Sand Cartridge Or De Filters
Your filter is your last line of defense in trapping debris on a constant basis and keeping it out of your pool. Thats why it is so important to use the right type and keep it operating as cleanly as possible. Each filter type has its advantages and disadvantages. The clarity you desire, the environment and your willingness to maintain the filter and its equipment will determine which type is best for you.
What is a micron?
A micron is 1 millionth of a meter. In comparison, a human hair is about 70 microns across.
There are many factors that determine how effectively each filter can do its job, including filter area, water pressure and the size of the particles that it can trap. This ability is based on micron size. A filter that traps particles about 5 microns wide will collect more material than one that traps particles between 25-30 microns.
Below is a breakdown of the different types of pool filters and their benefits.
1. Clear Water:
What is a Sand Filter?
Sand filters use 20-grade silica sand capable of trapping particles as small as 20-30 microns.
Maintenance: Sand filters are considered to be the easiest to maintain. Sand filters are backwashed when the pressure reads 10 psi over the normal operating level. With proper water chemistry, you can expect your filter media to last 5-10 years.
2. Clearer Water:
What is a Cartridge Filter?
Cartridge filters can trap particles as small as 10-20 microns.
3. Clearest Water:
What is a Diatomaceous Earth Filter?
Are De Filters Better
D.E. filters are more expensive than sand filters, and they are more work to maintain. The D.E. powder also needs to be continually added to the system to keep the filtration process going, whereas sand can go years without being replaced. On the flip side, they produce clearer water and trap much smaller particles than sand filters.
Is It Ok To Run Pool Pump Without Filter Cartridge
You can run your pool pump without a filter cartridge. You can do this to maintain the circulation when the cartridge is dried up. However, you will have to ensure that you have removed the internal parts and the tank is properly reassembled. Also, you can remove the cartridge while cleaning the filter.
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Which Pool Types Work Best With Sand Filters
All inground pools can function using a sand filter, including fiberglass, concrete, vinyl liner, and other prefab pools like container pools. Above ground pool owners also commonly use sand filter systems.
In the end, the pool type won’t affect what kind of filtration system that you can have or how effective it can be as long as the filter size is matched to the size of the pool. Be sure to factor in the number of hours that you plan to run your filter every day to calculate an accurate turnover rate.
Pro tip: Check the filter’s “Turnover Capacity in Gallons” on the spec sheet before you buy.
How To Clean It
Wondering how you clean a sand filter? Follow this fifteen-step process and youll have a clean sand pool filter before you know it.
For a video tutorial, we recommend the Step-By-Step Guide on How To Clean A Pool Sand Filter by Ecological Time below-
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Backwashing Your Sand Filter
To cleanse the sand, the sand filter will need to be backwashed . Backwashing your sand filter reverses the flow of water through the sand, starting from the laterals at the bottom and working its way up to top, collecting debris and particles as it goes. Once it works its way to the top of the filter, it is then sent to waste . Backwashing can be completed within minutes and isn’t a labor or time-intensive process. After the backwashing cycle is complete and the system has been rinsed, the clean sand can restart the process of filtering the pool water once again.
Pentair 160301 Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Pool Filter
Designed with the maximum filter surface area to clean your water more quickly and efficiently than other filters, the Pentair Clean & Clear Plus has an effective filter area of 420 square feet. Internal and manual air relief make maintaining good water pressure easy. It filters 150 GPM inside a sturdy, injection-molded tank.
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How To Clean A Sand Pool Filter: A Step
February 9, 2022 By Nick White
If you have a sand pool filter for your swimming pool, youre probably grateful for how well it keeps your pool clean. After all, no one likes swimming and feeling the grit and grime of dirt and debris floating around. Part of having a properly working sand pool filter is maintenance. If youve just installed a filter recently and think its time for your first cleaning but have questions, dont worry.
In this article, were going over the step-by-step instructions you need when youre wondering how to clean a sand pool filter.
First, well help you understand how the sand pool filter works so you can better grasp the importance of cleaning. Then, well review all of the important tools youll need to gather before cleaning can begin. Then, well share just how you can clean it and deep clean it when the pool calls for it. Well wrap up with a few helpful tips to keep it in tip-top shape.
Limit The Filter Rate And Adjust The Filter Area
Filter rates on pools are regulated in many locations. The National Sanitation Foundation sets maximum filter rates to ensure effective filtration because the faster the water passes through the medium, the less effectively it is cleaned.
Filter rate ceilings are imposed most often for commercial facilities. If this is the case where you live, you may have to compensate by selecting a model with a larger filter area. By doing so, you can achieve the same flow rate without exceeding the maximum filter rate.
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Hayward W3de3620 Progrid De Pool Filter= Top Choice
Due to its high efficiency and impressive capacity, I have placed this model at the top of my recommended list. The high-impact grid material allows for both top-down and up-flow filtering.
The fact that it is made of a rust-proof copolymer that has been strengthened with glass is another remarkable quality. It’s a model specifically designed to handle massive pools.
How Does A Sand Filter Work
Sand filters function by moving the water from the top of the tank through the sand to the bottom of the tank via high pressure. As the water trickles down, the sharp edges of the sand grains catch particles like dirt, debris, and body waste materials. Smaller and smaller particles are removed from the water as it cycles through until the sand becomes too dense and needs to be cleaned AKA backwashed.
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Pentair 160301 Clean & Clear Plus Fiberglass Cartridge Pool Filter
This Pentair Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Pool Filter is one of the best pool filters for inground pools. It has an injection molded tank thats corrosion-resistant with black bulkhead unions, and its NSF listed as well.
Concerning its functionality, it has a tension control clamp, a balanced hydraulic flow, high flow manual air relief valve, and a continuous high flow internal air relief. Designed for use in pools and spas, this filter has a filtration area of 420 square feet as well as a 150 GPM flow rate.
Sand Filter Replacement: How Long Do Sand Filters Last
Your sand filter can last anywhere from 15 years to 25 years or more if cared for and maintained well. Most of the time, you may need to replace parts like valves and gaskets, but you probably won’t need to replace the whole system for many years. When it is time to replace your sand filter with a new unit, make sure you get the appropriate size and set up the new filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Equally important, be sure to match the new sand filter to your pool pump’s flow rate.
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Xtremepowerus 24 Above Inground Swimming Pool Sand Filter System
I was able to determine that this sand filter has optimal water flow, allowing it to effectively purify water, thanks to its well-designed architecture. There is a 7-in-1 port for sewage, water, closed circuit, recirculation, winterization, backwashing, and filtering.
The filter is built around a single-piece tank that is both durable and easy to maintain. I’ve also found that linking up to a pool is simple.
What Size Cartridge Filter Do I Need
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Dohenys Sand Filter Tank With Valve 24 Inch
Dohenys Sand Filter Tank with Valve is an affordable, high performance sand filter that will work for many years to keep your pool water clean and clear. Designed for maximum efficiency and power, the filter has an internal diffuser that evenly distributes water over the sand bed every time. With a six-position dial valve and a convenient drain plug, Dohenys Sand Filter Tank is very easy to use and maintain. Also available, Dohenys Sand Filter Tank with Valve, 16 inch and Dohenys Sand Filter Tank with Valve, 19 inch.
The Size Of Your Pool
How many gallons of water does your pool hold? This is the first question to ask when looking to get a new pool filter.
A general rule of thumb is that you need one square inch of filter area for every 1,000 gallons of water in your pool. So, if your pool has 20,000 gallons of water, youll need a 20-inch tank. Take a peek at the manufacturers guidelines for your pool in case youre unsure.
Pro Tip: If youre looking to improve your filter pump efficiency, it might be a good idea to get the next size up from what your manufacturer recommends.
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Sizes Of Residential Pool Filters
Filters are commonly sized by the square footage of surface area. It makes sense: The more square feet of filter media you have, the better the filter performance will be. But it gets tricky when you try to compare the three different types of pool filters to each other.
Thats because they all trap dirt and debris in different ways theyre like apples and oranges!
Dont let this confuse you, though. Within each filter type, there are typically four or five sizes.
Of these sizes, the smallest are suitable for aboveground pools, the mid-range ones can be used for small pools around 15,000 gallons, and the big filters work best for pools above 25,000 gallons.
To add to the confusion are the manufacturers listed turnover rates for their pool filters. These are usually listed on product information pages, and they show the maximum flow rates for the filters.
This snippet below, from our Hayward Star-Clear filter page, seems to suggest that a 25-square-foot filter can take care of a 12,000-gallon pool, and I can tell you that is not the case. Not even close.
Sand Filters
For sand filters on in-ground pools, I like to use a 30-inch tank diameter, which has a 4.9 sq. ft. filter surface area and holds 600 pounds of sand. For small pools , I might advise the next size down if the budget is tight. But never go smaller than this for an in-ground pool.
Cartridge Filters
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How To Size Pool Filter: Pump Flow Rate And Turnover Capability
To increase filter efficiency in cleaning your pool water and avoid excessive cleaning, it is advisable to choose the right size pool filter. Getting the right size pool filter will also make sure you dont over work both pump and filter and so they will last longer.
To select the right size filter for your pool, consider two main features and that is your pumps flow rate and the filtersturnover capability. For example, if you have a pump that pumps water at the rate of 70 Gallons Per Minute flow rate and your pool is 40,000 gallons, you will need a swimming pool filter with flow rate higher than 70 GPM and Turnover rate higher than 40,000 gallons, sizing a pool filter is that simple.
It is better to oversize your pool filter than to select a smaller filter for your pool because large filters will go longer between backwashes and cleanings, giving more swim times than cleaning, and also will make pump and filter last longer than when you choose smaller filter for your pool.
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Sand Filter Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Sand can last 5-7 years without needing to be replaced, but it will most likely last 3.
- Replacement sand is relatively cheap.
- Sand filters are easy to maintain.
- Sand filters are commonly used and easily serviced.
Cons:
- The pressure from a sand filter can be dangerous. For safety reasons, always follow your pool’s filter instruction manual.
- The water clarity is poorer as sand filters can’t remove particles as small as cartridge and D.E. filters can.
- The laterals in the sand filter can break, causing sand to make its way into the pool.
We hope that this has helped you decide if a sand filter is a good option for your swimming pool. Before you go, we want to leave you with a few words of wisdom that apply to every pool owner: Don’t fall behind on your pool maintenance chores. The better you maintain your pool and sand filter, the better they will look and function in the long-run.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle said it best:”We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Questions or comments? Leave them for us below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Keep Your Pool Sparkling Clean And Clear All Season Long With One Of These Top Pool Filters
By Tony Carrick | Updated May 26, 2022 11:59 AM
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A pool filter is absolutely vital to the function of any swimming pool. Its responsible for removing contaminants from the pool water, ensuring that the pool not only stays crystal clear but also free of bacteria and other contaminants that present health hazards.
Pool filters use a variety of means for filtering water, including sand, paper cartridges, and diatomaceous earth. They come in various sizes to meet the needs of above-ground and inground pools, both large and small. With so many shapes, sizes, and brands to choose from, selecting the right model for ones pool can quickly become an overwhelming process.
This guide dives into the world of pool filters to identify what factors are crucial to consider when shopping for the best pool filter, while evaluating some of the top models on the market.
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Pentair Tagelus Sand Filter 20 Inch Tank
If you are looking for unmatched performance and superior water quality, look no further than the Tagelus Sand Filter from Pentair. In fact, the Tagelus can remove particles from water that are up to five times smaller than other sand filters. This is because of smart design features that maintain an even and level sand bed to deliver the best water filtration possible and extend the length of time between required backwashing. The filter tank is constructed in one piece from a heavy duty fiberglass reinforced medium that will last for years without corrosion. Also available, Pentair Tagelus Sand Filter, 22 inch Tank, and Pentair Tagelus Sand Filter, 25 inch Tank.
