Choosing The Right Pool Filter

Pool filters are what keep our pools clean. It’s pretty obvious but the fact is, they are the most important part of your pool. Without a swimming pool filter, your pool would never stay clear. It would be green and cloudy the whole season. Pool filter systems take fine particles out of the water and constantly keep the water flowing to prevent your water from becoming stagnated.

So now we have convinced you how important they are (duh!) now it’s time to learn a little more about the different types of pool filters out there. It’s helpful to be informed about these, it will help you make the right decision when choosing your first or next pool filter.

Note: all of the following pool filter systems can be used for an in-ground or an above ground pool. They work the same for both.

Sand Pool Filters

Easy To Use and Low Maintenance
Sand filters are great for a number of reasons. We like to refer to them as the “lazy man’s” filter, not because they are lazy themselves but because they are perfect for a lazy pool owner. Sand filters are not high-maintenance and they are very simple to use. Sand filters work by pushing the pool water up through a bed of thick sand, which filters out fine particles and other debris. Once the water pushes through the sand it comes up clean on top where it can return back to your pool. The only maintenance these filters require is backwashing. Backwashing cleans out the sand by running water the opposite way and out your backwash port. Also, the sand that filters your water does need to be changed, but only every 3 to 5 years.

DE Pool Filters

High Maintenance and Powerful
DE filters use Diatomaceous Earth which is the finely ground fossils of prehistoric fresh water diatoms. In laments terms, it’s a fine white powder that filters water. Inside a DE filter there are mesh grids, which the powder sticks to. Water is passed through the powder and the mesh grids, then back into your swimming pool. After a short while because it filters so well, it gets dirty quick. When the pressure rises in the tank you will need to backwash it. When you backwash a DE filter, most if not all of the DE powder is lost. When you start your filter back up you will need to add more Diatomaceous Earth to the filter by adding the recommended amount through your skimmer. This filter requires more work but it does a heck of a job cleaning your pool.

Pool Cartridge Filters

The Best of Both Worlds
Cartridge filters offer the ease of a sand filter with the good cleaning power of a DE filter. Cartridge filters contain a giant paper-like round filter, much like you would find in a shop vac or home heater system. They are super easy to clean. Just pull the cartridge out of the filter and hose it down to rinse it off. Pretty simple! Depending on how much use you are getting out of it, you may need to replace the cartridge every couple of years if not more. Make sure you price out these cartridges before buying the filter in case they are out of your price range.

In conclusion we looked at three different types of filters on today’s swimming pool market. Now that you are familiar with each one, you can make your decision based on your needs and wants. We hope you choose wisely!