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SWIMMING POOL-SPA FILTER GUIDE, INFORMATION
Swimming Pool-Spa Filter Types
There are basically 3 types of pool-spa filters :
Probably the most important parameter when selecting a pool or
spa filter, is that it is properly sized for the application.
Choose the biggest filter you can afford, you will soon find
out it is a good investment. Choosing a pool-spa filer that
is not large enough to provide the proper filtration will cost
you time, aggravation and money.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Pool-Spa Filter
Diatomaceous Earth Filter, most commonly known as DE filter,
is one of the most efficient pool-spa filters available. It can
catch particles in the range of 3 - 5 microns, much too small
to be seen with the naked eye.
Pool-spa DE filters are made of a "filter element" and a tank. The filter
element consists of a very fine fabric grid, coated with
the actual filter media called "DE". DE is nothing but the
crushed fossilized remains of Diatoms. Diatoms are microscopic
sized, hard shelled creatures covered with sharp spines. Diatoms
are found in both, marine as well as fresh water environments.
To the naked eye, DE looks like very fine white powder,
under the microscope it resembles a sponge.
The DE filter user adds the DE to the skimmer, the DE is then
trapped in the grid inside the DE filter tank. The DE now covers
the filter grid, allowing the pool-spa water to go through, but
trapping particles in suspension in the water. As more and
more particles get trapped in the filter element, the water
pressure rises, while the flow rate decreases. You need to
backwash the filter to keep its efficiency, and the quality
of the pool-spa water being filtered. This is usually done when the
pressure gage reaches around 8 to 10 lbs above the clean
water pressure. When you backwash
the DE filter, the water flows through the filter in reverse,
washing away the particles trapped in the filter element, along with
some of the DE powder. Note that some municipalities regulate
closely the amount of DE being disposed. DE filters should be
thoroughly cleaned at least once a year. If you use soft
swim, or baquacil products (biguanides) in your pool-spa, you
need to clean the DE filter twice a year to prevent it from
clogging up.
The filtration capacity of a pool-spa DE filter is proportional to the
square footage of the active surface element.
Pool Patio and Beyond offers several DE pool filters, one of which should fit your needs. If you are looking for a specific filter that you can't find on our web site, please
contact us, we might carry it but is not yet on our web site, else, we will try to
find it for you.
Return To Swimming Pool Filter Information
Pool-Spa Sand Filter
As the name implies, the filtering media in sand filters is, well... sand. But it is not just any sand it is #20 silica sand,
this is very important to remember when it comes time to change
your filter's sand.
Pool-spa sand filters can trap particles in the range of 30 to 50 microns.
The sand grains, which make up the filter media, have rough edges; these rough edges is what allows the sand grains to trap
particles in suspension in the water, as it rushes around the sand
grains. Given enough time, the sand grains turn less rough,
and more rounded, loosing in this way their ability to trap
particles. At this point, the sand should be changed, this is
roughly about every 5 to 10 years, depending on the use.
There are new products that can be used instead of sand,
these products increase the efficiency of the
sand filter, to the point where they could compete with the DE
filters, in terms of the size of particles that it can trap.
As a general rule, pool-spa sand filters should be backwashed when the
pressure gage shows pressures about 8 to 10 lbs over the clean
pressure reading. the backwash process involves changing the
flow of the water, such that the trapped particles are washed
out of the sand grains, and the filter.
Pool Patio and Beyond offers several sand filters, one of which may fit your pool or spa needs.
Return To Swimming Pool Filter Information
Pool and Spa Cartridge Filters
A fine mesh pleaded material makes up the cartridge. The
cartridge filter assembly could hold one or more cartridges
placed in a tank. The water flows through the filter media
where the particles get trapped. Cartridge filters can trap particles down to 25 microns.
When the trapped particles accumulate on the surface of
the cartridge media, and the pressure gage shows pressures
about 8 to 10 lbs over the clean reading, it is time to pull
out the cartridge from the tank, and washed it, as opposed to
backwashing it, like in the DE or sand filters. However,
every time the filter is washed,, its cleaning ability, and
therefore life, is reduced.
Like with the DE filter, the filtering capacity of the
cartridge filter is a function of the surface area of the
filtering media, which in turn it is a function of the
size, and number of pleads and folds in the cartridge.
Cartridges should be changed every 1 to 3 years, depending
on the use characteristics.
Cartridge filter seem to be the preferred choice for small
pools, as well as spas.
Pool Patio and Beyond offers a variety of cartridge filters to choose from.
Return To Swimming Pool Filter Information
Types of Backwash Filter Valves
There are two types of filer valves:
1 - The Rotary Valve
2 - The Piston Valve
In the process of the filter performing its function,
namely filtering your pool or spa water, particles
suspended in the water get trapped in the filter
media. As more and more particles get trapped, the
efficiency of the filter diminishes, and the quality
of your pool or spa water is compromised.
The purpose of the backwash valve is to allow the user to
redirect the flow of water through the filter, in such
a way that the trapped particles can be flushed out of the
filter, via the waste pipe. Both types of valves have
mechanisms inside that allow them to properly redirect
the flow of water based on the position selected by the
user.
The rotary valve has a lever that the user rotates
to the proper position to select the desired filter
function.
The piston valve has a piston which is raised or lowered
to select the desired filter function.
There is also another type of valve called the multiport
valve. This valve looks and behaves very much like a
rotary valve, therefore, for our purposes, we will treat
it as a rotary valve.
The backwash valve has several positions, here is a brief
description of those positions.
Backwash: The position to use to
flush out, particles trapped by the filter. Make
sure all valves are open, and the waste line free of
kinks, or any other obstruction.
Closed: This position is used
mostly to work on the swimming pool equipment. When in this
position, the flow of water from the pool is blocked. NEVER
turn on the pump when the valve is in this position.
Filter: This is the "normal"
position of the valve, and where it should be most of
the time. In this position the pool-spa water is circulated
through the system in such way that it is purified
by the filter.
Recirculate: In this
position the filter is off line, in other words, the water
is recirculating, but the filter is bypassed, not filtering.
Rinse: Used after you backwash
the filter, it must be rinsed to keep debris from
going back into the swimming pool-spa water.
Waste/Drain: In this
position, the water suctioned from the pool is sent out
straight to the waste line, it never returns to the swimming
pool.
Return To Swimming Pool Filter Information
Pool Spa Filter Clean-Backwash, what is it?
Backwashing a pool filter involves reversing the flow of
water through the filter as to wash away any particles trapped
on the filter media.
Pool-spa water normally flows from the swimming pool-spa, through
the filter, where the filter media traps particles in suspension.
The, now clean water, is directed back
into the swimming pool or spa. As more and more water flows through the
filter, more and more particles get trapped in the filter
media. Eventually the number of trapped particles is large
enough that the flow of water is reduced, causing the pressure
to rise, and the quality of the swimming pool or spa water to suffer;
it is time to backwash.
In the backwash mode, water flows from the pool through the filter
media, but this time in the reverse direction, flushing out the
trapped particles, or at least most of them. This "dirty" water
is not thrown back into the pool, instead it is redirected to the
waste line.
Return To Swimming Pool Filter Information
Pool Filter Clean-Backwash
Backwash your Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Pool-Spa Filter
Make sure you follow the manufacturer's directions when
handling a DE filter.
DE filters should be backwashed when the pressure gage reads
8 to 10 lbs above the clean reading The clean reading is the
pressure reading after the filter has been thoroughly cleaned-
backwashed.
Pay particular attention to the amount of DE that you add
after a backwash. Should you add too little, the grid
will quickly get clogged with dirt, bad news!!. Should
you add too much, it won't take long either for the filter
to get clogged up again.
As stated before, make sure you follow the manufacturer's
instructions, but as a general guideline, this is the
procedure used to backwash a DE filter equipped with a
rotary valve:
- Turn off pump
- Push down on the valve handle, and rotate to BACKWASH,
make sure that the waste line is unobstructed
- Open air bleeder assembly on filter
- Turn on pomp
- Keep an eye on the pressure gage to spot any abnormal
pressure which will indicate a problem. If there is a
problem, turn off pump immediately, find and fix
the problem.
- Run pump until water runs clear.
- Turn pump off.
- Push down on valve lever and turn to RINSE, let run
for 5 to 20 seconds.
Repeat the BACKWASH/RINSE procedure
about 3 times.
- Turn off pump and turn valve to the FILTER position.
- Turn on pump
- Add DE as required by your filter manufacturer, usually
around 1 lb/10 feet square of filter area.
Return To Swimming Pool Filter Information
Backwash your Swimming pool Sand Filter
Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions when
handling your sand filter.
Pool-spa sand filters should be backwashed when the pressure gage reads
8 to 10 lbs above the clean reading The clean reading is the
pressure reading after the filter has been thoroughly cleaned/
backwashed.
As stated before, make sure you follow the manufacturer's
instructions, but as a general guideline, this is the
procedure used to backwash a sand filter equipped with a
rotary valve:
- Turn off pump
- Push down on the handle, and rotate to BACKWASH,
make sure that the waste line is unobstructed.
- Turn on pump
- Keep an eye on the pressure gage to spot any abnormal
pressure which will indicate a problem. If there is a
problem, turn off pump immediately, find and fix the problem.
- Run pump until water runs clear.
- Turn pump motor off.
- Push down on valve lever and turn to RINSE, let run
for 15 to 30 seconds.
Repeat the BACKWASH/RINSE procedure
about 3 times.
- Turn off pump and turn valve to the FILTER position.
- Turn on pump
Return To Swimming Pool Filter Information
Clean your Swimming Pool or SPA Cartridge Filter
Cartridge filters are not backwashed, instead, they are taken
out of the tank and hosed clean; usually with a pressure
washer.
Cartridge filters should be cleaned when the pressure gage reads
8 to 10 lbs above the clean reading. The clean reading is the
pressure reading after the filter has been thoroughly cleaned.
This is the general procedure used to clean a Cartridge filter.
- Turn off pump
- Remove filter lid
- Hose filter thoroughly
- Replace filter in tank
- Replace filter lid.
- Turn on pump
Return To Swimming Pool Filter Information
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