When it comes to choosing pool filters you need to know the different options that you have available to you. You can find the perfect match for your pool once you know what to look out for.

There are a number of different options when it comes to pool filters. They all have their own functionality, which is why you need to know the facts before you settle on one. Here are the three that you should consider:

• Sand filter: this is one of the original types of filters and it is still extremely popular. The water is pushed through a bed of filtered sand and then removed. The idea is that the water that goes through the top surface of sand is dirty, by the time it reaches the bottom of the sand clean water will have come out. This is also one of the reasons why this filter is a great investment. It is not necessary to continuously change the sand. Only once the sand is extremely dirty, will you need to replace the filter and this can take years to occur. If the filter does get clogged up by dirt for any reason you will see a drop in water flow. Simply backwash the pool and it will be good as new.

• Cartridge filter: if you are looking for a low maintenance filter than this is the one for you. Quite simply this filter uses a mesh like filter material to capture the debris and dirt as the water passes through. They are available in bigger sizes which makes it less likely for them to clog up as easily as the sand might. This means that you want have to do much with the filter to keep it running. The cartridges help the filter to run at a lower pressure than the sand which makes it more economically friendly. It also puts less pressure on the pump and subsequently this will help to maintain the integrity of the pump and filter for longer. In most cases this filter can last between 5-10 years.

• DE Filter: DE (diatomaceous earth) is the fossilized exoskeletons of diatoms. They are used to coat the filter grids that get put into the DE filter. Due to their small size they are able to act almost like a sieve to sift out all of the dirt and debris. When the DE runs out all you need to do is buy more and pour the powder into the skimmer and this will then re-coat the filter grids. The only downfall is that it is not as energy efficient as the cartridge filter and can make for some inefficiency and flow loss in your pool.

Get up-close and personal with the filters

Before you can truly make your decision on which filter you need for your pool, you will need to see them up-close and personal. This is possible when you come to us at Pool Spa and Filtration. Visit our website www.poolspa.co.za to see what we have on offer.