If you are installing a new pool this year and you want to enjoy swimming in crystal clear water, choosing the right filter size is of paramount importance. Some people make the mistake of economising when it comes to buying a filter but this is one area where spending a little more money can really pay dividends in the long run. To make sure that you get it right first time, consider the different types that are available and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Pool Filters for Fibreglass Pools: Making Your Choice
Whether you live in a big city such as Toronto or a more remote part of the country, there are likely to be three main types of filter available from local dealers. Each type has its pros and cons, which we evaluate below:
- DE Filters – Utilizing diatomaceous earth as a filter medium, these powerful filters are capable of filtering contaminants as small as 3 microns in size from your pool water. There is no doubt that they are the most technologically advanced and powerful of the three main choices but, on the flip side, they are also the most expensive. You should also bear in mind that DE filters require more maintenance than the other two options discussed below. They need to be backwashed in the same way as sand filters but whereas you only need to replace the medium in sand filters every few years, you need to add more diatomaceous earth to your DE filters every time you perform this procedure.
- Sand Filters – Simple to use and very low maintenance, sand filters are a good choice for fibreglass pool owners who want to spend as much time swimming and as little time on maintenance tasks as possible. As you might have already guessed, the filter medium used in these filters is sand. You can purchase pre-washed pool filter sand very cheaply almost anywhere in the country and as it only needs replacing every 5 to 10 years, maintenance costs for sand filters are exceptionally low. On the negative side, they only filter contaminants down to a size of around 20 microns, making them less efficient than their DE counterparts.
- Cartridge Filters – This option is favoured by many owners of fibreglass pools, owing to the fact that cartridge filters are easy to maintain and capable of providing excellent filtration when diatomaceous earth is used as a clarifying aid. Cartridges can be rinsed out when they become clogged and will probably need to be replaced every couple of years, although this will of course depend on how often you use your pool and how dirty the water gets. Cleaning a cartridge is simpler than backwashing a sand filter but you do need to consider the cost of replacement cartridges, which are more expensive than sand, when making your choice.
Size Is Important!
When it comes to filtration equipment for fibreglass pools in Toronto and elsewhere, size, or more accurately, capacity, is most definitely important. You need to make sure that your filter can turn over the water in your pool completely in around 8 to 10 hours. For example, if you have a pool with a maximum water volume of 20,000 gallons, you should purchase a filter that is capable of filtering 2,000 to 2,500 gallons per hour. Flow rates are normally quoted in gallons per minute (gpm) so you should be looking for a filter that can handle from 33-42 gpm in this example.
For more information about fibreglass pools and the different types of filters available, please feel free to call us at any time.