What are the difference between cartridge pool filters?

A pool filter is an essential component to your pools appearance, hygiene and safety. A pool filter is linked to the circulation system along with the motor and pump. As the water pump circulates water through the pool or spa, impurities are strained by a filter. The filter itself has no moving parts.

There are three different types of pool filters that are available: sand, cartridge, and DE (diatomaceous earth).

Sand Filters: Water from the pool is forced through sand and then returned to the pool. This type of filter is cleaned by what is referred to as backwashing. By reversing the flow of water through the filter, accumulated debris is flushed out. Currently, sand filters are the most popularly used.

Cartridge Filters: With a cartridge filter, water is run through a diaphragm or cartridge of fine, pleated mesh material that filters out impurities. One advantage with a cartridge filter is that to clean it, you can easily remove the debris by hosing it off.

DE (Diatamatious earth) filter: DE filters work similarly to a cartridge filters, but use powder made of fossilized skeletons of tiny plankton, called diatoms, that serve as the filtration medium forming a cake on the filter element. There are two basic types of DE filters: the vertical grid and the spin type.

Vertical Grid Filters: The grids in this type of filter are assembled vertically on a manifold. Water enters the tank at the bottom and flows up and around the outside of the grids. It then flows down the stem of each grid, into the hollow manifold, and out of the filter.

Spin Filters: The spin filter is found in older pool systems, and is considered to be obsolete by today’s filter standards. The grids are wheel-shaped and lined up horizontally. They operate similarly to the vertical grid filter, but to clean them, a crank is turned to spin the grids.

If you are not sure which filter you think would work best for you, consult with Swim Smart Pools and Spas to help you choose the correct model for you.