Everything You Need to Know About Pool Filters

A great pool filter keeps your water sparkling and clean. It is a great investment and will help make swimming in your own private pool that much more enjoyable.

A typical concrete swimming pool is comprised of two or more drains in the bottom and will also have one or more skimmers around the perimeter to help circulate the water. Adequate filtration is one of the most important elements of your pool and cannot be overemphasized in the overall program of sound pool maintenance and sanitary water. The filter is passive and requires the pump and motor to pass water through it for cleaning. Filter types vary in popularity in different areas of the country. (There are certainly pros and cons to each type, although all of the filters are quite capable of providing excellent results with proper instruction and maintenance.)

Learn everything you need to know about pool filters with help from Anthony and Sylvan. We have a wide selection of the best pool filters on the market. Shop online for your next filtration unit.

What is a Cartridge Pool Filter?

Cartridge filters use one or more pleated elements or cartridges as the filter media to
collect dirt and debris. Their unique advantages are minimal maintenance and less water loss than filters that require backwashing. The cartridge(s) should be removed and cleaned, generally every 6 months or 1 to 2 times per season. Cartridge filters utilize the debris they collect as an aid to improve filtration. As a result, cleaning too often does not allow the filter to work at optimum filtration efficiency, while not cleaning often enough will shorten the life of a cartridge element. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions provided with your filter. The cartridge elements will generally last 3 years before needing to be replaced (or when cleaning no longer allows adequate flow and reduced pressure).

Are Sand Filters Better Than Cartridge Filters?

Sand filters encompass a large tank. The tank is filled with special-grade sand that captures dirt and debris. Dirty water enters the filter’s inlet pipe where water will flow down through the sand and then returned back to the swimming pool. Once the sand is filled with dirt and debris, the water flow slows and a blockage occurs. The sand filter will need to be backwashed to clear the blockage. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions provided with your filter or call a certified pool specialist to purge the system.

Sand filters are an affordable and effective option for larger pools. The sand should be replaced every five or six years. As far as if they are better than cartridge filters, it is all up to weighing the pros and cons of each unit.

I’ve Heard of Diatomaceous Earth Filters. Are They a Good Option?

Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) is a fossil material ground into a very fine white powder. D.E. filters contain internal elements or grids that become coated with the D.E. powder. Water passes through the D.E. coated element which strains dirt, algae and some forms of bacteria from the water. D.E. filters remove the tiniest of contaminants…particles as small as 5 microns; an average grain of sand is 1000 microns. As dirt accumulates within the tank the filter pressure gauge reading increases and the return water flow to the will pool decreases. To lower the pressure, you need to clean or backwash the filter to remove dirt and D.E. from the elements. Backwashing a D.E. filter reverses the flow of water. Reversing the water flow dislodges the dirt, debris and D.E. from the grids. Once the process is complete D.E. will need to be added to the system to re-coat the internal elements (grids) in the tank, the process is called “charging” the filter. The internal “elements” or “grids” should be cleaned thoroughly once or twice a season. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions provided with your filter.

Find the Best Pool Filters and Shop the Online Anthony and Sylvan Store

Now that you know all about pool filters, pick the unit that suits your pool. Shop our online store and easily compare your options. If you have any questions about a unit, reach out to us by calling 888-253-SWIM.