Midwest Custom Pools: Pool Filters

Pool Filters

There are three different types of pool filters out there. The three main types are sand filters, D.E. filters (Diatomaceous Earth), and cartridge filters. All three have their pros and cons, and we will discuss these things to make sure you are well informed about all the choices. You will find that the bigger the filter the better, but there will be additional cost the bigger you go.

First, D.E. filters: D.E. filters can and will clean your pool the best out of all the filters available on the market (although cartridge filters are catching up with them). They are rarely used today because of the very high maintenance involved with them. You have big grids inside the filter that have to be taken out and washed. D.E. is white and very messy as well. It also gets caked on the side of the grids and is very hard to get off. You have to recharge the filter with D.E. every time you backwash through the skimmer. Speaking of backwashing: this, I feel, is the downfall of both D.E. and sand filters. When you backwash, you loose both your pool water and pool chemicals. This would not be my choice of filter because of the high maintenance involved.

Next on our filter list is sand filters. Sand filters are great for us service guys because they are very easy to clean, and the sand hardly ever needs to be changed. They are also easy for the homeowner to operate as well. Now to the cons of a sand filter, they waste water and chemicals because they have to be backwashed. They also are the worst out of the three filters as far as cleaning goes. They are also the biggest type of filter and take up a lot of room. I would take this filter over a D.E. filter as they are very easy to operate and pretty low maintenance, lower then the other two.

Last on the list is the cartridge filter.  In my opinion, the best choice around. The good thing about them is they are small but have a large cleaning area.  They usually need to be cleaned once a year, depending on how much stuff accumulates in the pool. They clean almost as good as a D.E. filter, and when they need to be cleaned they are very easy. They also don't have to be backwashed, so you are not throwing money down the drain. And they have a small footprint on the equipment pad. Now to the bad, they do have to have to be replaced for time to time, but this is a very easy process. 

The good news is that all of the three filter options are about the same price. So price should not be a factor when choosing your filter!

I hope you can use this to select the best filter for you. Remember the bigger the filter the better. It also cuts down on how often you have to clean it. D.E. will clean the water the best but is a maintenance nightmare. Sand filters are very easy to clean and operate. Cartridge filters are the best of both worlds and they don't have to be backwashed, so you are not wasting money. 

Visit our website for more information! Or give me a call: Bryan Handy, 785- 423-5868