Which Filter?
Swimming pool filters are a major part of a pool circulation system and need to be sized and selected for the application they will be used for to ensure the water quality is always crystal clear. Filters also need to be sized and selected to allow for the filter pumps to circulate the pool water to take account of the bathing load, velocity of water passing through the pipe work and whether its used on an indoor or outdoor pool.
This page should allow you to understand now your pool filter works and help you resolve problems. If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact Professional Swimming Pools.
Swimming Pool Filters are one of the most important components in ensuring the correct operation of your swimming pool. If your pool filter is working insufficiently or is installed incorrectly your pool water will soon appear murky, smelly and very uninviting to swim in. Therefore a good swimming pool filter is essential. Conditions such as these are a perfect breeding ground for diseases so even if you have a filter but your water isn’t exactly how you pictured it to be, it might just be worth having it checked out for you and your family’s own safety. It is normal for outdoor pools to become a collecting ground for falling leaves, twigs and other debris and to grow a little algae as seasons begin to change, but it will be your filter along with the pump and any added chemicals that come to the rescue in circumstances such as this.
Your swimming pool filter will work side by side with the pump to ensure the quality of water is safe and of a good standard. Your swimming pool pump is responsible for the circulation of the water in your pool ensuring any added chemicals are evenly distributed, see Swimming Pool Filter Pumps. The filter will then be responsible for the removal of any debris that threatens the quality of water. On the market today there are many different types of pool filters but 3 stand out amongst the rest;
1. SAND FILTERS
Sand Filters work by filtering water through a bed of sand and are one of the most inexpensive filters on the market. Dirty water goes into the top of the filter and the clean water exits through the bottom. The pump pushes the dirty water through the sand and the filter then separates off the dirty water from the clean. The sand gets fairly dirty during this process and if it is left to get too full of debris the pressure in the sand filter can increase and consequently will decrease the flow of water. It is therefore important to backwash your system every couple of weeks and this simply involves running everything in reverse. Once the backwash is complete the filter will pack the sand back in position and the filter is now ready to start filtering once again. If the sand ever gets too dirty and needs replacing then this can be done very easily and fairly inexpensively. Sand filters are ideal for home swimming pools as well as being the best filter for publicly used pools.
2. CARTRIDGE FILTERS
Cartridge filters are the easiest of all to comprehend as they work exactly how you imagine them too. With a cartridge filter water simply passes through a filter and any debris in the water is captured. Cartridge filters require no backwashing as there is no backwashing valve on a cartridge filter but that filter does need removing and cleaning every 6 months or so. Cleaning of the filters can simply take place by hosing them down to remove any dirt and debris that is embedded but every time the filter is taken out for cleaning, the efficiency of the filter is reduced. Cartridge filters tend to get less clogged up than the other options of filters on the market and you have two options when it does come to replacing them. You can either opt for the cheaper cartridges which will need to be replaced quite frequently or the pricier cartridges which can last up to 5 years without needing a replacement. Cartridge filters are designed to work at a lower pressure than sand filters and you therefore get more flow and turnover for a similar sized pump. Cartridge filters are most ideally recommended for spas and smaller private pools.
3. DIATOMACEOUS EARTH (DE) FILTERS
Diatomaceous earth filters are the most efficient filters you can find today and work by using diatomaceous earth to filter debris and even particles down to a size as small as 5 microns out of the water. Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilised remains of diatoms and is a great filter medium because it has such a high porosity and has the ability to filter tiny particles that would slip through cartridge or sand filters. This earth is used to coat grids in the filter housing and they act like tiny sieves to filter out any debris. Just like the sand filter, when the pressure gets too high you need to backwash the system and add diatomaceous powder which is used to coat the filter grids. As water passes through the Diatomaceous earth it leaves the dirt behind. This powder is very inexpensive and easily obtainable. Diatomaceous filtration offers the best filtration available and will provide you with the cleanest and safest water quality but at a higher price than the other filters on the market. Because Diatomaceous earth filters remove the most dirt they are not ideal for public or semi-public pools because they can easily get clogged and will work less efficiently.
Choosing the correct filtration system for your pool is very important but proper installation is just as important when it comes to the cleanliness and safety of your water quality. Deciding which filtration system is best for you can seem a little daunting but please feel free to contact PSP and we will be able to help with your decisions and advise you as to which filtration system will work best for you and your pool.
