Pool Filters
A pool filter is a device that is used to filter out any dirt, debris and dust from the swimming pool. Its definitive aim is to keep the pool looking clean and sparkling. There is a wide variety of pool filters available on the market, each varying within price range and quality of use. The three main types of pool filters that can be purchased are sand filters, cartridge filters and DE filters. Each of these filters have pros and cons about what they offer regarding quality of filtering, maintenance required and price range.
The first of the three pool filters, the sand filter, is probably the most cost-effective filter that one can purchase. The purpose of the sand filter is to filter out debris and dirt but only works for particles that are 40 microns in size, not smaller. A sand filter functions with a specially graded sand as its filter media. The water passes through the tank and into the diffuser, water is then filtered through the sand filter and all dust, dirt and debris are trapped within the sand particles. The cleaner water then passes through to the end of the sand filter, enters into the laterals and return into the pool. Offering cleaner water at a reasonable price is the main advantage of the sand filter, however, for persons living in tropical climates where fine dust particles are a problem, the sand filter will not be the best option.
A second pool filter is called the cartridge filter. This type of pool filter uses paper-type cartridges as their filtering media. The advantage of cartridge filters are that they require very little maintenance, through evolving technology these types of filters will only require cleaning twice annually. A cartridge filter is not much different from a sand filter in the sense that the quality of water produced is much the same. Cartridge filters will only trap debris and dirt that are 40 microns in size or bigger, they therefore do not filter finely, once again, this form of pool filter is not ideal for persons residing within tropical or desert climates.
Pool filters which are costly yet the most effective for almost any type of pool and which can be used by individuals residing under any climate is that of a DE filter. DE filters have the ability of filtering very fine particles, they filter dirt and dust particles which are as small as 4 microns in size, therefore, particles up to 10 times smaller than what are filtered by the sand and cartridge filters. This is their biggest advantage. Diatomaceous Earth is the filter media used by the DE filter, it makes use of plastic grids and is covered with a plastic type of fabric. The Diatomaceous Earth does the filtering (as it covers the grid). The only disadvantage offered by the DE filter is that it is more expensive than the abovementioned pool filters.
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