Filter Types

The first step to choosing the best filter is knowing what your options are. You have three types of filters to choose from: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth, or D.East. Price, replacement frequency, and filtration rates differ by blazon. And if you're wondering how to clean a pool filter, that will likewise depend on the blazon you select.

But earlier you tin can accurately compare pool filter types, how well they function, and how much piece of work they crave to maintain, you demand to know almost microns.

What the Heck is a Micron?

Pool filters mensurate the size of contaminants they're capable of removing in microns. It's brusk for micrometer, which is one millionth of a meter.

Having problem picturing but how small that is? A single strand of human pilus is well-nigh l microns, or most .05 millimeters in diameter. Some bacteria measures almost 2 microns, or almost .002 millimeters in diameter.

Whether they've been killed by chlorine or not, bacteria and other contaminants can only exist filtered out if the filter media—the material that actually does the filtering—is fine plenty to collect those teeny, tiny particles.

Sand Filters

If yous're on a budget, and you want to spend minimal fourth dimension on maintenance, a sand filter is the all-time choice for you. It's as well optimal for large pools because information technology won't clog as easily as other filters.

Your pool pump sucks water in from the skimmers, then pushes it through a large filtration tank total of sand. The standard media used inside the tank is #xx silica sand. Information technology grabs particles that measure twenty microns and larger.

Each grain of sand is, for lack of a amend give-and-take, prickly. If yous could wait at information technology under a microscope, you lot'd see it has lots of little rough edges all around information technology, which is how it grabs contaminants and debris that laissez passer through the filter.

As weeks and years laissez passer, and more h2o flows through the filter, those crude edges are slowly worn down by erosion, eventually becoming smooth surfaces that aren't able to capture anything.

At the aforementioned time, the particles trapped within the sand will build upwards over the life of the filter. This can actually help trap smaller particles, even as the sand itself begins to polish out. But somewhen, it will preclude proper water flow through the filter, reducing the filter'due south efficiency.

A force per unit area gauge on the side of the filter will alert yous to increasing internal pressure level—a sign it's time to backwash the filter. This easy cleaning method the filter reverses the water flow, flushing all the droppings to waste.

Because the silica captures particles of 20 microns or larger, you'll really need to stay on top of your pool water chemistry. If there's not enough sanitizer in your pool to kill those tiny, 2-micron bacteria, a sand filter isn't going to catch them either, and they'll exist floating around in your pool with you.

Pool Filter Sand

Coarse filter media for pool sand filters.

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Sand Alternatives

Although #xx silica is the standard media in sand filters, you can slightly increment filtration efficiency by adding D.Due east. powder after backwashing or replacing the sand.

You lot can also entirely replace the silica with 1 of two alternatives.

ZeoSand: This is fabricated from a mineral called zeolite. Y'all need merely half as much (by weight in pounds) as standard pool filter sand. It'due south crystal-like shape naturally traps smaller contaminants than silica. This improves water clarity and requires less frequent backwashing. ZeoSand lasts about v years, so its lifespan is like to silica.

Filter Drinking glass: This is finely crushed, recycled glass. Don't worry virtually cuts—information technology'south smooth to the touch on. Information technology has a negative electrical charge which attracts positively charged particles, such as iron and manganese. Y'all tin employ near 20% less filter glass than you would silica, while filtering droppings as small as 5 microns. It also lasts upward to three times longer than pool sand.

Sand Filter Pros:

• Lower cost
• Easier maintenance
• Sand lasts 5 to seven years before needing to be changed
• Filtration efficiency can be boosted with additives culling media

Sand Filter Cons:

• xx-micron filtration is the to the lowest degree effective of the three types
• Backwashing and rinsing wastes water
• Building pressure decreases filter efficiency

Cartridge Filters

Though they're typically a flake more expensive than sand filters, cartridge filters are just as easy to maintain, and are more constructive as long as you don't take a huge pool.

Inside a tank slightly smaller than their sand cousins is a plastic cylinder surrounded by pleated polyester filter media and capped on each end. H2o flows into the tank and through the pleats. Debris every bit small-scale as x microns is captured in the filter, and so clean water heads back to the pool.

Cartridges are energy efficient and cheap. As the filter collects contaminants, it'll need cleaning. Rather than backwashing, you'll simply remove the cartridge from the tank, and spray information technology with a hose to remove debris and dirt.

Occasionally, you'll desire to spray it down with filter cleaner, and on a regular basis, soak it in diluted muriatic acid or a chemical filter cleaning solution. While this is a bit more than physical piece of work for you than backwashing, it wastes less water.

Cartridge Filter Pros:

• Filters contaminants as small as 10 microns
• No backwashing; less water waste product
• Performs well at low speeds, such as with variable-speed pumps

Cartridge Filter Cons:

• More work than sand filters
• Lasts simply 2 to 3 years
• Deep cleaning required i to 2 times per year

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Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) Filters

The near expensive, maintenance-intensive option also happens to filter the smallest particles of all three types of filters: 5 microns.

D.E. filter tanks contain grids or "fingers" covered in the crumbly, white powder. The powder is made from the crushed fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Though D.E. and sand pool filters are dissimilar, the fossils in D.E. are too equanimous of silica. The powdery substance can be found in pest control, cosmetics, and even toothpastes, but D.East. made for pool filters is rut-treated to work every bit a filtration media. So don't go sprinkling that pest-control powder into your puddle filter when you lot run out of D.E., mm-kay? We're talking near different kinds of pests here.

Aftermath or Bump Cleaning

Like sand filters, a pressure gauge on the tank will let you know when it's time to clean your D.East. filter. Typically, D.Eastward. filters are backwashed simply like sand filters. Some brands feature a crash-land handle, which lets yous knock the used D.Eastward. off the grids or fingers to clean.

Whether you lot backwash or bump the filter, you'll need to add more than D.E. powder later on every cleaning. It can be difficult to determine exactly how much to add together, so it's peculiarly important to disassemble and clean the filter past manus at to the lowest degree once a twelvemonth.

How to Add New D.E. to the Filter

Subsequently you've cleaned your filter, rather than adding D.E. pulverisation directly to the grids, yous'll become much better coverage if you add it through the puddle'southward skimmer.

• Mix the D.East with enough water to make a slurry, which will expect like a thin, flossy solution.
• Brand sure the puddle pump is running.
• Slowly cascade the solution directly into the skimmer.

Equally the D.E. passes through the filter, information technology will evenly distribute over the grids. You'll demand to wait a while before swimming to give the mixture fourth dimension to fully integrate with the filter, so you may want to do this in the evening, and so run your pump overnight.

Illegal Backwashing

Some cities and towns capeesh backwashing as much every bit parents of small children practise. Yours may accept regulations specifying how to legally dispose of used D.Due east.

When it's rinsed from the grids, D.E. powder can build up over time, creating a physical-similar rest that can clog storm drains or suffocate fish eggs.

Normally, you lot'll exist immune to empty erstwhile D.Due east. into a disposable container and place information technology in the trash. Bank check with your local authorisation for specifics to ensure you lot don't end upwardly with a fine, and more importantly, don't harm the environment.

Cancer Take a chance with D.East. Filters

Though D.Eastward. is a known carcinogen, it has only proved cancer-causing in mice when inhaled long term.

Important: Safety first. Prevent accidental inhalation by wearing a chemical mask when yous handle D.Due east. powder. Also, proceed children and pets away from the area when you're working with D.Eastward. powder, and from the area where it's stored. Immediately clean up whatsoever spilled pulverisation.

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D.E. Filter Pros:

• Filters contaminants equally pocket-sized as five microns
• D.E. powder tin can exist added through the puddle skimmer
• No caustic chemicals are required for cleaning

D.Eastward. Filter Cons:

• Highest price filter
• Annual cleaning is a lot of work
• Grids demand replacement every 2 to iii years
• Hard to detect for above ground pools
• Backwashing may be restricted past locale
• D.Eastward. pulverisation can exist harmful if inhaled

Size Matters

A pool filter and a puddle pump get hand in hand. The filter tin't part without the pump to movement h2o through information technology. And neither will piece of work properly if the pump isn't the correct size for your pool.

Before you settle on a pool filter, brand sure y'all accept the right size pool pump.

Filter Size

Filters are rated by gallons per minute (GPM) per foursquare foot. The filter menses rate must be rated at least the same GPM equally your pump, or college. With puddle filters, it's best to err on the larger size so information technology can handle the ability of your pump. A helpful rule of thumb is to choose a filter with at least 1 square human foot per 10,000 gallons puddle capacity.

Bargain shoppers beware. It'south nice to save money when you tin. Only off brands tin come and go, leaving you searching for replacement products from defunct companies down the road. Buying a pool filter from a trusted manufacturer can save you lot headaches and dollars in the long run.

How to Troubleshoot a Pool Filter

Because it plays such an important role in keeping your pool make clean, it's imperative that you keep your pool filter in proficient condition. Filters run into a few mutual problems, and knowing how to recognize them will help y'all troubleshoot, and and then repair them.

Leaks

Exercise y'all hear or see water dripping around the filter? Have you noticed a pocket-size puddle forming below it? If and then, your puddle filter may have sprung a leak.

A leak in your filter won't cause a significant drop in your puddle's water, but it'southward withal of import to identify and repair the problem before information technology worsens.

First, try to place the source of the leak. Check the filter's tank for any holes. If you do find one, you may be able to patch information technology. But be prepared to replace the tank because a patch likely won't hold up for very long.

If you have dissever-tank filter, check the belly for leaks. Remove the band and inspect the O-ring for wear and tear or droppings. If it's worn out, y'all'll demand to supercede it. Remember to add pool gasket lubricant to aid in sealing, and to keep the ring hydrated, which will help information technology terminal longer.

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Bicycle Issues

If your filter oft seems to exist running only in short cycles, and you discover this happening even when the pool isn't in use, the filter could have a catamenia rate problem.

The likely trouble is that the flow rate is too high, which ways your puddle pump may be also strong for your filter. It could also hateful your filter isn't big enough for your pool.

If your filter is the right size, you may demand to backwash the filter for a longer menses of time. When backwashing, recall to proceed the process until the water in the sight drinking glass is articulate. This could accept several minutes.

The filter may also be running in shorter cycles because algae or other debris is clogging it. Clean the puddle filter thoroughly, and consider replacing information technology if it seems worn out.

Filter Material in the Pool

It'southward not uncommon to see some filter material in the puddle subsequently backwashing, regardless of what kind of filter you lot have. But if you get-go noticing it when you haven't just backwashed, you may have a problem.

The first thing to check is the bolts holding the filter in place. If they're loose, information technology could allow particles to escape into the pool. If they're non, wait for other causes.

If y'all accept a sand filter, the filter lateral or standpipe may be cleaved. If it is, you lot'll need to supplant it.

If you have a D.East. filter, there could exist tear in the cloth of the filigree, or fifty-fifty a cleft in the grid manifold. Over again, if this is the problem, you'll need to replace the manifold.

Water Pressure Problems

Checking the pressure level gauge should exist office of your regular puddle maintenance. Problems with water pressure can bear upon your pool filter's functioning.

If the pressure is as well depression, at that place could be a blockage in the system somewhere earlier the filter. If the pressure is too high, there could be a blockage at some bespeak afterwards the filter.

Thoroughly bank check the filter system to see if information technology'south clogged, and make clean it if necessary. If you don't find any clogs, and the filter is clean, check the render valve to make sure it's completely open up, and and so double check the lines to see if yous can observe a clog.

Best Sand Filters

If you're looking for depression-cost, low-maintenance filtration that won't clog up quickly, four models stand out above the rest.

Hayward S244T ProSeries Top-Mount Sand Filter (Inground)

Featuring a weatherproof, corrosion-proof tank, the Hayward S224T ProSeries is congenital to last. Information technology'southward available in three sizes and includes a multi-port valve.

You tin can get models with side mounts, if needed. Plus, yous just have to backwash information technology every few months, depending on how often you use your pool.

Pentair Triton II Side Mountain Sand Filter without Valve (Inground)

Created with ease of use in mind, the Pentair Triton Two is the picture of simplicity. The pressure judge is conveniently located and like shooting fish in a barrel to read. Its swing-abroad diffuser gives you quick access to the sand. And the combination sand/water drain makes winterizing a snap.

Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump (To a higher place Ground)

If y'all accept an Intex puddle, why not go a sand filter designed specifically for it? The Intex Krystal Clear has a 24-hr timer then you tin automate filter cycles. The six-function valve easily switches betwixt filter, backwash, rinse, recirculate, drain, and shut.

At the end of the season, it's easy to quickly break down and shop this filter through the winter. Plus, you'll only have to supercede the sand every v years or so.

All-time Cartridge Filters

Want a finer filter media than sand, without the expense or labor-intensive maintenance? 4 cartridge models exercise the chore.

Pentair 160301 Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Pool Filter (Inground)

Designed with the maximum filter area to clean your water more than quickly and efficiently than other filters, the Pentair Clean & Clear Plus has an constructive filter area of 420 square anxiety. Internal and transmission air relief make maintaining good water pressure level easy. It filters 150 GPM inside a sturdy, injection-molded tank.

Hayward C4001575XES EasyClear Filter (Above Ground)

From a trusted name in the pool industry comes the Micro StarClear. This little Hayward filter is just right for above ground pools nether 24,000 gallons. It offers piece of cake access to the cartridge for changes, and you can rotate the head and then the pressure estimate and manual air relief valve are correct where y'all need them.

Intex 28633EG Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump (Above Ground)

If you're an Intex owner looking for a cartridge filter, this is for you. Unlike other options, this filter uses dispensable cartridges. Maintenance is equally user-friendly as turning the handy flush valve and popping in a new cartridge.

At the end of the flavour, dismantle and store it with your pool. If your weather is mild, its double-walled construction means you can just go out information technology up with no worries.

Best D.E. Filters

For only a bit more coin and maintenance, you lot tin can enjoy the best filtration bachelor by choosing a D.E. filter.

Pentair 188592 Quad Cartridge Style D.East. Pool Filter (Inground)

Designed with easily removable cartridges, the Pentair Quad makes maintenance a picayune easier on you. It has four, large-capacity cartridges that provide loads of surface surface area so your pump uses less free energy to get the water merely as clean equally other D.Due east. filters.

The increased expanse also means it takes longer to clog, and then you can clean it less frequently. Information technology's all housed inside a durable, fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene tank.

Hayward EC40AC Perflex Extended-Cycle D.E. Puddle Filter (In a higher place Footing)

If you lot're looking for serious cleaning and low maintenance, wait no farther than the Hayward Perflex Extended-Wheel. Featuring a absurd bump mechanism that allows the D.E. Flex-Tubes to clean themselves, this model means minimal cleaning time. It'south designed to minimize resistance, and so it can maximize efficiency at lower horsepower.

The Best Filter is the One That'due south Best For You

You can spend less money for less maintenance and less filtering. Or invest a footling more up front for better filtering for the price of more time and work. Information technology's actually up to y'all what'southward best for your schedule and your budget.

No matter what pool filter you lot cull, remember that keeping your water chemistry counterbalanced gets y'all more than halfway to a clean pool. Stay on top of cleaning and maintenance, and your filter can last you for many years to come.

Happy Swimming!

Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim Academy® and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. Since and so, his mission is to brand pool and hot tub intendance easy for everyone. And each twelvemonth, he continues to help more than people with h2o chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting.

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Source: https://www.swimuniversity.com/pool-filter/

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