A sand filter will only filter down to 20 microns while a cartridge filter will filter down to 10 microns, half the amount. This means that a cartridge filter system will be able to rid your pool of more particles (dirt and debris) leaving it cleaner and more sparkling. Having a cloudy pool will be a thing of the past.
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.
Sand filters are less expensive initially than their cartridge counterparts, are easy to maintain, and only require filter media changes every 5-7 years (depending on usage). All sand filters have an installed pressure gauge.
If you're on a budget, and you want to spend minimal time on maintenance, a sand filter is the best choice for you. It's also optimal for large pools because it won't clog as easily as other filters. Your pool pump sucks water in from the skimmers, then pushes it through a large filtration tank full of sand.
Sand filters use chlorine because the sand is added for filtration, but chlorine sanitizes the swimming pool water. Sand, cartridges, and DE can't replace chlorine because they have different purposes. However, you can use swimming pool robots, salt systems, and other tools to improve your pool water.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How Much Does a Sand Filter Cost? A new sand filter can cost anywhere from about $300 to more than $1,000 on average. Inground pool sand filter prices range between about $450 to over $1,200, depending on the size. Above ground pool sand filters are often cheaper at starting costs in the $300 to $500 range.
You might think bigger is better in terms of pump size, but a pump that is too big can cause serious problems. In the example above, the pool's average depth is 8 feet. Now use the formulas below to determine the volume of water in your pool.
DE Filters remove the smallest particles of any filter, from 3-5 microns. Maintenance: Must be backwashed as with a sand filter when the pressure is 10 psi over the normal level. New DE powder must be added to the filter as well.
Of the three main types of pool filters, a cartridge filter uses the least amount of water.
If you see it blowing out into the pool, something is broken. The most common problem is a cracked lateral, which is one of the perforated pipes at the bottom of the filter that catches water that has circulated through the sand.
A sand filter will only filter down to 20 microns while a cartridge filter will filter down to 10 microns, half the amount. This means that a cartridge filter system will be able to rid your pool of more particles (dirt and debris) leaving it cleaner and more sparkling.
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.
Mineral water and alkaline water may be some of the healthiest types of water because they provide your body with essential nutrients, but simply drinking safe, uncontaminated water should be your number one priority.
And more than half of the chemicals found in municipal water are not regulated. Using the right water filter can help further reduce pollutants like lead from old water pipes, pesticide runoff in rural areas and byproducts of chemicals like chlorine that are used to treat drinking water.
We recommend only using regular pool sand in your filter.
The other types of sand will not work, and they will be hard to clean out once they're full of water.
Answer: Get as much of the debris and algae as you can out manualy (net, vacuum). You can also vacuum the sand, but make sure you vacuum to waste so it does not damage your pump/filter again.
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.