What Size Sand Filter Do I Need For My Pool

I Dont Know Which Filter I Have

How can you determine how much sand you need if you cant identify the make and model of your filter? Frankly, its a little difficult. However, it isnt impossible. If possible, the very first thing you want to look for is an identifying part number.

Typically, you can find a part number on any part of the filter. Still, in many cases, you may need to open the filter and examine the internal parts. If in the end you still cant identify your filter, we can try and help. Send us a few pictures of your sand filter to and one of our technicians can take a look for you.

So What Capacity Of Sand Filter Do You Need For Your Pool

For a 27 pool, a larger filter will work effectively. Since you cant have too much filter for your pool volume, it is better to go for the larger ones, if you cant do the calculations above. For instance, the 1.5 horsepower pool pump is big. However, if you use 2 hp, it will still work quite well.

What about the size of the filter?

Another guide that works well is to use a filter of 1.5 sq ft for every 10,000 gallons of water. For inground pools, a 24 tank of sand filter is the standard. a 30tank of sand filter for a larger pool size of 30,000 gallons or more.

Calculate The Maximum Flow Rate

Next, you need to figure out the maximum flow rate for your swimming pool. The maximum flow rate is determined by the size of the pipes. 3-inch pipes can handle 150 gallons per minute 2-inch pipes can take 73 gallons per minute, and 1.5-inch pipes can handle 45 gallons per minute.

Read Also: Lowering Cyanuric Acid Pool

Determine The Volume Of Your Pool

Many filters are sold based on the overall volume of the swimming pool. Measuring the volume of your pool can be much more challenging than finding the area, so its a good idea to look for any paperwork you have that might give you this information. If you cant find the volume but do know the brand name and model of your pool, you can usually look up its volume online. However, to calculate it yourself, you can use this formula: V = L x W x Average Depth x 7.5 for a rectangular pool. For a round pool, change 7.5 to 5.9.

***PICK SMALL-SIZED CARTRIDGE FILTRATION: Filtering dirt particles from even the smallest pools is essential for sparkling clean pool water. Read about cartri… Small Pool Filter.

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

DE Filters

Also Check: Does The Fire Department Fill Swimming Pools

Pump Size To Filter Size

With a big pool filter, theres no worry about the pump being too large for the filter. Also, dont worry if your pump seems undersized for a larger pool filter this is rarely the case. When the pump is too large, however, it can mean all sorts of trouble. Dirt can be pushed through the filter, internals can become crushed or cracked, and high pressure makes for a slow, inefficient and potentially hazardous situation.

Calculate The Water In Your Pool

Now you need to calculate how many gallons of water your swimming pool holds. If your swimming pool is rectangular, you can use this formula: Determining the Average Depth, . Rectangle Pool Gallons (1 length, 1 width, 1 volume = 7.5 gallons multiply surface area by depth by 7.9. The product of this equation equals the volume. If your pool is not perfectly rectangular, look for a pool volume calculator online. This will help you to determine the volume of swimming pools of other shapes.

Read Also: How To Store Pool Towels Outside

Challenges In The Application Process

In the process of water treatment, one should be aware of certain factors that might cause serious problems if not treated properly. Aforementioned processes such as filter ripening and backwashing influence not only the water quality but also the time needed for the full treatment. Backwashing reduces also the volume of the effluent. If a certain amount of water has to be delivered to e.g. a community, this water loss needs to be considered. In addition, backwashing waste needs to be treated or properly discarded. From the chemical perspective, varying raw water qualities and changes in the temperature effect, already at the entrance to the plant, the efficiency of the treatment process.

Considerable uncertainty is involved regarding models used to construct sand filters. This is due to mathematical assumptions that have to be made such as all grains being spherical. The spherical shape affects the interpretation of the size since the diameter is different for spherical and non-spherical grains. The packing of the grains within the bed is also dependent on the shape of the grains. This then affects the porosity and hydraulic flow.

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.

You May Like: Vdara Pools

Choose The Largest Filter

For the least maintenance, choose the largest filter that your pool and pump can accommodate. A larger filter will clean the pool water better, clog less often, and require less work on your part.

Need Help Choosing a Pool Pump and Filter?

If you need help selecting the best pool pump and filter system for your swimming pool, call Emerald Pools and Spas. Our professionals will help you select all the equipment you need for your swimming pool. In addition, we also offer repair services, pool remodeling, custom pool construction, equipment installation, and everything you need to operate your pool. Contact Emerald Pools and Spas today to find the best pump and filter system for you and more of our services!

Think About How Much Money You Want To Spend Up Front Versus Over Time

While its very true that smaller filters and those that come with their pumps already included may be much cheaper to set up, you might find yourself having to buy a replacement filter pretty shortly because the one you chose to begin with isnt strong enough to get the job done. Its also important to consider potential future repairs, and if youre buying a cartridge filter, think about how often you might have to change your filter media if you choose one thats too small for your pools needs.

Pool filters are the systems that are installed as part of your swimming pool to help clean up the water and keep it free from physical debris like dirt and leaves as well as from bacterial contaminants. While most people use pool water treatments such as chlorine in conjunction with a good quality filter, it is possible to operate your pool with a filter only, depending on how safe the water is where you live. The cartridge portion of your filter may be installed on the side of your swimming pool, but its more likely that it will sit next to the pool and be attached to the pump that keeps it functioning instead. Sometimes, these items are clamped to the pool itself, and other times, theyll need some sort of baselike a section of patio or another flat areato be set up on.

You May Like: How To Heat Up An Above Ground Pool

What Size Cartridge Filter Do I Need

how much electricity a pool pump usesSizing a pool cartridge filterToo long, didn’t read flow meterA note on DE filtersPool Filter Flow RatesEndorsed Brands From Swimming Pool Stevewww.InTheSwim.com– Swimming Pool Stevewww.BasecreteUSA.com– Swimming Pool Stevewww.ClearComfort.com– Swimming Pool Stevewww.PoolSuppliesCanada.ca– Swimming Pool Steve

Is It Ok To Leave My Pool Pump Running 24

This is one of the oldest debates among swimming pool professionals such as myself. I am a big fan of running a swimming pool pump 24-hours a day during the swim season.

You then get continuous filtering and chemical distribution of the pool water. It also does not hurt a pool pump because they are designed to be run for long periods and they are very energy efficient when operating.

Detractors always point out that pool pumps dont need to be run 24-hours a day to keep pool water clear, the heat buildup in the motor takes away from a pool pumps useful life, and a pool owner will waste electricity and pay more for their energy bill.

Perhaps a better question is if its necessary to run your pump continuously? The answer to this is no. You just have to run your pump long enough to circulate all of the water in your swimming pool 2X a day.

For example if your pump is rated at 30 gallons per minute and you have a 10,000-gallon swimming pool, it takes 5 ½ hours to circulate all of the water in your pool once. So, you will need to run your pump for at least 11 hours a day.

You May Like: Fixing Concrete Around Pool

How Much Sand To Put In The Filter

Here is a table showing the amount of sand that should be poured in each sand filter size. Make sure to measure the diameter of your filter, so that you can easily calculate how many pounds of sand to add.

Sand filters generally start at around 16 inches in diameter. For a 16-inch sand filter, you should expect to add around 100 lbs of sand. For every inch in diameter larger than 16 inches, you add an extra 25 lbs of sand until you reach 20 inches. From 20 inches, you add 50 lbs for every 2 inches in diameter until you reach 24 inches. From 24 inches, you add 50 lbs for every 3 inches until you reach 27 inches. For every 3 inches above 27 inches, you will add 150-200 lbs. The largest sand filters are generally around 36 inches.

Here is a helpful chart:

This table will not translate to every pool pump model. Some may have slightly different volumes, and some will require more sand than others. So always check your models instructions first.

If doing all that math makes your head hurt, heres a calculator I put together to figure out how much sand you need to add based on your tank diameter.

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.

Don’t Miss: Aria Pool Cabana Review

Calculating Pool Pump Size

While outside of this simple yet extremely import we get asked a lot about what HP a pump should be. That being said, it’s important to know that pool pumps should really be rated by the gallons per minute of water flow instead of the motor’s HP.

What you’re looking for is a pump that will be able to pump all the water in your pool through the filter in no more than 8-10 hours. This typically looks likes 40 GPM for smaller pools and 80 GPM for larger pools. However, you can determine the more precise needs of your individual pool by following these steps:

Keep in mind that the desired time frame of turnover is between 8-10 hours, so you get a range by substituting the 8 hours used above, for 10 hours instead. This would allow a range of acceptable pumps instead of assuming only one options.

How Much Sand Does My Swimming Pool Filter Need

One of the many benefits of owning a sand filter is that you only have to change the sand every five years or so. Not to mention, replacing the sand in your pool filter is pretty straight-forward. However, before beginning this journey, dont forget to ask yourself the all-important question, How much sand does my swimming pool filter need? From our experience, this is one of the most overlooked steps in the process.

Recommended Reading: How To Hide Pool Equipment

What Is Pool Sand Filter

It is a type of pool filter that uses sand to trap algae, bacteria, dead bugs, and other contaminants. Sand is an excellent filtration media that is often used in different applications like septic systems, wastewater treatment, and treating drinking water.

To the naked eyes, sand for pool filter looks the same, but that is not the case. They are different types of sands, and you should ensure that you add the right one for your filter.

They include:

• Silica sand: It is mined and helps to trap particulates.
• Glass sand: It is made of recycled glass and can help to trap manganese and iron particles.
• Zeolite sand: It is made of volcanic rock minerals and helps to trap chloramines.

What Size Pump Do You Need

Due to fear, many pool owners buy larger pumps that are far more expensive. Doing so is a big mistake because it will increase your energy consumption compared to smaller pumps.

So, if your pool doesnt require a large pump to function properly, you are just wasting money. The best approach is to find the right size pump for your pool needs. Then buy the appropriate size to help you reduce your energy bill.

Moreover, larger pumps can overpower the filter if the filter system has a small capacity.

On the other hand, if the pump is smaller than what is required, it may not be able to pump and power the filter system. This can cause algae growth and a build-up of contaminants.

Also Check: Pool Skimmer Line Clogged

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 don’t 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 pump’s flow rate and the filter’s turnover 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.

Cancer Risk With De Filters

Though D.E. 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 you handle D.E. powder. Also, keep children and pets away from the area when youre working with D.E. powder, and from the area where its stored. Immediately clean up any spilled powder.

• Filters contaminants as small as 5 microns
• D.E. powder can be added through the pool skimmer
• No caustic chemicals are required for cleaning

Also Check: How To Raise The Free Chlorine In My Pool