As a swimming pool owner, you have three different choices when it comes to filters for your swimming pool. Each of them has their differences and benefits depending on what you are looking for and we want this blog post to be informative on the differences of each. We will be discussing the types of filters, what makes them unique, when they should be cleaned as well as price points for each. As we have stated in the past, Weber Pools will always choose Jandy first. As an authorized dealer we like Jandy for their price points, reliability, warranty and of course functionality. As for the filters for your swimming pool, you can choose sand, cartridge or diatomaceous earth (DE). Each one of these filters can be further broken down into the following categories to help us decide on which best fits your needs:
- Type of liner
- How much vegetation you have around your swimming pool
- Surface area of the pool
- Water conservation factors
- Ease of use
Jandy Sand Filter
Sand Filter
Pros
- Easiest filter to use
- The most common filter you will find for swimming pools
- Filters down to 20 microns
- Easy to backwash when pressure rises to set backwash number
Cons
- Requires replacements of sand every 5-8 years or when laterals break
- Not recommended for pebble tec pools or pools with lots of vegetation due to high micron number
- Can take much longer to clean up a green pool with this type of filter
- Can be the hardest filter to work with when parts break because you usually will need to vacuum out the sand if it’s on the inside.
Jandy Cartridge Filter
Cartridge Filter
Pros
- Simple and easy to maintain
- Filters down to 10 microns
- Since there is no backwashing it is the best filter if you are looking for water conservation.
- Filters better in large surface area pools
Cons
- More expensive filter out of the three
- Cartridge replacement can be more expensive
Jandy DE Filter
D.E. Filter
Pros
- Filters down to 3 microns. This will keep your pool the cleanest
- Filters the largest surface area and keeps the pool the cleanest
- Best for pools with lots of vegetation in the backyard
- If you happen to get a green pool, this filter will clean it up the quickest
Cons
- Requires the most amount of maintenance especially after backwashing
The key to picking out which type of filter for your swimming pool is ultimately dependent on you but the above factors should help you make a decision. Most importantly, if your swimming pool is surrounded by a lot of trees, plants, soil and other types of vegetation, the clearest cut choice for you to keep your pool the cleanest is going to be a D.E. filter. Other than that, if you’re in an area where there are drought conditions we would recommend a cartridge filter because there is no backwashing and it does a great job of keeping your swimming pool clean. When it comes to a sand filter, all that is necessary is a backwash but always be on the lookout for sand in your pool. When that happens, you might have a cracked lateral, which is the main filtration mechanism in a sand filter. At this point, a sand change will be necessary. As for cartridge filters, when the pressure rises to the maximum, they will need to be hosed down and cleaned (typically quarterly). Make sure to open up the pleats of the filter to thoroughly clean them. Finally, a D.E. filter should be taken apart at a minimum of one time a year. You will need to hose down the grids to get the excess D.E. off of them and then recharge the filter when you put it back together. Please note, that if you see D.E. blowing back into the pool, that’s a sign there’s a tear in the grid and it will need to be replaced.
At Weber Pools, we are very familiar with each type of filter and can keep track of backwashing, cleaning and replacing if necessary. If you should have any questions in regards to filters, contact us today!