How to Select the Best Pool Filter for Your Pool

Owners of the pools should approach the choice of the filtration system very carefully, as the health of those bathing in the pool depends on the quality of the water. The issue of water purification in a private pool can be solved by a good filter-pump of a mechanical type or a system of filters and equipment. But what criteria should you pay attention to first? How to choose the best pool filter and not waste money?

Mind Your Pool

Before you start to choose a filter, carefully examine your pool. Though it seems obvious, it`s still important to understand whether you have an Inground or Above ground type, and what the true volume of water is. If you have a small inflatable pool, then an inexpensive and simple filter will perfectly suit you. But if you are the owner of a large Inground or frame pool, sometimes even the most advanced filters cannot fully cope with the purification of water. In this case, you should choose the most powerful models and supplement them with chemical or ionic ways of water filtration.

Mind the Frequency of Use

Also, consider how often you use the pool. If your pool is a daily necessity for you, then the filter should be very reliable and withstand decent hours of operation. A good filter is also needed if you have a stationary pool and don`t like to drain water from it during your absence. In this case, in order to prevent water stagnation and production of dangerous bacteria and microorganisms, the filter and the pump must meet all quality parameters. However, if you still use the pool seasonally or only during short visits in the countryside, we advise you to drain the water from the pool and get fresh only when you decide to swim. An expensive filter with rare use doesn`t make sense.

Pump Power

Choosing a filter, don`t forget that it is directly connected to your pump, and both of them form a single system. Therefore, the filter power must ideally coincide with the power and throughput of the pump. If the filter is weaker than the pump, then water will flow into it under too much pressure, and the device will not cope with its work. Ultimately, such irregularity will lead to bad filtration, rapid wear of the filter, and its breakage.

Turnover Rate and Size

To keep the water transparent, you should turn on the pump every day. Thus all the water in the pool is run through the filtration system. All filters differ from each other in the number of gallons or liters processed per minute and the turnover rate. The minimum turnover rate is once every 12 hours for a full run of the entire pool. Nowadays the most popular models are devices with a turnover of 8 to 10 hours. Choose a filter that has a minimum of 10 hours turnover rate. When it comes to filters, you`d better always choose a device of greater size. The more filters, the better they maintain the purity of the water. For correct calculation, you can refer to the list of the most common pool sizes and their volumes, as well as the list of the most popular filter sizes and their rating.

Types of Filler

Choose internal material. Filter cleaning materials are different, and they all have different effects on the final result. So, we`ll look at three types and compare them: sand vs. cartridge pool filters.

Sand. When choosing a sand filter, pay attention to the filler. It can be quartz sand, glass sand, gravel. The more diverse the filler, the higher the level of purification. Quartz sand needs complete replacement every 3 years, glass sand is changed only once every 5 or 6 years.

Cartridge. The principle of operation of this filter is very simple. This type of filter looks like a small oblong flask. Inside there is a compartment for replaceable cartridges and a plastic garbage bag. Water seeps through the filter material of the cartridge, and large dirt and small particles settle at the bottom, collecting in the bag. This model is suitable for rather rare pool service and cases when the water in it is relatively clean. It`s worth noting that you`ll have to carry out the frequent change of quite expensive cartridges.

Diatom. Such filters use fine diatomaceous powder, which allows for achieving maximum water purity. The fine fraction of the cleaning particles retains the smallest contaminants of up to 1 micron in size, which is an indisputable advantage over sand analogs, although otherwise, the principle of operation of diatom devices is just the same. Water passes through the diatom pillow, cleans and returns to the pool. Today diatom filters are the most expensive, but also the most effective.

Location

When choosing a filter, consider the location of the pool. Depending on whether you`ve got an outdoor or indoor pool, it requires different types of filters. For example, sand models are more suitable for outdoor pools, and diatom or cartridge are considered universal and are suitable for a pool with any location.

Specialists’ Advice for Best Pool Filter

If after all the advice you still have doubts or difficulties in calculating and choosing a filter model, ask for help from specialists. Call some filter manufacturer or a company installing the pool equipment. They`ll help you to determine the approximate volume of the pool, to coordinate the power of the pump and filter, tell you about the pros and cons of all existing models. Don`t be shy or lazy to double-check your own calculations. Experts` experience can help you to be sure that you have chosen the best of all options.

Filtration of the pool is very important for keeping it clean and for preventing water contamination, so one should not save on the filter or choose it randomly. Follow our advice and the advice of experts, and your filter will delight you with clean water and long service.