Above ground swimming pools provide a lot of fun for your family. However, they need efficient filters to keep the pool clean by filtering out dirt and other impurities in the swimming pool water. The filters work together with pumps that circulate water through the filters and back to the pool with the dirt remaining in the filters. The major types of filters for above ground pools are cartridge filters, sand filters and diatomaceous earth filters (DE). These filters have their specific characteristics and work in different ways. You can choose the filter to use for your swimming pool by considering the features and characteristics of each filter.

The major difference in above ground pool filters is the type of material they use to trap dirt. Sand pool filters use sand filled pressure vessels to trap the dirt. The pressure vessels contain chambers that have beds of silica sand. The sand particles have sharp edges that work efficiently to separate particles of dirt filtering water in the process. When the swimming pool water passes on the sand, the sand traps dirt and debris and allows clean water to pass through. This process of water filtration will go on until dirt clogs up the sand to the point of not letting water pass. This is when you need to clean the filter. Cleaning the filter involves reversing the flow of water so that the water will knock out the dirt and send it into the waste line. Cleaning the sand filter in this way after a few weeks of using the pool will keep the filter working efficiently.

The other type of above ground pool filter, which works differently from the sand filter, is the cartridge filter. This filter works by using cartridge elements to filter pool water. The cartridge elements are usually made of reinforced polyester. They filter water when they receive water from the pump and they screen out dirt as the water passes through them. After filtering water for a certain period, clogging takes place. Cleaning them is easy for you just have to remove them and wash them under pressurized water with a hose. Diatomaceous earth above ground pool filters on the other hand utilize a mined substance formed by fossilized diatom exoskeletons. These filters are very efficient in getting rid of dirt. DE coats grids inside filter housings and creates a sieving effect as pool water flows through the grids. DE filters trap dust, algae and microbes leaving the pool water sparkling clean. It is important to perform routine maintenance on DE filters so that they can continue working efficiently.

You can wash them by draining clogged DE into the waste line or by reversing the flow of water just like when cleaning sand filters. After cleaning them, you should put fresh DE into the filter housing. Maintaining cartridge filters is the easiest because they have greater surface area than the other types of filters. They do not clog up as fast as the others do and you can clean them very quickly. Cartridge filters also operate at low pump pressures and the pump can therefore last longer when you use this type of pool filter. Knowing this information when using above ground pool filters will help you choose the most appropriate filter for your swimming pool. Although they differ in how they work and in how much dirt they can filter out, maintaining them in the right way will ensure that your pool water always remains clean.

The importance of an above ground pool filters is undeniable. There are many pool owners that know the importance of these. There are many that also make use of many conventional filters to do the job. Therefore you should make your choice when choosing such filters for your pool. (more…)