|
 |
How do Pool Filters Work?
Owning a swimming pool can be something of a double-edged sword
– a pleasure for the cool relaxation it provides, but a burden
because of the constant maintenance required. If the problem
isn’t regular checks of chlorine levels, pH and alkalinity, it
could just as easily be the ongoing physical clean-up you need
to perform. Most people rely on pool cleaners for the lion’s
share of this work, and with good reason – scavenging robots can
be surprisingly effective at cleaning the walls, surface and
floor of any pool. Even with so many safeguards in place,
however, you still need internal systems to pick up the slack. |
|
|
Pool filters are
essential to reliable operation. The truth is that no matter how
hard we try, it is inevitable that dust, dirt and debris will make
their way into the water of any swimming pool. Leave such unwanted
pollution untreated and it’s likely to accumulate rather quickly,
creating cloudy water and ideal conditions for an algae population.
It is for this reason that every pool sold in the United States
comes with a filtration system attached. Which variety you opt for
can be as much a matter of personal preference as it is necessary.
How do pool filters work? The basic operation is the same across the
board – such filters operate by pumping your swimming pool’s water
through some kind of barrier to trap particulates in the solution.
Nearly every pool will completely cycle its water through the
filtration system several times a day, and some especially busy
municipal pools are required to keep the water cycling more than
once an hour. Choosing which filter to buy requires that you
understand something about the benefits, cost and maintenance
regimen associated with each. Knowledge such as this can help you
make an informed decision about how much commitment you really want
to offer this machine.
There are three major types of pool filter. These are sand filters,
DE (diatomaceous earth) filters and cartridge filters. Each is
designed to perform essentially the same function, but they get
there via different processes. Sand is by far the easiest to own and
maintain – and not coincidentally, the easiest to understand.
Filters such as these come in tanks that use simple graded sand to
catch anything larger than a given size as it passes through.
Depending on the type of sand used, that size is generally in the
range of 40 microns – well above the threshold for visible dirt and
dust.
Cartridge filters are probably the most popular breed, as they offer
considerable more flexibility than sand without bankrupting you in
the process. The mechanism here is not unlike a coffee filter –
water is forced through a paper “fan” under pressure, and the
cartridge blocks anything above a set size threshold. Such items can
vary, but most fare little better than sand when it comes to
particulate size – the very best cannot block anything below 25
microns or so. The great advantage to paper cartridges, however, is
that they can be removed and cleaned without backwashing, saving you
time and energy.
The most effective filters are without question the DE filters –
some advocates have called them the HEPA filters of pool ownership.
Specially treated earth made from extremely fine aquatic fossils
(diatoms) will filter out far smaller particles than any of the
other varieties, often creating a consistent obstacle for anything
above 5 microns. The difference may be measurable not just in the
clarity of the water, but in its fungal population as well. The
trade-off for DE filters, of course, is that they require more
frequent backwashing, a fact which leads many homeowners to
alternate solutions.
No matter which type of pool filter you choose, it’s important to
stay ahead of the maintenance regimen from day one. Problems of
algae and fungus inside swimming pools have a tendency to become
acute and chronic astonishingly quickly, so it may be worth it to
hire additional aid if you cannot make the requisite daily checks.
The good news is that regular work and dedication should keep your
pool filter operating at peak efficiency for many years to come. |
