While there are many filters, they all have the same goal, keeping the water in your swimming pool clear and clean, making for loads of safe and fun breaks from the heat. Every pool owner wants to have a safe swimming area, clear of debris and particles that may float in the pool. To do this, you must have a pool filter.

Depending on where you live and the depth and size of your swimming pool, you might have to have a specific type of filter. For example, if you own a very large in-ground swimming pool, you will likely be required to have a filter and pump that runs on a continual basis. Furthermore, it will have to be a permanent fixture.

What types of pool filters are there?

There are three general types of pool filters these are DE, Cartridge, and Sand.

Sand Filter - This filter is just how it sounds. It is created with sand and the water pushes through the sand. The sand works as a catch all to block debris and let the clean water flow through tubes that are near the end of the filter. When it comes to the sand filter the capacity of the filter will tell you how much water it will clean. For example, if you wanted to filter three square feet of water, you would purchase a twenty-four inch filter.

The sand filter has easy maintenance and operation. You are not required to replace the sand very often and the cleaning can be done very easily by reversing the operation of the filter. However, you are probably wondering about the cleaning capabilities. User's testimonials show that this is the least effective filer of all the three main types.

Cartridge Filter - This type of filter is very similar to those you find under the kitchen or bathroom sink. The material in the cartridge is created to block debris and allow clean water to flow into the pool. When it comes to the filtering area, the cartridge has been proven more economical than that of the sand filter. There are two choices of cartridge filters, they are the inexpensive way or the expensive way.

The inexpensive way is generally the way people go when it comes to their filters. While the filters are less expensive, they require more frequent replacement filters. While the expensive way involves more costs, it requires less replacement and lasts for around five years. Cleaning this type of pool filter is relatively easy; all you have to do is hose it down and only about two times a season.

DE Filter - The DE (Diatomaceous Earth) filter, carries specific mined minerals. These pool filters act much in the way as a sieve. It will effectively remove small particles and debris, using grids.

Many people go this route because it can remove even the finest microns. However, it operates at a very high pressure, which could lead to loss of efficiency and water flow.

Summary:

If you have a swimming pool, you need a pool filter to keep your water free from dirt and debris, as well as to keep the water safe and healthy for your swimmers. There are many different pool filters types available and each comes with different performance and filtering specifications.