Pool Sand Filters Now In-Stock at PoolSet
There’s a lot that goes into keeping a pool healthy and sparkling. The pump, heater, cover, and cleaner all play vital roles, but it’s impossible to maintain crystal-clear water without the right filter.
Many owners remain in the dark about which filter is best for their pride and joy. To help you make the right call, here’s what you need to know about one of the most common types - sand filters.
What is a sand filter?
Sand filters have been used as far back as Ancient Greece for good reason. They’re simple yet effective at removing dirt and debris.
Modern examples work by pumping dirty water through sand, zelbrite, zeolite, or silica. The ‘media’ captures unwanted particles as small as 20 microns, leaving only clean water for the laterals at the bottom of the tank to collect and expel back into the pool.
This process occurs, suitably enough, when the filter is on the ‘filtration setting’. While it’s by far the most often used, there are other settings you need to be aware of.
The ‘backwash setting’ reverses the flow through the filter. As water rises from the bottom it agitates the media within, dislodging debris and allowing them to be exported via a waste pipe. Be sure to run this setting regularly to keep your sand filter as efficient and clean as possible. Pool Set’s range of sand filters feature a pressure gauge that lets you know when backwashing is needed.
After backwashing or replacing the filter media, it’s important to then utilise the ‘rinse setting’. This pumps water from top to bottom before draining via the waste pipe. It compacts the media and prevents it from working its way back into your pool.
The ‘circulate setting’ bypasses the filter altogether. It can be used to help distribute chemicals evenly throughout the water.
Finally, the ‘closed setting’ is equivalent to turning your filter off. It should be used exclusively during servicing and never when the pump is in operation.
What’s the difference between a sand filter and a cartridge filter?
The main difference between sand and cartridge filters is that the latter forgoes the media listed above in favour of a cloth-like material. This comes with a host of pros and cons.
Cartridge Filter Pros
- Cartridge filters can capture particles as fine as 10 microns - roughly half the size of the average sand filter. This includes minute contaminants like talcum powder or mould spores.
- Due to their compact form, cartridge filters are ideal for installation when space is at a premium.
Cartridge Filter Cons
- Cartridge filters, while a sound option for small and medium pools, are less suited to processing large volumes of water.
- They also need frequent manual cleaning - a simple process of removing the filter and hosing it off.
Sand Filter Pros
- Sand filters are easy to use, require minimum maintenance, and can handle small, medium or large applications.
- With UV and corrosion-resistant fibreglass construction, Pool Set’s sand filters are exceptionally durable. They come with warranties on the tank, valve, and pressure gauge.
Sand Filter Cons
- Water is necessarily wasted when the backwash setting is used. They, therefore, require you to top up the pool more frequently.
- Though performing well in various circumstances, sand filters are less adept at filtering very fine debris.
Which is the right filter for my pool?
The filter that’s best for your pool will depend on a number of factors: including the pool’s volume, how willing you are to perform frequent maintenance, the environmental conditions, and so on.
Whichever option you choose, you can rest assured you’ll be getting a quality product from Pool Set. Our cartridge filters and sand filters are made using robust materials, are packed with clever features, and are simple to install.
View our entire range of filters to learn more, and be sure to peruse our blog for other pool care tips and information.
The information provided by the Poolset website must not be relied upon or regarded as a substitute for specific professional advice. We make no claim that the website is 100% accurate or suitable for an individual's unique circumstance and provide the website on the basis that all persons accessing the website responsibly assess the relevance and accuracy of its content.