One of the major aspects of your pool is it’s circulation and filtration system. You cannot leave your pool stagnant or it will turn into a pond. This is why we have pool pumps along with chlorine dispensers or salt systems. You also may choose to put in supplemental disinfection systems like Ozone or UV systems. However, the part of the pool that does the heavy lifting of keeping things clean is actually the filter. In this article, we’ll explain the three major types of pool filters and will also cover the advent of the glass filter media pool.

Three Main Types Of Filters

There are three major types of pool filters on the market. It wasn’t long ago that traditional sand filters were restrictive on vital pool operations. Now, with the advent of the glass filled sand filter, there is new excitement and interest by pool owners to elect for a sand filter.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

First there’s the diatomaceous earth filter or DE filter.  This filter uses diatomaceous earth powder as the media to be filtered through.  This gives you the highest clarity of water of any filtration type.  The drawback to DE is the DE powder itself.  You have to dump DE into the skimmer and hope it coats the filter properly. When it doesn’t you need to disassemble the filter, clean it and put it back together again.  Also, when you backwash a DE filter you need to have a dedicated backwash pit or at least a place to backwash where you don’t mind the DE powder building up.

Cartridge

Next there’s the cartridge filter.  This type of filter uses pleated fabric cartridges as the means to filter the water.  These filters have a high flow rate and relatively good filtration.  Cartridge filters have become the standby for many pool builders due to the fact you don’t have to backwash these filters.  The filter does need to be taken apart and cleaned however, and depending on the dust and dirt in your area this can be once every six weeks or once every six months.

Sand (Option For Glass Filter Media Pool)

The sand filter used to be the most commonly used filter.  As the name suggests the filter is filled with sand and the water is forced through the sand to filter out the impurities in the water.  These filters have a relatively low flow rate and poor filtration.  However, they are simple and you rarely have to replace the sand.  These are still commonly used on commercial projects since the maintenance and care is so straight forward.  

Where To Buy Glass Media For Pool Filter

Those three filter types used to be pretty much the only options on the market. One of the most exciting new filters is based on a sand filter tank, but instead of filling with sand, fill with glass filter media. By having a glass filter media pool you can have better filtration than sand and a high filter flow rate.  The filter being filled with broken glass may sound crazy at first, but please note you can’t just use any broken glass to fill the filter.  You must use manufactured filter glass.

Glass Filter Media Pool Benefits

By having a glass filled sand filter, you will see many benefits. First, you can maintain flow rates required for spa jets to operate correctly. Next, you allow your pool’s water features to flow smoothly. Lastly, your pool’s cleaning systems will be able to operate properly.  The typical sand filled filter is quite restrictive on the system.  

Glass Filter Media Pool Summary

You’ll notice after making the change to glass media your pool stays cleaner and the pump doesn’t have to work as hard.  A well operating filter is necessary to keeping your pool clean and glass filter media pools provide high water clarity with the ease of sand filter backwashing.