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. The cartridge filter can catch finer debris than a sand filter, being 10-20 microns versus 20-40 microns.
Cleans Particles Down to 20 Microns. A sand filter will clean your water down to 20 microns. While a cartridge filter can clean down to 8-15 microns, we think the benefits and ease of use of a sand filter still make it the better choice.
Sand filters are less expensive initially compared to cartridge filters and are easy to maintain. You can expect to change out the filter sand every 5-7 years on average. Sand filters can filter large quantities of water, making them ideal for backyard pools as well as large commercial pools.
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.
Changing the pool filter sand is a bit of a pain, especially in the back region, but a bag of pool filter sand costs around R90 at your local Builders Warehouse, and you should only need two bags for most pool filters.
The high amount of pressure pushes debris back in your pool and can crack or damage your pool filter. A good rule to remember is bigger, in this case, is better. Although larger filters come with a bigger price tag, they provide better filtering and easier maintenance for pool owners.
Sand filters need chlorine to sanitize the water. The sand is used to remove debris from the swimming pool, while chlorine is added to get rid of bacteria. Chlorine is a sanitizer; Sand is a filter. Your pool needs both of them to function properly.
Beyond the flow rate of the filtration system, there isn't a lot of difference between pool filter sand used in above-ground sand filters and the sand used with in-ground sand filters.
Converting from a cartridge filter to a sand filter will take some time and effort, and expertise to carry it out seamlessly. It really is simply a matter of removing the cartridge filter and plumbing in the new sand filter. You may need to move the pool pipes (lines) around to suit though.
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 (under 20,000 gallons), I might advise the next size down (24″ tank) if the budget is tight.
Unlike other filtration systems, cartridge filters don't require backwashing, which means homeowners don't waste the water and extra energy involved in backwashing. The small size of cartridge filters allows them to be run on smaller pumps because they can run with a lower flow rate pump, which saves energy.
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.
Generally most people replace their filter cartridges about every 3-5 years, but don't use the amount of time that has passed as the only determining factor, monitor the performance of your filter. Your time frame may be longer or shorter depending on the demand placed on the cartridge.
A sand filter holds 250 lbs or more of special filter sand. The pool water filters through the sand, which catches debris and small particulates, and sends clean water back into the pool.
When do I need to replace my sand? On average, sand should be replaced every 3-5 years. This may be longer if the pool stays clear, or shorter, if the filter runs all the time. The jagged edges of the sand wear down and become smooth as the sand ages.
Sand filtration is used for the removal of suspended matter, as well as floating and sinkable particles. The wastewater flows vertically through a fine bed of sand and/or gravel. Particles are removed by way of absorption or physical encapsulation. If there is excessive pressure loss on the filter, it must be rinsed.
How Often Should You Backwash a Pool Sand Filter? As a general rule of thumb, you should backwash and rinse your filter about once a fortnight. The optimal time is right after you vacuum the pool. However, if your pool has had a lot more use than normal, it may be necessary to backwash once a week.
Pool filters, whether they are sand filers, DE Filters or cartridge filters have a minimum and maximum flow rate. If your pump is too large and the water flow to the filter is above the filter's rated flow rate, the filter will not filter properly.
The pH of the water in a public swimming pool must be maintained at no less than 6.8 and no greater than 7.6. 4.5.
The pressure level will only go up if the water is having too much trouble going through the filter media. The two situations where water will have trouble going through the media is if the pump is too strong, it's pushing more water than what the filter is allowing, so we'll see a pressure build up.
Too much sand and your filter will likely not run correctly or may break when reassembling. Too little sand and you will have cloudy water no matter how much your filter runs.