When it comes to maintaining a clean and refreshing swimming pool, choosing the right filter is essential. In this post, we will compare three popular styles of filters: sand filters, diatomaceous earth (DE) filters, and cartridge filters. We will explore how each filter works and highlight the key advantages of cartridge filters, which offer both ease of use and superior filtration capabilities.
Sand Filters:
Sand filters are one of the most commonly used filtration systems for swimming pools. They operate by passing the pool water through a bed of sand, which traps and removes debris and impurities. While sand filters are relatively easy to use and require minimal maintenance, they are not known for their exceptional filtration capabilities. They are better suited for large particles above 20 microns and may struggle with finer particles, resulting in requiring more chemicals to keep your water clear.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filters:
Diatomaceous earth filters are highly effective at removing even the finest particles from pool water. These filters utilize a fine powder made from a porous sedimentary rock as the filtering medium. As water passes through the DE filter, it traps debris as small as 2-5 microns, resulting in crystal-clear pool water. However, DE filters demand much more maintenance compared to other options. They require regular cleaning, backwashing, and lots of fresh DE powder, making them a high-maintenance and sometimes messy choice.
Cartridge Filters:
Cartridge filters offer an excellent balance between filtration efficiency and ease of use. These filters use a pleated fabric cartridge as the filtering medium. The cartridge is designed to catch and remove debris down to 10 microns, significantly finer than what sand filters can achieve, resulting in crystal clear water faster. Furthermore, they are easy to clean and maintain. Simply removing the cartridge and rinsing it with a hose a couple times a season is usually sufficient to keep the filter functioning optimally.
The Bottom Line
Sand filters are easy to use but have limited filtration capabilities and require more chemicals. Diatomaceous earth filters offer exceptional filtration at the cost of high maintenance. Cartridge filters strike the perfect balance by providing efficient filtration, ease of use, and low maintenance needs. They require minimal maintenance, saving you time and effort.
The information shared above is based on my extensive experience of over 40 years in the pool business. Thank you for considering this information, and I wish you a happy and refreshing pool season!
Your Pool Guy
Rick