Selecting the right filter media for a particular pool can save time and maintenance headaches down the road.<\/p>\n
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| Water \u00a0 clarity is a crucial aspect of pool maintenance, whether a job site involves \u00a0 a small family pool or a huge commercial vessel.<\/p>\n But experts agree that there\u2019s no \u201cmagic bullet\u201d when it comes to filter \u00a0 media \u2014 each type has its ups and downs, and is ideally suited for some \u00a0 situations while potentially disastrous in others.<\/p>\n Here, veteran service technicians and scientists share their perspectives on \u00a0 selecting filter media, and walk through the process of assessing a pool\u2019s \u00a0 filtration needs.<\/p>\n Sand<\/span><\/strong> Like many tried-and-true technologies, sand filtration works as well as ever \u00a0 in a limited range of circumstances \u2014 but as today\u2019s pool circulation systems \u00a0 have grown more complex, and filtration expectations more stringent, it\u2019s no \u00a0 longer the most efficient option available.<\/p>\n Still, sand is widely used in commercial pool systems \u2014 particularly those \u00a0 with relatively slow circulation rates. In the 1950s, when the pool industry \u00a0 was still in its infancy, many public pools used rapid-rate sand filters, \u00a0 which filtered water through a bed of sand with a gravel substrate. This \u00a0 system was soon made obsolete by high-rate sand filtration, which uses much \u00a0 smaller sand particles and no gravel. Thus, most of today\u2019s \u201csand filters\u201d \u00a0 are more precisely termed \u201chigh-rate sand filters.\u201d<\/p>\n These filters typically use sand particles between 0.018 in. and 0.022 in. In \u00a0 size \u2014 often called \u201c#20 standard silica sand\u201d \u2014 though some operators \u00a0 substitute other media such as zeolite, or a mixture of crushed glass and \u00a0 gravel. Material at this level of fineness can usually entrap particles \u00a0 between 20 and 100 microns in size.<\/p>\n This might sound tiny, but sand actually misses many particles that would be \u00a0 caught by more modern filters.<\/p>\n Operators who choose sand filtration are often motivated by the desire to \u00a0 keep costs down, or simply by the knowledge that the pool\u2019s bather load isn\u2019t \u00a0 particularly high. In some cases, this is a sensible decision. Another inconvenience of sand filters is that they must be backwashed \u00a0 frequently \u2014 the exact timing varies according to factors such as bather load \u00a0 and flow rate, but most systems require a backwash approximately once per \u00a0 month. In addition, the effectiveness of a sand filter can drop drastically \u00a0 if the sand isn\u2019t replaced at least once every five years. This process can \u00a0 get fairly involved \u2014 it entails scooping large amounts of sand out of the \u00a0 filter, finding a place to dispose of the material, then refilling the filter \u00a0 with an even layer of clean new sand.<\/p>\n In short, sand filters are best suited for applications where low cost is a \u00a0 top consideration, bather loads are fairly limited, and yearly \u201crefreshes\u201d \u00a0 are acceptable to both the site operator and the service tech.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n This effectiveness comes with a price, though. First, DE is toxic to humans, \u00a0 which means it\u2019s crucial to wear facial protection to prevent anyone from \u00a0 accidentally inhaling or swallowing the substance. Care must also be taken to \u00a0 ensure that the powder doesn\u2019t contaminate nearby chemicals or equipment, \u00a0 where it can cause corrosion or other unwanted reactions.<\/p>\n Because of concerns like these, many cities and counties also have \u00a0 regulations against disposing of used DE in the street, or even down public \u00a0 wastewater lines.<\/p>\n These restrictions have led many techs to develop workarounds. Supporters of \u00a0 DE recommend disposing of used media in the customer\u2019s yard (after securing \u00a0 permission, of course) where it acts as a fertilizer for plants. Another \u00a0 option is to use catch basins, which allow water to drain away from the DE, \u00a0 which can then be thrown into the trash.<\/p>\n Still, cleanup and disposal of DE can be nearly as messy as cleaning a sand \u00a0 filter \u2014 or, in a way, even more so, given the media\u2019s toxic nature. And DE \u00a0 filter\u2019s require more backwashing, experts say.<\/p>\n DE is ideally suited for pools with high bather loads where pristine water is \u00a0 a major priority. Maintenance won\u2019t be a cinch by any means, but proper care \u00a0 will ensure effective filtration of most particles, even at high flow rates \u00a0 and temperatures.<\/p>\n Cartridge<\/span><\/strong> Though they don\u2019t catch particles quite as tiny as those caught by DE \u00a0 filters, cartridge filters are more efficient, especially in pools with \u00a0 relatively low bather loads and flow rates. In these conditions, a cartridge \u00a0 filter with a footprint of a few square feet can filter a volume of water in \u00a0 the range of 500 square feet; far more than a sand filter of the same size.<\/p>\n Techs also report that these filters tend to be resistant to breakdowns and \u00a0 serious clogs, and are much easier to clean than sand filters.<\/p>\n And unlike sand and DE, cartridges don\u2019t require backwashing or regular media \u00a0 replacement. Instead, all a tech needs to do is remove the cartridge from the \u00a0 filter tank and hose it off; or, in some cases, dip it in a mild muriatic \u00a0 acid solution to remove particularly stubborn particles.<\/p>\n The downside is that if this cleaning isn\u2019t performed regularly, cartridge \u00a0 filters have a tendency to clog, especially in pools with high bather loads, \u00a0 techs report.<\/p>\n Thus, cartridge filters are best suited for applications with low to moderate \u00a0 bather loads and water volume, such as residential pools that see usage a few \u00a0 times a week. If simplicity of maintenance is a high priority, a cartridge \u00a0 system may be ideal.<\/p>\n Source: Ben Thomas- Pool and Spa News | 1.27.2012<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Selecting the right filter media for a particular pool can save time and maintenance headaches down the road. Water \u00a0 clarity is a crucial aspect of pool maintenance, whether a job site involves \u00a0 a small family pool or … Continue reading |