- Silica pool filter sand is the most commonly used type. ...
- Zeolite pool filter sand is made from volcanic rock minerals and can filter debris as small as 10 microns, giving it a slight edge over silica pool filter sand. ...
- Glass pool filter sand is the best option for removing very small particles from the pool water. ...
Full Answer
What grade of sand to use for pool filter?
- Standard #20 Grade Pool Filter Sand
- 50 lb bag
- Filters debris as small as 20-40 microns
- Easy to replace and maintain
- Specifically produced for Residential and Commercial Sand Filters
- Filters out dust, dirt, algae, hair, make-up, leaves, suntan lotion, oil and insects
- 100% natural - no chemicals added
- Non-toxic, odorless and non-staining
How to select the best pool filter?
Steps
- Find the surface area and the volume of water your pool can hold. Pools come in all types of shapes.
- Find the pool’s maximum volume of water. Then, use your pool’s volume to find out how much water can move through your filter in about a minute.
- Establish your pool’s turnover rate. ...
- Choose the right filter. ...
Can there be too much sand in the pool filter?
If you have too much sand, the sand bed will be above the point where the tank starts to taper. This means the filter will behave like a smaller filter, requiring more frequent backwashing and causing higher resistance to flow. It will still filter. If it was high enough, you could see sand making its way into the returns.
What are the best pool filters?
- BEST OVERALL: Hayward DE6020 ProGrid D.E. ...
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: XtremepowerUS 19″ Above Inground Pool Sand Filter
- BEST CARTRIDGE: Pentair 160332 Clean and Clear Pool Filter Cartridge
- BEST SAND: Hayward ProSeries Pool Sand Filter
- BEST ABOVE-GROUND: Carvin Laser 22.5 Inch Above Ground Pool Sand Filter
What is the best filter sand for pool?
Glass pool filter sand is the best option for removing very small particles from the pool water. This alternative to silica sand is made from recycled glass and can capture debris as small as 3 to 5 microns in size, making it a good option for pools that have recurring algae problems. This is because while algae is often 30 microns in size, algae spores can be much smaller, allowing them to slip through silica sand and create new problems in the pool.
What is pool filter sand?
Pool filter sand can come in three common types that are designed to effectively trap dirt and debris to keep the pool water clean, including silica, zeolite, and glass sand. Silica pool filter sand is the most commonly used type.
What is 20 grade sand?
The 20-grade silica sand is capable of filtering a wide variety of pool debris like dirt, oil, hair, and algae that is 20 microns or larger. It’s 100 percent natural silica sand that has been mined instead of manufactured so that users don’t need to worry about chemicals in the sand.
Why is zeolite sand good for pool filters?
When selecting a new pool filter sand, it may be a good idea to invest in a zeolite sand product, especially if the pool has recurring issues with chlorine levels that result in sore or red eyes. This zeolite sand helps absorb chloramines, which are responsible for causing eye pain and redness while swimming. The sand is also ideal for filtering very small dirt, oil, debris, and particles that are as small as 10 microns.
How many pounds of sand is in a pool filter?
The silica pool filter sand comes in a 50-pound bag , though it’s also sold in a three-pack if more sand is necessary. It doesn’t solidify or form clumps, reducing the chance of filter clogging or channeling. The sand is also odorless and it backwashes easily, helping to keep the pool clean and crystal clear.
How to measure sand size for pool filter?
The grain size of pool filter sand can be measured in inches, but due to the size of the sand, it’s easier to express it in millimeters. In order for a sand filter to work properly, it needs grains of sand that are the appropriate size.
What is the difference between silica sand and zeolite sand?
Silica sand is made with ground quartz, and it has rough edges to help trap particulates. Zeolite pool filter sand is made from volcanic rock minerals and can filter debris as small as 10 microns , giving it a slight edge over silica pool filter sand.
What is the best sand for pool filters?
Pools are already full of chemicals, and it’s a good idea to try not to add more. The Palmetto pool filter sand is 100% natural with no added chemicals. It’s made specifically for pool filters, so it’s perfectly sized to filter out everything your pool may collect such as insects, sunscreen, hair, dirt, etc. Since it won’t solidify or become clumpy, this sand will never clog your filter and always offers a smooth backwash. The biggest draw to this sand is that once you fill your filter with it, you won’t have to think about it again until it’s ready to be replaced in another three to five years. That said, it’s one of the more costly pool filter sands on the market.
What is mystic white sand?
Mystic White is a specially graded pure white sand made of quartz. It’s manufactured to be more angular to filter out more contaminants and improve the flow rate. Plus, it also allows the sand to clean much easier during a backwash. It is ecologically safe, chemically inert and odorless. Exhibiting no signs of clumping, packing, or clogging, Mystic White allows for an even flow rate to help your pool filter be more efficient and effective. All of these benefits naturally come at a cost, which is high. In fact, it’s by far the highest-priced fool filter sand on this list. Although it does boast some special properties, it’s still just pool filter sand and it’s difficult to justify the significantly higher price when other pool filter sands do a similar job for less.
Do you need to backwash pool sand?
All pool filter sands are going to require regular backwashing to keep them nice and clean and make sure they are able to perform their duty of entrapping the dirt. Some sands will require more backwashing than others, with some needing it only infrequently. Other types of pool filter sand may require extensive backflushing prior to use to avoid the excess dust making a mess of your pool.
Can you refill a pool filter with sand?
Refilling your pool filter with sand doesn’t have to be expensive, and with the AquaQuartz pool filter sand, it’s not . Priced very affordably, this sand has all the features of good pool sand. It’s free of chemicals and is 100% natural as well, so it backwashes evenly with no problem.
Is Palmetto sand good for pool?
In our top position, the sand from Palmetto Pool Filter is very high-quality sand that will meet all of your needs and expectations. 100% natural and chemical-free, it won’t clump or clog your filter and offers smooth backflushes every time.
Is Zeosand better than other pool sands?
ZeoSand is a bit different than other pool filter sands. Zeosand is half the weight of normal sand, which means it takes half as much ZeoSand (by weight) to fill your filter. Although it is accompanied by a premium sticker price, since you only need half as much, it may actually be a more economical option in the end. Because of its different physical structure, ZeoSand can filter out much finer particles than normal pool sand is capable of, featuring 3 microns for ZeoSand compared to 20 microns for other pool filter sands.
Can pool sand separate contaminants?
Most standard pool filter sand will have no problem filtering out the standard contaminants. Things such as hair, suntan lotion, oils, insects, dirt, leaves, debris, etc., should be no problem for any normal pool filter sand to separate out. If you want to really be thorough with your filtration though, some brands offer types of pool filter sand that can filter out much finer particles. While typical sands are capable of filtering out particles down to 20 microns, some types make it possible to filter out particles down to a tiny 3 microns!
Key considerations
You have three main choices when it comes to pool filters: diatomaceous earth (DE), cartridge, and sand.
Features
Your choice will depend to some extent on whether you’re doing a complete pool, pump, and filter installation or just replacing an existing filter. If you’re starting from scratch, it’s possible to buy a filter/pump combination, which simplifies the process somewhat.
Pool sand filter prices
Inexpensive: The cheapest pool sand filters are those for aboveground pools and can be under $100. Those that can also serve as in-ground pool filters start at around $150.
How does a pool sand filter work?
How Sand Filters Work. Pool sand filters use sand as the medium of choice to trap dirt and debris. Water flows through the sand while unwanted particles are caught and trapped. Sand meant for use in these filtering systems is specially graded to make sure the individual grains of sand are the right size. (Usually .45 to .55 millimeters.)
What happens when sand is too small?
When the sand is too large, it is ineffective and allows unwanted debris to pass right through the filter.
How long should I backwash a Zeolite pool filter?
This dust will run out into your pool after you install the zeolite for the first time if you do not do a thorough backwash first. I recommend backwashing for 3-5 minutes, running ...
How long does silica sand last?
The other thing you need to know is that the average silica sand will last 3-5 years depending on pool usage and the foliage around the pool.
What is the oldest filtering media?
Silica sand is the oldest of the filtering medias. Not all sand is created equal and if you are going to replace your old media with sand, silica sand is the way you need to go. Number 20 silica sand will filter down to 20 microns. As you can see from our chart above it will take care of most suspended solids in the pool water.
Is there a wrong choice when picking out your next filter media?
Is there are wrong choice when picking out your next filter media? Nope. That being said, filtration technology has come a long way and it might save you a pretty nickel to take a look around before using the old standby on your next media change.
Is zeolite pool water more expensive?
Zeolite is more expensive but if you are having the media changed by a pool pro; the money you save on labor because you don’t have to change it out as much makes up for some of the expense. Also, keep in mind your pool water will be cleaner with fewer suspended particles.
Does glass media filter water?
We are finding that using a glass media not only gives you superior filtering for better water clarity, but it lasts longer.
Is glass good for pool water?
Say what? Glass? To filter pool water? Well sure! Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it actually works. We are finding that using a glass media not only gives you superior filtering for better water clarity, but it lasts longer. Recycled glass is compatible with all sanitation systems. One advantage is that we are finding glass needs to be cleaned less frequently. This saves on water and chemical costs and that adds up when you look at the annual numbers. The glass particles have a slightly negative charge which attracts smaller particles allowing it to filter between 5 and 10 microns. The other thing that separates this media from the other two is that sand and Zeolite only use the top 6” of the media bed to filter out debris. Glass media uses all of the filtering media down to the pea gravel. There are companies such as VitroClean who tout that the recycled glass can last up to 10 years. Is this a more expensive form of filter media? Yes. But if you look over the course of 10 years maybe not. If you are using silica sand or Zeolite you may be changing that media 2-3 times over the course of 10 years. The labor cost alone will more than make up for the initial cost of recycled glass.
What is sand in a water filter?
At the heart of this operation is, you guessed it, sand. The sand filters the water of fine debris, as it is packed inside the tank and around the internal plumbing. Typically the tank is filled about 60% of the way with sand, so the amount you need depends on the size of your filter tank. We’ll talk a bit more about what sand is best to use a bit later.
What is the most common filter type for swimming pools?
Sand filters are probably the most common filter type on the market for swimming pools. Since they are very common, you should be able to get parts without too much difficulty when needed. But, if you’re going to be servicing the filter yourself, be prepared for some hard work any time you need to change the sand.
What Are Sand Filters And How Do They Work?
Sand filters start with a hollow tank on a stand, just like other filter types. Inside the tank, there is a pipe at the center, usually made out of PVC plastic. Very old sand filters might have a metal pipe, but that is pretty rare to see.
How does a pool pump work?
When the pump is activated , and the valve is in filter mode, it forces pressurized water into the tank from the top or side. The water is forced through the sand, cleaning it of fine debris, into the bottom of the tank, where it enters the slots on the manifold pipes. The water then collects in and rises through the center pipe. Finally, the clean water passes through the valve and back to the pool.
Where is the filter pipe on a filter tank?
The pipe extends from the diffuser neck at the top of the filter tank down to the bottom, entering a manifold or hub. The hub has a series of slotted pipes that branch out across the bottom of the tank like spokes on a bicycle wheel. There is a valve affixed to the top of the tank that allows you to control the flow of the water through the tank.
How to stop PVC from cracking?
It’s very easy to crack. So, a good rule of thumb is to get a threaded fitting only hand tight and then put a quarter-turn extra using more leverage or a wrench. This technique can help you avoid over-tightening and cracks.
How to minimize spills?
One way to minimize spills is to buy small, single-use bags of DE instead of a big one that might last a whole season or longer . But, the smaller bags are a little bit more expensive.