Water Filters Compare

Above Ground Pool Filters - Choose
Between Cartridge, Sand and DE Filters

Swimming pool filters are absolutely
essential for keeping pool water clear
and clean. By removing debris and
contaminants from the water, filters
help to make your pool a pleasant and
healthy environment for swimming. If
you own an above ground swimming pool,
there are three main types of above
ground pool filters that can be used to
maintain the cleanliness of your pool's
water -- sand filters, cartridge filters
and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters.
Each type of filter works in its own way
and has its own advantages. In order to
decide which type of pool filter will be
the best for your above ground swimming
pool, it's important to understand the
design as well as the pros and cons of
each category.

All pool filters for above ground
swimming pools serve the same purpose
but in a slightly different way.
Ultimately, however, the main function
of swimming pool filters is to remove
dirt, debris and microorganisms from the
pool water. This is achieved with the
help of a swimming pool pump, which
forces the water from the pool to the
filter where the contaminants are
trapped. While this describes the basic
function of all above ground pool
filters, sand pool filters, cartridge
pool filters and DE pool filters differ
in the type of media used to remove
contaminants from the water.

Sand pool filters, for instance, use a
sand-filled pressure vessel to remove
contaminants. Typically, these vessels
will contain a series of chambers, each
one with a bed of special sand referred
to as pool grade #20 silica sand. The
particles of this special type of sand
have sharp edges which separate
contaminant particles, thereby promoting
filtration. As water passes through the
top layer of sand, dirt and other debris
are trapped by the sand while the clean
water is allowed to continue on and exit
through the bottom layer.

As time goes on, the sand will become
clogged by the trapped dirt and debris,
causing the vessel's pressure to rise as
it becomes more and more difficult for
water to pass through. When this
occurs, sand pool filters should be
backwashed, which simply involves
reversing the water flow so the dirt can
be knocked out of the filter and sent to
the waste line. Generally, backwashing
will need to be performed every few
weeks in order to keep your sand filter
working efficiently and effectively.

In contrast to sand pool filters,
cartridge filters use cartridge elements
to remove contaminants from water, just
as their name suggests. These cartridge
elements are often constructed from
reinforced polyester and are reusable.
As the pool pump propels water through a
cartridge filter, the surface of the
cartridge element screens out dirt and
other unwanted particles. Like sand
filters, cartridge pool filters will
eventually come clogged. However, they
are easily removable and can be cleaned
simply by pressure washing with a garden
hose.

DE filters constitute the third category
of above ground pool filters and use
diatomaceous earth to keep water
brilliantly clean. Diatomaceous earth
is a naturally occurring, mined
substance comprised of the fossilized
exoskeletons of diatoms. A porous
powder, DE is used to coat grids found
inside the filter housing, creating a
sieve effect. As water flows through
the powder-coated grids, dirt, dust,
algae and microorganisms are trapped by
the DE and prevented from moving on
through the filtration system with the
water. Similar to sand filters, DE pool
filters need to be cleaned every so
often either by backwashing or by
draining the clogged DE to the pool's
waste line and then recharging the
filter with fresh DE.

Depending upon the type of media used,
and therefore the type of filter used,
you will experience different pros and
cons. To begin with, the different
types of swimming pool filters do not
filter out debris and contaminants with
the same effectiveness. For example,
sand pool filters will trap and remove
debris as small as 20 to 40 microns in
size. However, cartridge filters will
trap debris as small as 10 to 15 microns
while DE pool filters will filter out
debris particles as small as 2 to 5
microns. Obviously this means that DE
pool filters are the most effective at
removing contaminants from above ground
swimming pools.

Of course, the various types of pool
filters for above ground swimming pools
also differ with respect to the ease of
maintenance. As cartridge filters have
a greater surface area than sand and DE
pool filters, they become clogged less
often. Also, many pool owners enjoy the
fact that cartridge filters can be
cleaned in a matter of seconds simply by
washing them down with a hose. Another
great advantage of cartridge swimming
pool filters is that they operate at a
lower pressure than sand and DE filters,
which means that they exert less back
pressure on the pump.

While there are many differences between
the various available above ground pool
filters, all three types of filters will
help you to keep your swimming pool
sparkling clean and clear. By
familiarizing yourself with the
advantages and disadvantages of each
filter category, however, you can choose
the type of filter that will best suit
your swimming pool as well as your
particular pool maintenance routine.

Article provides guidance on selecting right above ground
pool filter for your swimming pool. Find out difference
between cartridge, sand and DE pool filters.

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