View Full Version : New Member: Pool Filter: Sand vs DE
mnittler
09-08-2012, 09:55 AM
The pool installer is recommending the DE filter. I have never seen a commercial pool use DE and there must be a reason. He says that the DE has better filtration but I am thinking that just back washing the filter and putting it back in operation is pretty easy vs having to pour DE in the filter each time it is backwashed (also having to have DE on hand). Pro & Cons anybody. Love them or hate them after the new wears off? Anything wrong with just a plain old sand filter? I stayed at a hotel this past weekend and peaked at the pool filtration equipment thru a crack in the fence and I saw a chlorine generator (so must have been a salt water pool), UV sanitization system, and a big old sand filter. Pool floor was little blue tile and I could see the grout lines between the tiles on the bottom of the pool so it must have been pretty clear.
PoolDoc
09-08-2012, 10:24 PM
If you get an OVERSIZED sand filter, and run your pool on low speed 24/7, you'll get water clarity as good as with a DE filter, but with far less maintenance.
Tell us your pool gallons before you buy the filter, and we can size it for you.
mnittler
09-09-2012, 12:12 AM
28,000 gallons
PoolDoc
09-09-2012, 10:16 AM
30" filter; 60 GPM flow rate.
*IF* your pool has no 'features', the 1HP 2 speed Whisperflo pump would perform extremely well for you on low, and would backwash acceptably on high.
http://www.pentairpool.com/pdfs/whisperDS.pdf
http://www.a1poolparts.com/-strse-612/Pentair-Whisperflo-Pool-Pump/Detail.bok
You could match a WFDS-3 or WFDS-4 with a TR-100 filter, and run on low speed, except when backwashing or vacuuming.
Filters:
http://www.a1poolparts.com/-strse-1500/Pentair-Triton-II-Fiberglass/Detail.bok
http://www.a1poolparts.com/-strse-765/Hayward-Pro-Series-Side/Detail.bok
mnittler
09-10-2012, 11:04 AM
I went back an looked at the proposal again and I had made a mistake on the pool size. It will be an 18,000-20,000 gallon pool instead of the 28,000. Can you recommend the correct size sand filter for this size? I will have either the variable speed or the 2 speed pump installed. I have not been given the option for the 2 speed pump but that looks to be less of a problem in the long run (less electronics and just good ole mechanical timers and relays).
PoolDoc
09-10-2012, 04:18 PM
WFDS-3 + TR60 or TR100. You'll get better clarity and fewer backwashes with the TR100
CarlD
09-10-2012, 06:59 PM
While I'm a happy sand filter owner, the answer really has two parts:
1) Which ever filter you get MUST be properly sized and not too small for your pump.
2) After proper sizing, personal preference is really the key. You can get excellent results with both.
My dad ran with a DE filter for 15 or 20 years (I don't remember and he's gone 10 years now). He was happy and had good results with little work. I have a sand filter and have great results with little work.
We also have contributors who swear by their cartridge filters. It's all about what you prefer. It's not that the builder is wrong...technically. But Ben's suggestions of an oversize sand filter, running on low speed, with a bit of DE in it, will give you just as good results as a DE filter.
mnittler
09-10-2012, 07:21 PM
I have now sent in a request to the pool builder for an over sized sand filter and he came back with the TR-140 which is bigger yet than the above mentioned TR-100. He pointed out that if they install the Valet 3 cleaning system (which the pool installer is going to warrantee the nozzles for life) that sand would be entering the zone changing mechanism and cause premature wear on those parts. The zone changer does not have the installer lifetime warrantee. I guess all the more reason to go with a Polaris 280 instead with just a Polaris warrantee. Any automatic cleaner any better than the other for use with a sand filter? Does anyone know the different energy requirements for using something like a Valet 3 and a Polaris?
mnittler
09-12-2012, 04:44 PM
When I was asking the installer about the sand filter he indicated that the sand filter has to be back washed at least once per week where a DE is only backwashed once per month. I guess that would depend on how dirty your pool was but that would make a difference in the amount of water & chemicals thrown away. Any experience one way or the other. Number of times you backwash and with what type of filter?
PoolDoc
09-12-2012, 09:12 PM
You use less water with DE.
But, DE filters have to be manually opened and cleaned at least 1x per season. If you go with DE, make sure you get a filter you can manage. It takes 8 hands to re-assemble some models ;) .
..... It takes 8 hands to re-assemble some models ;) .
lol :D
I had to laugh because I have a DE filter (Hayward Pro Grid 6020) and it does take a little practice taking it apart for cleaning and reassembling (I do this at the end of every season and have gotten pretty good at it;) ).
That said, I like my DE filter. Keep in mind though this is the only filter I've used. It was installed in 2004 when we had the pool installed; our first and only pool, btw. So I really can't say if I would still like it better than a sand filter.
It does a great job keeping the pool clean. Once spring clean up is done I usually only have to backwash/recharge with DE once during the season (early May to early Oct here). This season after spring clean up I haven't had to backwash at all.
Some don't like to handle DE powder. I don't mind so much; I just make sure I'm not inhaling it when recharging the filter.
In terms of expense to maintain, I would think sand would be cheapest, followed by DE, then cartridges being the most expensive.
It's probably more important that filter/pump be sized correctly than whether you choose sand or DE.
Watermom
09-16-2012, 08:41 AM
When I was asking the installer about the sand filter he indicated that the sand filter has to be back washed at least once per week
You do NOT have to backwash a sand filter once a week. You only need to backwash when the filter pressure rises 8-10psi over clean filter pressure. I only backwash a handful of times the entire summer.
CarlD
09-16-2012, 05:21 PM
I only back wash when my pressure rises noticeably.
You do NOT have to backwash a sand filter once a week. You only need to backwash when the filter pressure rises 8-10psi over clean filter pressure. I only backwash a handful of times the entire summer.
I guess I should have specified this in my post, but I also backwash when pressure rises 8-10psi over clean pressure. I guess this has been an "extra clean" year as I haven't had to backwash all season.
Brysz
09-17-2012, 03:06 PM
If you get an OVERSIZED sand filter, and run your pool on low speed 24/7, you'll get water clarity as good as with a DE filter, but with far less maintenance.
Tell us your pool gallons before you buy the filter, and we can size it for you.
Question...you mentioned low speed. My return jet has so much pressure I cant hold my hand in front of it. Could this be a reason for my poor filtration? Thank you...
PoolDoc
09-17-2012, 10:22 PM
My return jet has so much pressure I cant hold my hand in front of it. Could this be a reason for my poor filtration?
Very possibly. Complete the Pool Chart, and we'll be able to make a better guess:
Pool Chart Entry Form (http://goo.gl/cNPUO)