Whether you’re ready to throw the ultimate pool party in your backyard, or if you just enjoy swimming as a stress reliever, we know that you want to take the best possible care of your pool.
And while removing debris with a net and testing the pH balance of your pool are both important steps, you also need to make sure that you’ve invested in the best type of pool filter for your needs.
But what should you look for when you’re shopping for swimming pool filters?
That’s what this post is all about. We’ll tell you about the most popular types of pool filters, as well as why making the right choice is so important.
Keep reading to pick up some much-needed tips on buying pool filters that will keep yours in tip-top shape.
What Do Pool Filters Do?
Before we get into how you can choose the best type of pool filter for your needs, let’s talk about what they’re designed to do.
As you likely already know, pool filters are designed to trap dirt, debris, twigs, and leaves, and to prevent them from getting in the water with you.
But, many people don’t realize that pool filters do much more than just eliminate dirt and twigs. They also ensure that your pool water is flowing properly.
This means that your pool will be free from disgusting bugs and parasites, which look for stagnant water as the perfect breeding ground. A filter keeps things moving in your pool so that bugs don’t see it as an ideal place to start laying eggs.
Filters also help to eliminate the growth of algae in your pool. Because you’ll have fewer bacteria in your water, it won’t be in the perfect condition for algae growth.
Above all, a pool filter helps to keep as much bacteria as possible out of your pool water. Especially if you have young children who love spending time in your pool, we know that keeping them safe while they swim is a huge concern.
We think their health and safety is the best reason of all to make sure you’re getting the right types of pool filters for your needs.
In some cases, you might even be legally required to install a filter in your pool for these very reasons. This is especially important if you’re running any kind of a public pool.
Why the Right-Sized Filter Matters
The best pool filter is also one that fits correctly.
But why does it matter so much?
First of all, if your filter is too small for your pool, it’s simply not going to be able to work effectively. This means that you’ll either have to change the filter much more frequently than you would if it was the right size or that your pool will be filled with debris.
Neither one of those options sounds ideal.
Additionally, if your filter is too small, the filter could easily break from overuse. This also puts your pool’s pump at risk — which is a much more costly fix than getting a new filter.
But what about if the filter is too large for your pool?
It could carry too high of an electrical current. We don’t think we need to go into why that’s not a good thing.
Plus, it can also end up causing water to rush through your pool too quickly. This won’t make for the most comfortable swim. Too fast of a water flow can even damage the tiling in your pool in some cases.
Choosing the Best Type of Pool Filter: First Steps
Now that you have a better understanding of what pool filters do and why they’re important, let’s talk about how to choose the best type of pool filter for your needs.
The first thing that you’ll need to do is measure your pool. Remember that you’ll need to measure the actual surface area of your swimming pool.
This doesn’t refer to the amount of water that it contains.
In most cases, you should be able to get this information on the paperwork for your pool. Of course, you can also measure it yourself.
Take the length and the width measurements of a square or rectangular pool. Then, multiply the length by the width to get the area.
If you have a circular pool, take a measurement of the distance across your pool. Then, to get the area, multiply that distance by 3.14.
Now that you know the area of your pool, you’ll also need to measure its overall volume. After all, this is how the majority of pool filters are labeled.
Because this equation is a bit trickier, it’s best to rely on your paperwork or look it up online. If not, try this equation:
Volume = length x width x the average depth x 7.5.
Understanding the Main Types of Pool Filters
Now, let’s get into the main types of filters that you’ll be able to choose from.
This section breaks down three of the types of filters: DE filters, sand filters, and cartridge pool filters.
Read on to learn which option is likely the best choice of you when it comes to taking care of your pool.
Sand Filters
The first option is called a sand filter, and it actually strains your water through sand to clean it. The water in your pool is pulled down into a large amount of sand, which then traps the debris.
The more debris that a sand filter collects, the lower the overall water flow and the higher the pressure on the sand filter.
To clean a sand filter, the backwashing method is applied. This means that it will be run in the reverse direction, and the waste will be dumped out. Your filter will have a backwash valve for this very purpose.
People enjoy sand filters because they’re the most affordable option. Plus, they’re incredibly effective, with the ability to filter junk that’s between 20-40 microns. For comparison’s sake, that’s even smaller than a single strand of hair.
They last anywhere from 5-7 years and are fairly low maintenance. However, they do use lots of water — anywhere from 300-500 gallons during the cleaning process.
DE Filters
You may also select a DE filter, also known as a diatomaceous earth filter.
DE is actually a type of powder that’s made from fossils that act as miniature sieves. Fabric grids are actually coated in this DE powder, meaning that you’ll get double filtration duty.
They can trap junk that’s as tiny as three microns — so, they are often seen as the most effective type.
They’re also the most expensive option, and use lots of water. However, they can last from 7-10 years.
They do require a bit more maintenance than some of the other types of filters. However, their effectiveness usually makes it worth the bit of extra work.
Cartridge Pool Filters
The last type of the most common swimming pool filters are cartridge filters, which many people feel strike the perfect balance between DE and sand filters.
They’re especially popular because they don’t use as much water as the two other types of filters. In a nutshell, these filters work by running your pool water through a filte, and then trapping the debris inside of it.
It’s a fairly similar process to the way that your under-the-sink filter works. They’re able to filter out debris as small as 10-15 microns, which is excellent. Additionally, they can cover the greatest surface area out of all the filters discussed here.
They do have a shorter lifespan than sand and DE filters, but you can extend that lifespan by taking good care of them. They’re also still a fairly affordable option.
Plus, since they use just 100 gallons per cleaning, they’re an incredibly competitive option for most pool owners.
Shop for the Best Type of Pool Filter Online
We hope that this post has helped you to better understand not just why pool filters matter, but also how to find the best type of pool filter for your needs.
Now, you’re ready to start shopping for your own pool filters.
But why pay more when you could get high-quality filters for less?
We invite you to spend some time browsing through our extensive range of pool filters. No matter the type of filter you’re looking for, we want to help you to be able to get the best possible price on it.
Should you have any questions while you’re shopping, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
My LifeSmart plug and play hot tub uses a cartridge filter with a closed top, but when Iordered a replacement filter with the exact same part number, I received an open top cartridge filter. Does it matter if the top is open or closed? Everything else is the same as the original filter that came with the hot tub when purchased, and the new filter fits in just right.