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FILTER TYPES
 Swimming pools can be wonderfully colored and
beautifully decorated with various mosaics, rock
formations, and water features. However, without
proper filtration your beautiful swimming pool would
be nothing but a disease-ridden swamp that can host
various types of insects and bacteria.
In regards to
determining what is best for the water in your
swimming pool the difference in filters is based on
the size of micron that is captured by it. The human
hair has a diameter of approximately 70 microns. The
smallest particle visible to the human eye measures
at 40 microns. Smaller in size is the red blood
cell, measuring at 8 microns. Even smaller still is
a bacterium, measuring as small as 1 micron. The
smaller the micron captured by the filter, the
better the filtration of the pool water.
There are three types of
filters: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth (D.E.).
Sand filtration
is the oldest type of water filtration dating back
to the very first pools. Sand filters were used to
filter the water inside the roman bathhouses. Sand
filters push water through various grades of sand,
capturing dirt and bacteria. Sand is considered a
permanent media, lasting between 5 and 15 years
before replacement. Sand filters can filter
particles between 50 to 25 microns.
Cartridge
filtration is the newest form of filtration.
Cartridge filters push water through pleated
polyester or treated paper, where particles are
captured. Cartridge filters usually require about
half the filter room as comparable sand or
diatomaceous earth filters. Cartridge filters are
found on smaller pools and are utilized extensively
for spa filtration. The normal life of a cartridge
element is about six months. Cartridge filters can
filter particles between 25 to 15 microns.
Diatomaceous Earth
(D.E.) consists of tiny fossilized skeletons of
small sea plankton. D.E. is held against a cloth
like material (known as a grid) by the pressure of
the water, causing the grid to be coated. As the
water passes through the D.E., the suspended
particles are trapped in the channels of the
skeletal material. D.E. cartridges can last between
1 and 3 years. Regular filter cleanings can extend
the life of the filter grids. D.E. filters can
filter particles between 6 to 3 microns.
Although the sand
filters can go longer periods before the
sand must be recycled or replaced, the ability to
let smaller bacterium go through the spaces in the
sand makes it difficult to keep the water clear at
times and can allow more stubborn algae to stay in
the water longer.
The biggest problem with
cartridge filters is the inability to
get the cartridges completely clean. If the
cartridges are to be cleaned properly, they need to
be scrubbed and left to sit for a day. Most pool
service companies cannot do this without charging
more money. They will typically spray the cartridges
with water or some sort of detergent and place them
back into the filter right away. This process will
not get the cartridges as clean as needed and more
cleanings will be required.
The main complaint with
D.E. filters is the mess that is
sometimes associated with cleaning the grids.
However, based on our training and experience, we
would recommend the use of D.E. filters for
swimming pools because they provide the best
filtration of your pool water and are worth the
inconvenience that comes with cleaning them.
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