There are three choices when it comes to swimming pools filters. Choose the best filter for your situation by learning how each of the filters works and the advantages and disadvantages.

The quality and appearance of the water at your pool depends on a properly working filter system as well as regular filter inspections and maintenance. If your pool appears cloudy it might be time to service the filter or install a new one. We carry a complete line of all major brand name parts for upgrades. Let us consult with you and provide all the information you need before installing a new filter system.

There are three basic choices when it comes to swimming pool filters: sand, cartridge and diatomaceous earth. Each type of filter has its benefits and drawbacks, and each is effective. To choose the best swimming pool filter for your home, it helps to understand how each works and their advantages and disadvantages.

Sand filters are very common, easy to understand and use and inexpensive. They are considered the least effective type of filter and will not filter your pool water to the lowest possible micron, but are still incredibly popular. The swimming pool filter is filled with sand. Pool water is pulled into the filter and pressed through the sand. The sand filters out particles from the water.

After the water has passed through the sand filter, it flows back into the pool. Swimming pool filters containing sand can be cleaned by backwashing the sand, or, if the sand becomes exceptionally dirty, by replacing the sand in the filter, which is relatively inexpensive. The main drawback of the sand filter is that it allows some particles through the sand, back into the water. Sand filters also use more water over time due to repeated backwashing being necessary.

Cartridge Filters

Cartridge filters are another type of filter. These swimming pool filters clean as the pool water filters through the filtering material. The filtering material captures particles and releases the cleaned water back into the pool. Cartridge filters are a very popular choice for many pool owners. Cartridge filters also are the preferred filter for a saltwater pool as they do not require backwashing therefore no saltwater is backwashed into your backyard landscaping. Cartridge filters also filter the water to a much smaller micron than sand filters resulting in much clearer pool water.

If you choose a cartridge filter, it will require some maintenance. When the filter becomes full of debris, it becomes much less effective. You should plan to remove the filter and gently spray it clean with a water hose at least twice over the course of each swimming pool season. Aquaman Pools recommends that the filters be cleaned regularly for optimum performance and can gladly perform this service for you.

DE Filters

Diatomaceous earth, or DE, swimming pool filters are the final type of pool filter. Diatomaceous earth is the exoskeletons of diatoms that have become fossilized. This material is mined from the earth. DE swimming pool filters are considered the highest quality filter because they filter to the finest micron.

DE water filters contain grids inside the filter housing. The diatomaceous earth is poured into the housing, where it coats the grids. The fossilized diatoms act as tiny sieves, filtering out microscopic particles. Diatomaceous earth can filter out debris as tiny as 5 microns, or 5/1,000 of a millimeter.