What Is The Best Pool Filter?

Sand filters remove the largest types of debris, 20-50 microns. Switching the sand media to glass media inside this filter allows for a finer debris removal from the water. A sand filter, though, has a multiport valve which is a major water flow restriction. This means the maximum flow rate (gallons per minute being filtered) is much less than other types of pool filters.
Cartridge filters remove smaller particles (10-15microns) than traditional sand filters resulting in cleaner water for swimming. They also do not have a flow inhibiting multiport valve making this a more efficient pool filter with a higher maximum flow rate - more pool water filtered faster.
Diatomaceous earth filters have the finest media that can remove extremely fine debris (2-5 microns), and that means well filtered swimming water. Although this is the one of the best mediums to use for filtering your pool water, working with DE and doing regular maintenance on DE filters can be more difficult than some pool owners care to take on.
Cartridge filters could be the best choice compared to DE filters and sand filters. The paper cartridges remove tiny debris, they are more flow efficient than the sand filters with a minimal and easier maintenance schedule than DE filters.

#swimmingpoolsteve #poolfilter #bestfilter

[MrOlvidado]

Great clarification to a new pool owner as to why you rate the filters in that order. Thank you

[danaparish]

Steve, great video (as usual). I converted from sand to cartridge last season (along with changing pump from single speed to B & D Variable Speed) and WOW what a difference it made! I used the information I got from your videos and questions I asked you and programmed the pump and you’re right—the flow rate is incredible! I had a HUGE sand filter (300 # Sand filter) and with the cartridge and the new pump, my pool is cleaner than ever before and I’m only using about 71 watts for the majority of the filtration day (vs about 1.6 kw) while the single speed was running. At night, with the pool light on, I don’t see all the little “floaters” in the pool like I did with the sand filter. Perfectly clear!

[apple-guy]

I’m a new above pool owner .. and I have a Hayward cartridge filter system.. can’t say much about the other kind of filters but I definitely like mine and I feel the maintenance is much better and quicker for me.

[danlah]

Love my sta-rite system 3. 25 years old - Inherited it when I bought house. One set of cartridges lasts season - never see an increase of more than 5psi between opening and closing.

[FENATECH]

Came across your video and found it very informative.

I started helping my fiancé with her pool in LI NY, and have been opening and closing it for her the past 3 years.

It’s a 15’x30’ rectangular pool with a 3-4’ shallow end, and an 8’ deep end so approximately 19, 000 gallons from what I can figure.

She has a Jandy 1HP FloPro pump and a Jandy DVE48 DE Filter with multiport valve.

Really find it a big pain to open the pool and maintain it each season as the debris from the winter that gets under the loop loc cover along with the late spring polly noses and strings seem to easily fill up the skimmer baskets.

We have to not just backwash but also open the DE filter and spray down each fin thoroughly several times just to help get the pool somewhat clear and clean. And also not fun to maintain as it is considerable amount of time to pull apart and clean and reassemble and deal with adding DE.

Based on this video I am thinking it may be good to look at changing over to a cartridge filter setup? Would also changing to a variable speed pump be better?

I will look to watch your videos on that next but figured I would ask here based on filter being main topic. Thank you again for your time in putting these videos together.

[dukeplc]

Great info as always. I have a sand filter and use socks on my skimmer baskets. Need to be aware that it does affect the flow a bit, but it works great for catching some of the silt and smaller floating particles. Running the pool cleaner regularly also helps keep the strain on your filter to a minimum. Thanks for the GREAT content.

[jdaveyhome]

Good info. An additional issue important to all of us is operating cost. The filters seem to last a few seasons but cost $400+ to replace them. Once a year I wash them real well and that seems to keep them going longer

[CraigFogus]

We have used DE filters for years. The maintenance really isn't that bad in my opinion. The clarity they provide is worth it again in my opinion. Good video.

[pennywilliam]

Subscribed and Liked
I’ve never thought of it like this. Thanks I’ll be looking into cartridge filters.

[krehbein]

Used to have DE for years, went to cartridge and will never go back. I guess backwashing DE is easier, but I never really knew how clean it was. At least with cartridge I can see how well I’m cleaning it. Never buying DE is a bonus.

[BastiAdventure]

Thank you for explaining the 3 types of filters.

[Tavares]

I’m putting in a new vinyl liner pool with a sand filter question is should I put glass media instead of sand?

[qb]

What do you do when you use flock in a cartridge pool
System. How do you get rid of the bottom mist and debris . My auto cleaner allow for the fine debri to go right through.

[gookerbooker]

Thanks for all the great videos, do you have a view on new Ceramic filtration technology for pools? Very fine removal at submicron, and excellent durability of membranes, better flow rates... at least that is what they tout.

[pyrocnc]

Hi, I have a very large pool that uses three sand filters (Triton II TR140) in parallel. I'm having trouble getting the water crystal clear for the users the next day. Can I add a cartridge filter system in series at the end, or do I need to replace all the sand filters? thanks!

[conperry]

Well done Steve. I just dont understand why sand filters are so popular. Despite your experience, I find cartridge filters similarly priced to sand filters (up to a certain size). So no advantage there either. Cartridge life is pretty good too( unless pool is poorly managed). Sand is heavy and messy to install and decomission too, multiport valves constantly leak, and I for one hate vacuuming pools and seeing fine stuff blowing back into the pool- even with new sand filters with glass media. Why bother with sand if you need to add clarifier to make the filter work better? Why sand at all? More chems needed, more lost water- more frequent cleaning(less filter area) why? I would not hesistate to fit DE to my pool if it were more readily available despite their disadvantages. If you care and understand, why not have the best?

[mchaywood]

For a 18ft intex style pool would you still go cartridge and what are your thoughts on filter balls in either?

[vickj]

Which is the best salt water pump and filter for fiberglass pool for 9000 gallon water ?

[nathen]

If using glass media in a sand filter. Just use a slider (plunger) type of valve for backwashing.

[AhmedButt-sx]

HI SIR I NEED HELP I JUST MAKE PUBLIC POOL SIZE 95 FIT LONG, 65 FIT WIDTH, 6 FIT DEPTH SO I WANT TO KNOW WHICH MAKE BEST AND SIZE FILTER SYSTEM I NEED AND HOW MANY PUMP I NEED FOR THIS SIZE.THANKS