What Are The Real Differences Between Sand, Cartridge and DE Pool Filters?

The pool construction is often described as the foundation of every pool, but as we all know a simple foundation is not enough to keep things functioning. This is where the pool equipment comes into play. As we are all aware the water in the pool must circulate through the filtration system in order to remove any traces of impurities (dirt, bodily fluids etc.). During a normal operation of the filter system, the water from the pool flows through one or more floor drains located on the bottom of the pool and through one or more skimmers that draw water from the surface of the pool. In this way the water is kept constantly clean. Pool filters are responsible for the mechanical removal of impurities from the water in the pool and they are an essential part of each pool. Without pool filters it is almost impossible to keep the water in a good condition for more than two weeks. With the advance of technology several different types of pool filters are now available on the market and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Most of the pool filters are sand filters. These filters have a large tank which is usually filled with quartz sand that can attract dirt in the best way because of its specific texture. Pool filters are mostly made of materials such fiberglass, reinforced polyester etc. During the process of filtration, the dirty water from the pool comes in through the inlet pipe filter, through which the dirty water flows evenly over the entire surface of the filter. While gravity pulls the water down through the sand to the bottom of the filter, sand collects tiny particles of dirt and attracts litter. The filtered water flows out through the outlet of the pipeline which is located at the bottom of the tank. After a while, the accumulated dirt and residues of impurities in the sand slow down the water flow. The pressure of the filter gives us a clear signal that there is an internal blockage in the filter caused by the dirt and that it is time to clean the filter. In order to do that, a person who takes care of the pool should set the 6-way valve on the filter from filter mode to flush mode.

Instead of sand filter, some pool system use cartridge filters. In such filters dirty water is contained in a cartridge that is made from corrugated paper or polyester fabric. In order to clean this system, simply remove the cartridge and rinse it with a regular water hose.  Cartridges usually last for more than 5 months.

According to many experts the so-called DE pool filters are the most efficient filters today. They use a pressure gauge to signify a need for back-washing. With the help of a DE powder the pool is thoroughly cleaned and even microscopic particles are eliminated from the water.

Which of these types of pool filters is best for your depends on your requirements. If you are looking for a lasting solution you can choose the sand filter. If you want to save some money then you should take cartridge filter into consideration. Finally, if you are looking for the safest and most efficient filter you should purchase Diatomaceous Earth (DE) pool filter.  

The Homeowners Guide to Buying A Pool Heater

A pool heater is an absolutely crucial requirement if you plan on enjoying your pool for the longest possible amount of time through a season. Pool heaters do cost a little more energy each year but being able to enjoy your pool for just a few extra weeks or potentially even a month later into the season makes it well worth it. It's also extremely nice to have more temperature control for the cleanliness of your pool and for making it a hospitable environment when the weather doesn't cooperate. Here the top tips for buying a pool heater the first time.

1.       Pick the type that best suits you: there are several different options available when you purchase your first pool heater. You can consider the use of a solar pool heater for example, an electric heat pump, and gas pool heaters. Ultimately the choice is up to you but each one has its own distinct advantages.

2.       Ask around and see with the neighbors are using: quite often the type of pool heater has a lot to do with the climate that you are living in. Solar heaters might not work as well in certain conditions and you may want to opt for something closer to a gas heater especially if you want to enjoy a greater level of temperature control.

3.       Consider the cost savings: Solar heating is the cheapest being it runs of when the sun is out and heating the water in the panels, electric heaters can get quite expensive because they draw power from your home. When the price of gas goes up, the cost of a gas heater can raise. Ultimately, these are all options you need to weigh before you select the right heater for your pool.

4.       Consider the cost savings: if you have a large pool of a solar array might be substantially more expensive because of the area that the heater will have to cover. Ultimately some forms of heaters might be less expensive to heat larger areas whereas other types of heaters might make more sense for smaller pools and climates.

When in doubt it's much easier to consult a professional at your local pool supply store. You may also want to speak directly to the company that installed your pool to see if they have any recommendations for heating their models. 

Five Top Reasons to Buy A Variable Speed Pool Pump

A variable speed pool pump offers a number of distinct advantages over a single or two speed pool pump.  For pool owners that are interested in maximum cost savings you absolutely need to consider getting a variable speed pool pump and for the following reasons.

1.       The high-quality magnet motor: the motor that comes in variable speed pool pumps is roughly the same type of motor that you would find in a reliable electric car. As a result of its platform which is built on efficiency and reliability you can get access to quite possibly the most efficient and reliable pumps in the pool industry. A motor failure with a pump is absolutely catastrophic and can cause a lot of lost time and damage to your pool with a quality motor you can avoid these inefficiencies and downtime substantially.

2.       Changes in flow rate: the ability to adjust the flow rate into your pump can help you maintain the circulation in your pool and ensure that you can actually keep it cleaner. A basic rule of thumb in pool circulation is that slower is better and this is because components have less of a chance of experiencing any friction or wear when pumps are kept running slower.

3.       Amazing efficiency benefits: because the pump can run at a slower rate or at the exact rate that it needs to keep your pool circulated and clean you can see amazing benefits when it comes to energy efficiency and for the amount of your own personal energy that you have to put into cleaning your pool and maintaining it.

4.       Much quieter: variable speed pumps are much quieter because they have to vibrate far less than other pumps.

5.       More advanced diagnostics: simple pumps just don't have any type of diagnostic or safety systems involved. With a variable speed pump you are always covered for emergencies with several failsafe’s put into place to reduce the chances of pieces falling into your pool for example or the pump staying off for too long. 

The Upside to Salt Chlorination versus Chlorine Chlorination

Water disinfection is a term used to describe the process of removal or deconstruction of pathogenic microorganisms. During this disinfection and sterilization of the water, the microorganisms lose their colloid balance which results in their elimination. Pools are places where many microorganisms dwell and procreate. Some of them are harmless, but some of them can be potentially very dangerous for the health of both children and adults because they can lead to infections and diseases. If they are not eliminated, they can easily transfer from one person to another. Organic matter makes the water in the pool look dirty. There are many ways in which people can disinfect pool water and one of the most popular is the process of chlorination.

Chlorination is a reliable, cost-affordable and very efficient method of water disinfection. This process has a destructive effect on cells found in all organisms especially in microorganisms because they can’t stand even small quantities of chlorine. The success of this process depends on many factors such as: the type of chlorination, the biological characteristics of the microorganisms, water temperature, pH value of the water and few other factors. Very often people use two well-known methods – salt chlorination and chlorine. Although they are both efficient the truth is that salt chlorination comes with much more advantages compare to the use of chlorine alone.

Salt chlorination is a process that modifies conventional table salt into sodium chloride. With a system like this you can expect lesser amount of chlorine in the water, but this doesn't mean that the effects of purification and disinfection of the pool will be reduced. In addition, this method uses special chemicals that are not harmful for humans, but very efficient when it comes to elimination of microorganisms and algae. At the same time they provide ideal balance of the pH value in the pool which is extremely important for those who care about their skin health and health in general. Furthermore, water that uses salt chlorination is much softer for your skin compared to chlorine. Chlorine can cause negative effects in people who have sensitive eyes, hair and skin. Even if you use a pool which uses a system like this on a daily basis you won’t have problems with irritations and itching.

As we have mentioned before the level of chemicals in pools like these is very low and people don’t need to keep and use hazardous chemicals close to their pools. In other words, salt chlorination is an eco-friendly process. Even the smell that usually appears with the use of chlorine will be gone and you won’t have to inhale that unpleasant odor.

Pool maintenance can become a real nightmare in case you use chlorine, but this is not the case with salt chlorination. Pools using this chlorination are able to clean most of the water on their own. Users don’t have to clean the pools constantly and occasional check and cleaning of the water sanitation is more than enough to make sure that everything is working in a perfect order. 

What Size Pool Pump Do I Need?

Determining the proper size pump you need requires a little research . Luckily, you came to the right place.

1. Determine the number of gallons of water in your pool. One way to do this is by multiplying length times width, times average depth, times 7.4.

2. How many hours per day do you intend to run your pump? You should run your pool long enough to turn over all the water through your system at least once per day. Most people will run their pool between 8 & 10 hours per day.

3. Next, check the size of your pool plumbing. Maximum flow rate through 1 ½ “ piping is 44 gallons per minute. Maximum flow rate through 2” plumbing is 73 gallons per minute.

Now that you have this information you can determine the time your need to run your pool in order to circulate all the water correctly. Your can divide the number of gallons by the number of hours you intend to run your pool. Divide that number by 60 (the number of minutes in an hour) and you will know the flow rate you need.

Pool Size - number of gallons of water in the pool
Turnover Time - time to move entire capacity of pool through filter
Flow Rate - desired flow rate in gallons per minute

35,000 divided by 8 hours divided by 60 equals 73 GPM
35,000 divided by 10 hours divided by 60 equals 58 GPM
24,000 divided by 8 hours divided by 60 equals 50 GPM
24,000 divided by 10 hours divided by 60 equals 40 GPM
18,000 divided by 8 hours divided by 60 equals 38 GPM
18,000 divided by 10 hours divided by 60 equals 30 GPM

If you have a 25,000 gallon pool and want a turnover rate of 8 hours, then you will need a pump with a flow rate of 52 gallons per minute.

If you have a 35,000 gallon pool and want a turnover rate of 10 hours, you will need a pump with a flow rate of 56 gallons per minute.

Example: 18,000 gallon pool with a run time of 8 hours needs a minimum flow rate of 38GPM.
A Hayward super pump 3/4hp has an average flow rate of 47gpm so this would work well on this pool.

8,000 – 18,000 gallon pools the following pumps are recommended:
Hayward Super Pump 3/4 HP
Hayward Max-Flo 3/4 HP
Pentair Super Flo 3/4 HP
Sta-Rite Dyna-Glas 3/4 Hp

18,000 – 30,000 Pools the following pumps are recommended:
Hayward Super II 1 Hp
Hayward Super Pump 1 HP
Pentair Pinnacle 1 HP
Pentair WhisperFlo 1 HP
Sta-Rite Duraglas 1HP

30,000 – 40,000 gallon pools the following pumps are recommended:
Hayward MaxFlo 1.5 HP
Hayward Super II 1.5 HP
Pentair WhisperFlo 1.5 HP
Sta-Rite Duraglas 1.5 HP

For larger pools please contact one of our representatives. The Pool RX will continue to update this post, as we receive new information from vendors and other industry professionals. Our goal is to keep our valued customers informed so they can make the best decision. Check back next week when we will cover what swimming pool filter system you might need.