On the old forum the pros and cons of all filters were discussed many times. So, let's start the discussion again. I have sand so I'm biased. Never had anything else. In my opinion, sand is the easiest and cheapest to maintain. However it will miss catching particles that the others will catch. Unless you're a total clean freak sand should be adequate. My water has been totally clear however I do get some fine dust or silt in it once in a while and the solution I've been using for over a year now, add some DE. Silt typically comes from my stream fill water. 9th season now and only thing I replaced was the spider gasket in the multiport valve...once. Sand should last forever. When the pressure goes up some, backwash and you're good as new. Again, my biased opinion.
Al