What Size Sand Filter For Inground Pool

Efficient And Easy: Cartridge Filter

Cartridge filters are like the smart cars of pool filters: they tend to be on the smaller side, theyre easy on the environment, and they arent exactly made of horsepower. Theyre a great pick, as long as you dont have an extremely powerful pump or a giant pool.

Theyre also more efficient than the traditional sand filter with sand media. A cartridge filter can kick out bacteria as small as 10 microns.

Which Type Of Filters Requires The Least Amount Of Water To Clean

Sand Filters

The most traditional type of pool filter is the sand filter. Of the three types of filters, sand filters are the least effective. They filter particles that range from 20-40 microns. Sand filters use sand to filter dirt and organisms from your pool water.

What The Heck Is A Micron

Pool filters measure the size of contaminants theyre capable of removing in microns. Its short for micrometer, which is one millionth of a meter.

Having trouble picturing just how small that is? A single strand of human hair is about 50 microns, or about .05 millimeters in diameter. Some bacteria measures about 2 microns, or about .002 millimeters in diameter.

Whether theyve been killed by chlorine or not, bacteria and other contaminants can only be filtered out if the filter mediathe material that actually does the filteringis fine enough to collect those teeny, tiny particles.

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Inground Sand Pool Filters

A sand pool filter is a great option for keeping your inground pool water sparkling clean and free from harmful bacteria. They work by pushing water through sand within the filter chamber. Through this process, dirt and other contaminants become trapped in the sand, leaving clean water to return to your pool. Sand pool filters appeal to many pool owners because they generally require less maintenance than other types of filters.

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.

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How Do You Size An Above Ground Pool Filter

Step 1 Measure the Size of Your Pool

You then need to calculate the number of gallons of water in your pool. Do this by multiplying the total volume of your pool times 7.48, the amount of water in a cubic foot of space. For a 24-foot diameter pool with a center depth of 48 inches, the pool holds about 14,000 gallons.

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Tank Size And Construction

Size: This is another important factor. Youll usually see that a pool sand filter has an inch rating that tells you the diameter, which is an indication of the amount of sand it contains. This rating can be anywhere from 12 inches on very small models, through 16 to 24 inches in the middle range, to 30 inches and above for large versions.

Pool specialists caution against trying to save money by installing a model thats too small because the filtration will be reduced. The following are general guidelines:

• 12- to 20-inch tank: Under 10,000 gallons
• 21- to 24-inch tank: 10,000 to 20,000 gallons
• 24- to 30-inch tank: 20,000 to 30,000 gallons
• 30- to 36-inch tank: 30,000 to 50,000 gallons

Construction: This is either two-piece or moulded as a single unit. While the two-piece tanks arent necessarily a problem, there is a potential weakness in the construction, so many prefer paying a little extra for a one-piece model.

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What Is A Pool Sand Filter Cost Maintenance Benefits

Did you know that the ancient Greeks used sand filters to clean their bathhouse pools?That’s how old the sand filter technology is, but don’t let that be a drawback. Some of the greatest inventions thought up centuries ago continue to be used to this day. If you’re a new pool owner or if you’re looking to switch up your filtration system, you may have questions like:”What is a sand filter? How does a sand filter work? Is a sand filter better than a cartridge system? How much does a sand filter cost?”If you’ve got one or more of these questions on your mind, we’ve got your back.

At River Pools, we manufacture fiberglass swimming pools and run one of the world’s most trafficked swimming pool websites. Because our focus is on educating pool owners and pool shoppers, we try to cover the essential maintenance topics and pool products that they work with every day. In this article, we’ll explore sand filters in detail to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your pool before you invest in one. By the end, you should have a better idea about whether a sand filter is a good option, how much it might cost, how to maintain it, how it compares to other types of filters, and more.

Sand Filter Vs De Filter

A D.E. filter consists of a set of grids coated with a white powder made up of crushed seashells and fossilized diatoms . These filters can catch dirt and debris 5 microns and bigger.

Crushed seashells and fossils might sound like a weird way to clean your pool, but a D.E. filter looks like any other pool filter and functions similarly. The main difference is in how it works and how it is maintained.

The diatomaceous earth is layered over a mesh to form a fine screen. As the water passes through the system, the D.E. traps particles and debris and keeps it from going back into the pool. Like a sand filter, D.E. filters need to be backwashed to clear out stuck debris and particles before resuming regular filtration, and backwashing may need to be repeated several times. Manual cleaning of the grids is required about every 90 days.

Warning: D.E. powder can be hazardous to handle. Please use appropriate face and eyewear while servicing your filtration system.

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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.

Im Building A New Poolshould I Choose A Sand Filter Or Cartridge Filter

Once you have made the exciting decision to enhance your lifestyle with the addition of a pool, spa or swim spa, you need to decide what type of filtration is best for you.

The filter and pump are the central system of your pools circulation. The main purpose of the filter is to remove debris from your pool water so you can have a clean, sparkling pool to swim in all year round. Without it your pool water can end up full of debris and bacteria, cloudy and even make you unwell. The pool pump circulates the water and pushes it into the filter where small debris particles are removed through depth or surface filtration, before the clean water travels onto either the heater, or back to the pool.

When it comes to choosing a filter we recommend one of two types- a cartridge filter or sand filter. The good news is that it doesnt matter whether your dream is a fiberglass pool or a concrete pool, both sand and cartridge filters will do the trick. So how do you choose which one is best for you? The main considerations when selecting a filter are efficiency and performance, maintenance, cost and size.

Efficiency and Performance:

If you are looking for a highly efficient solution with the least amount of bacteria and debris left swimming around in your pool, the cartridge filter is your best solution.

Maintenance

One of the biggest reasons people are choosing cartridge filters over sand filters is the upkeep.

To see instructions on how to clean your filter please

Cost

Size

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Is It Ok To Run Pool Pump 24 Hours A Day

Although its generally recommended that all the pool water undergo filtration every 24 hours, the pump does not need to run all the time. If your pool is in constant use, you may need to run the pump for up to eight hours per day, frequently checking the water clarity and chemical balance.

Hayward Perflex Diatomaceous Earth Pool Filter

The Hayward Perflex Extended-Cycle Diatomaceous Earth Pool Filter produces crystal clear soda water for above-ground, above-ground and small in-ground pools at an economical price. Perflex is a reliable solution that sets the standard for pool filtration, combining exclusive Flex-Tube technology with diatomaceous earth, the most effective filtration media available. The result is superior water clarity, extended filter cleaning cycles and no backwashing.

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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.

Filter Sizing And Flow Rates

There are three common pool filter typessand, cartridge and Diatomaceous Earth . All three of these pool filter types will keep your pool and spa clean, but you should consider the needs of your specific application, your other equipment and plumbing size before making a selection.

When choosing a filter type and size, we recommend enlisting the help of a pool professional to ensure the proper products are selected for your pool. Our pool pros will take into consideration the weather conditions in your area, the types of debris that can land in your pool, and they will also evaluate your entire application how many gallons your pool has, your plumbing size and the needs of and types of other pool equipment you have.

Tip: An undersized pool filter will render it ineffective and lessen its life the larger the filter, the longer the time between cleanings.

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Choosing The Right Pool Filter

Before we go into choosing the right pool filter for you, we must first familiarize ourselves with the available choices. Much like choosing food, you know youre hungry but youll need to see a menu first before ordering.

And if you dont like to read, SKIP FORWARD to our pros and cons chart for a one-glance look at how to choose the right filter. Don’t skip forward though, we promise you that there’s going to be a ton of useful information.

How Big Of A Filter Do I Need For An Oval Pool

For oval pools, change the multiplier from 7.5 to 5.9. Filter manufacturers size all three systems in accordance with the National Sanitation Foundation Standard 50 Circulation System Components for Swimming Pool. High-rate sand Max flow rate 25 GPM per square foot of surface area, normally sized between 15 and 20 GPM per sq. ft.

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Caring For Your Pool Filters When Out Of Use

Another thing to consider is what happens to your filters when the pool isnt in use. If you use your small swimming pool seasonally, ensure your cartridge filters are being stored correctly when out of season. Also, check them before the next season begins, as they can sometimes lose their quality over time even when not in use.

Pump filter systems should still run during the off-season every so often to keep the chemicals in the water ticking over. Therefore, you need to monitor your filters during the off-season. As with your pool as a whole, investing in a cover and properly closing your pool will also help keep your filters working efficiently.

How To Choose The Right Size Of Filter For Your Pool

Choosing the right size pool filter for your pool is not always a simple task, but it is crucial to ensuring that your pool stays safe, clean, and open. The first step when picking the right sized pool filter is picking the right size pool pump.

Choose the Right Size Pump

Many people err on the side of caution and purchase a pump that is far bigger than what they need. This can be a costly mistake. Larger pumps are more expensive, and may increase your energy bill compared to an appropriately sized pump. Worse, a pump that is too large can overpower your filter system. A pump that is too small may lack the power needed to effectively pump and filter your pool. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria and algae.

Choose the Right Size of filter

Even if you have the right sized pump, if you choose a filter that is too small, the pump will generate too much pressure, causing the filtering material to break down and rendering the filter ineffective. The pressure build-up caused by small filters causes pressure to build up in your pump, and in some cases this has resulted in explosions, or serious damage to your pump.

The correct sized filter and pump should be able to fully cycle all of your pool water in about eight hours. This simple guide will show you how to find the right sized pump and filter for your pool.

Step 1: How Much Water Does Your Pool Hold?

Step 2: Turn Cubic Feet into Gallons

Step 3: Gallons Per Minute

Step 4: Feet of Head

Step 5: Choose Your Pump

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Why Work With A Pool Professional

This is quite a bit of information to digest and your best bet is to talk to a pool professional to ensure you are using the appropriate products for your investment. With the help of a pool professional, you can be well on your way to receiving the best water clarity and to using the most efficient products in terms of energy use and water conservation.

Remember: Installing a filter too small for the output of the pump could cause costly damage to your filter.

Hayward Ec65a Perflex De Pool Filter

Another one of the best pool filters for inground pools is the Hayward EC65A Perflex D.E. Pool Filter. Without the use of backwashing, it provides exceptionally clear water after just minimal use. It can even remove particles that are as small as two microns after its initial setup.

It incorporates the use of a Flex-Tube design to offer longer cycles between cleaning. In addition, it features a bump mechanism so that the D.E. flex tubes can instantly clean themselves in a uniformed process.

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Diatomaceous Earth Pool Filter

Diatomaceous earth filters are capable of filtering particles as small as 2 to 3 microns, providing the cleanest, clearest water of all three types of pool filters. However, DE filters are more expensive and require the most maintenance of the three pool filter options.

First and foremost, what is diatomaceous earth? It’s a white powdery substance made from the crushed fossils of aquatic organisms called diatoms, often referred to as “water polishers” because they leave pool water sparkling clean. DE pool filter tanks contain several grids coated with diatomaceous earth. The diatoms act just like a sponge water can pass through, but microscopic impurities like dirt, algae, and some forms of bacteria can’t.

Similar to sand filters, a pressure gauge on the tank lets you know when it’s time to backwash. Be aware, some locations may have regulations that specify how to legally dispose of used DE. Further cleaning of the grids may be necessary each year to help your pool filter operate more efficiently and last longer. In this case, you would remove the grids from the filter tank and hose off excess dirt before soaking them in a filter cleaning solution to remove body oils, suntan lotions, organic materials and minerals. After every cleaning, you’ll need to add more DE powder. Instead of adding the DE powder to the grids, you’ll get better results by adding it through your pool’s skimmer.