Pool Filters
This article discusses swimming pool filtration, which applies to every swimming pool, but I will naturally provide any nuances that a Copper / Oxygen pool may have with the three filtration options detailed below.
Bottom Line Up Front: Each filtration system offers different benefits depending on the pool owner's needs for cost, maintenance effort, and energy demands on the pump. The best choice for a Copper / Oxygen pool is a Sand Filter filled with crushed glass. To learn more reasons why, please read this post about crushed glass.
1-SAND FILTERS
Sand filters use either sanitized crushed glass or a special grade of sand to trap dirt and debris as pool water flows through. Over time the collected debris increases the pressure within the filter indicating it needs cleaning. Sand filters are the preferred option for Copper / Oxygen pools.
Positives of Crushed Glass
|
Positives of Sand
|
Negatives of Crushed Glass
|
Negatives of Sand
|
Cleaning: Sand filters with sand must be backwashed every 1-2 weeks and every 4-6 weeks with glass. They also require annual cleaning using a filter cleaner solution.
2-DIATOMACEOUS EARTH (DE) FILTERS
DE filters offer the finest filtration available. They use a powder made from fossilized remains of diatoms (tiny aquatic organisms) that coat grids inside the filter housing.
Positives:
- Superior filtration: DE filters can capture particles as small as 2-5 microns, offering the clearest water of the three options.
- Water clarity: Due to the fine filtration, pool water is typically the cleanest and clearest with DE filters with crushed glass being the closest competitor for water clarity.
Negatives:
- Cost: DE filters are the most expensive option upfront.
- More maintenance: The DE powder needs to be added regularly, and the filter must be backwashed to remove debris, which also wastes water.
- Handling DE powder: Diatomaceous earth can be messy and must be handled carefully, as inhaling it can be hazardous.
Cleaning: DE filters require backwashing every 1-2 months. After backwashing, the DE powder must be replenished. The entire system must be disassembled, and the filter grids thoroughly cleaned at least once a year.
3-CARTRIDGE FILTERS
Cartridge filters use one to several cylindrical cartridges made from pleated polyester or similar material to filter out dirt, debris, and small particles from the pool water.
Positives:
- Filtration: Cartridge filters can capture smaller particles, around 10-15 microns, making them more efficient than sand filters filled with sand.
- Energy efficient: These filters require less pressure to operate, meaning the pool pump can run at lower speeds, which saves energy.
- Less water waste: Cleaning involves removing the filter cartridges and washing them off with a garden hose, so there's no need to use your pool water for backwashing.
Negatives:
- Higher cost: Cartridge filters are usually more expensive upfront compared to sand filters.
- Cartridge replacement: The filter cartridges need to be replaced every 2-3 years, depending on usage and maintenance.
- Weekly maintenance: In a Copper / Oxygen system, pool owners must clean their cartridges every week. Copper kills microbes, algae, and bacteria, but doesn’t dissect them into smaller elements, so they will accumulate more rapidly on a cartridge membrane.
Cleaning: Cartridges need to be cleaned every 2-6 weeks by opening the enclosure and rinsing them with a hose. This becomes weekly for Copper / Oxygen pool owners, which is why this type of filter is discouraged. Annually to semiannually, they should be soaked in a cleaning solution to remove oils and other buildup.
That’s all three filter technologies employed today in swimming pools. There are plenty of things to consider and I hope you found this helpful.