Did you know that filtering your pool water alone has a major impact on the quality of your swimming experience? Filtration retains pollutants and insoluble particles, it also facilitates disinfection, enabling products to act more quickly and effectively. As a result, chemical treatments are only 20% responsible for maintaining balanced water! Be sure to choose the right filtration system, and know how to use and maintain it. There are 3 different types of filters most commonly sand, cartridge or diatomaceous earth filters
Sand Filter
Sand Filters are common here in Arizona they clean pool water at a rate of 20-30 microns. Because it’s so hot and the amount of chemicals we need to use to keep our pools clear during the summer months, sand filters are probably the most convenient for the avid pool DIY resident. Pro’s – helps turn over your water for clarity and chemical purposes. Con’s – You have to backwash, if you aren’t an avid DIY homeowner, I would not recommend this filter. It involves knowing your equipment to an extent and knowing how to use it. Also, you have to have a place to backwash, not all residences have a place to dump pool water weekly.
Diatomaceous Earth Filter (DE)
Diatomaceous Earth or D.E. filters are considered to be one of the most effective filter options for trapping dirt and debris in water. DE Filters can trap as small as 2 microns of particles are aren’t visible to the human eye. There’s a larger filter area capability which makes for less backwashing. When a DE filter traps debris, it removes the organic material that bacteria feeds on – eliminating their food source. DE filters off the highest quality filtration of any pool filter on the market. Con’s – 1 of the more expensive filters on the market, compared to Sand or Cartridge.There’s more 
upkeep than the other 2. They also require teardown and cleans every 6 months to inspect the grids and clean all the grids. The bottom line is that DE filters provide the best overall performance but the costs and maintenance needs to be taken into consideration.
Cartridge Filter
Cartridge Filters are a great option for pool owners! If you want something with very little maintenance and easy cleaning, they have a greater surface area than sand which means they clog less and are easier to maintain – they need to be cleaned at least 2 times a year, sometimes more dependent upon the environment. Unlike Sand Filters & DE Filters, they never need to be backwashed. They filter 10-15 microns, which is smaller than the sand filter. They can also trap finer debris like mold spores. They are also energy efficient, you can use lower pressure and run at lower speeds, which can cut the cost of energy. The water savings is up to 92% because you never have to backwash. Con’s – They can be more expensive than sand filters and may need to be cleaned more than DE dependent upon their usage and environment, but, the savings in water and energy can offset the investment.
