Pool Filter Comparison
Filter Comparison Chart
The best type of filter depends on the usage of the pool as well as the preferences of the pool owner/operator and the local city codes.
The chart below will help you to determine the best filter for your situation.
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Filter Type
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Sand Filter
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DE Filter
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Cartridge Filter
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Filter
Media
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Sand
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Diatomaceous Earth
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Paper Filters
|
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Filtration Efficiency
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Good
40 microns
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Best
5 microns
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Good
10 microns
|
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Cleaning
Method
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Internal Backwash
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Internal Backwash
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Disassemble and Clean with Hose
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|
Backwash
Line Required
|
Yes
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Yes
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No
|
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Frequency
Of Cleaning
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Every Week
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Every 4-8 Weeks
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Varies Widely, depending on unit
|
|
Recommended Application
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Home Pools
Apartment Pools
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Home Pools
NOT for Apt. Pools
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Home Pools
NOT for Apt. Pools
|
|
Water Clarifier
Needed?
|
Sometimes
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Never
|
Sometimes
|
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How Often Media Replaced?
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6 years (home use)
3 years (apt. use)
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Each Backwash
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2-4 years
|
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Cost to Replace Filter Media
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$50 - $100 for sand
(excludes labor)
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$2.00 - $4.00 for DE
$200 - $300 for a new set of grids
(excludes labor)
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Varies, but can be VERY expensive
|
|
Annual Maintenance
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None Required
|
DE Filter Clean
$75.00
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Cartridge Cleaning periodically.
|
|
Positive Points
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Easy to backwash
Filter Media cheap
Infrequent Repairs
|
Best filtration
|
Simple to maintain
Easy to repair
|
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Negatives
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Poorest Filtration
"Wastes" water in weekly backwash
|
Backwash a bit complicated
Repairs not cheap
Not allowed in every municipality.
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Cartridges can be a bit costly, check cost before buying filter.
Filter cleaning not as easy as others
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The choice of filter for a home pool is largely up to the consumer. Any type of filter will work, but sand filters will not filter as
finely and this can create water clarity problems from time to time.
DE and Cartridge filters should NOT be used on semi-public pools (apartments, condos, hotels, etc).
The manufacturers may try to sell them for this application, but they are not the best choice. The problem is that with their finer rate of filtration, they fill up with
dirt very quickly and become clogged and ineffective. I have seen a lot of DE and Cartridge filters that have been pulled off of semi-public pools after only a few
months or years.. In these cases, the owner had to foot the bill to have a new sand filter installed. In some cases, where it is not possible to install a
backwash line for the pool, a Cartridge filter may need to be installed, but it should be done with the expectation of higher maintenance labor and parts costs.
Return to filter shopping
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