Zeobrite or Sand?

My pump currently has Zeobrite and it's time to replace it. Is sand or Zeobrite better to use?

With very few exceptions, sand doesn't ever have to be replaced.

Some of the Zeobrite claims seem very doubtful to us. Here's the list from their website:

• Provides Superior Water Clarity <= We've seen no evidence that this is true.
• Lowers Total Operating Cost <= We've seen no evidence that this is true.
• Cuts Backwashing up to 50% <= We've seen no evidence that this is true.
• Reduces Odor and Eye Burning <= We've seen no evidence that this is true -- except on a temporary basis. It has this effect for the first few days it's used..
• Environmentally Safe, All Natural <= True of sand; we don't know if it's true of Zeobrite.
• Replaces The Sand In Your Sand Filter <= D'oh!
• Keeps Your Pool Sparkling Clear, Naturally <= We've seen no evidence that is more true of Zeobrite than sand.
• Saves Water, Energy, Labor and Chemicals <= We've seen no evidence that this is true.
• Easy To Install, Works In All Sand Filter <= D'oh!

About the most we can say for it is, it doesn't appear to be any WORSE than sand. (That's not true of the cellulose products: avoid them!) But, they claim it doesn't have to be replaced. Why are you replacing it?

I've personally always had a poor opinion of the product, for two reasons.

First, when they first came to market some years ago, they were making a big deal about the product (which is technically a "zeolite" - Wikipedia article) removing ammonia and chloramines. Now, it's possible to do this with a zeolite . . . but they have to be regenerated for the zeolite to CONTINUE working in this way. So, they were selling the product based on a feature that lasted a few days.

Second, while it's difficult and expensive to prove some of the claims made for various pool products, it's not very difficult or expensive to prove whether Zeobrite works as well as they say. All they had to do is buy two turbidimeters (~$1,000 each) and set up to Intex pools with identical pumps and filters. Cloud them up with something -- phosphate removers would do nicely -- and let the systems run, recording improvements in turbidity every hour. The whole project could be done for under $10,000 and would PROVE whether their product is superior. They spend WAY more than that on advertising. But, they haven't done it.

So, I suspect they haven't done it, because they're afraid the results wouldn't be very helpful to their salesmen. Naturally, that's only a suspicion on my part; they haven't come and told me that.

I've used both sand and zeolite in my sand filter, and I really don't see any difference in water quality between the two. I used sand for the first 5 or 6 years, and then when I replaced my filter I started it back up with zeo. I'm equally happy with them. I don't have a problem with going back to sand, but for now the zeo is in there and working fine....

The main difference is the price. Sand is much less expensive!