Swimming Pool Store

Full sized swimming pool filters cost from a few hundred dollars to just under a thousand or more, so choosing the best one for your needs is not a minor decision.  Of course, the best filter for you may not be the best filter for someone else.  Here are some pros and cons of each type of filter.  Hopefully this information will help you make the best choice for you.

The three most common types of filter systems for swimming pools and spas are sand filters, diatomaceous earth filters (also called DE filters), and cartridge filters.  If your pool will is used by more families than just your own, such as in an apartment setting, a sand filter will probably be your best bet.  Sand filters do not remove as small of particles of debris as the other types.  This loss of efficiency means that you can handle a larger capacity of dirty water.  The more efficient DE and cartridge filters tend to fill up or clog up when many people are using the pool.  In general, sand filters are very reliable.

DE swimming pool filters are the most expensive and the most efficient of the filter types.  They scour out the tiniest of particles, which means they give you the cleanest water of the three types.  Both DE and sand pool filters have to be cleaned by backwashing, which means that clean water has to be run backward through the system to get the impurities out.  This process requires a lot of water usage, as sand filters need to be cleaned every week or two, and DE filters need it every six weeks or so.  Because of the extra water needed to maintain these filters, they are not allowed in some cities, so check your local laws if you are interested in using one of these.

DE filters also need to have the diatomaceous earth and the grids to which it adheres replaced occasionally, which can be costly.  Repairs to DE filters are expensive as well.

The third type of filter is a cartridge filter, which is mid-priced and mid-efficiency between the other two types.  Cartridge filters are easy for homeowners to maintain, as cleaning basically involves removing the cartridge and rinsing it off with a garden hose.  Cartridges also have to be replaced every year or two.  Find out how expensive they are before you choose a brand.  Some cartridges are quite costly. 

So there you have some of the basic good and bad points of each of the more familiar types of swimming pool filters.  Good luck choosing the best one for you!