What Is A Sand Swimming Pool Filter

A sand filter is basically a large tank filled with pool grade sand which is coarser than regular play sand.

What is a sand swimming pool filter.

Silica sand is the oldest of the filtering medias. As you can see from our chart above it will take care of most suspended solids in the pool water. If you have a swimming pool filter then the likelihood is that it is a sand filter. In a sand filter back washing occurs once water flows out through the waste line instead of back into the pool cleaning the filter.

A sand filter is ok for a pool that gets little use and is chemically maintained at all times. Unlike a de filter nothing more is required than simply turning the valve to backwash and that s it. As the name suggests a sand filter uses sand to filter the impurities out of the water. The cleaned water then flows back into the pool out through the bottom end of the filter.

Number 20 silica sand will filter down to 20 microns. Sand is put in the filter vessel and the water is forced under pressure through the bed of sand. They are usually two to four feet in diameter and look like a big ball. Many swimming pool filters use sand to trap unwanted debris and keep it out of the pool water.

Pool sand is a very effective filter but it s also a bit pricey. Because play sand also known as sandbox sand is less expensive than pool sand pool owners are often tempted to try using it in the pool filter. Water enters the tank through an inlet at the top and gravity pulls it downward removing impurities that get lodged in the sand. These filters are generally cheaper than cartridge based alternatives and have lower overall maintenance costs.

These are the most commonly used and top rated pool filters. Not all sand is created equal and if you are going to replace your old media with sand silica sand is the way you need to go. The flow is reversed and all of the debris is blown out. It is designed to be used in swimming pool filtration systems.

A pool sand filter is a popular choice for both home and commercial swimming pool owners. Very easy to backwash. This pool filter sand also features a tan color. As this roughness is smoothed out as stones in a stream wear smooth over time your filter s efficiency goes down.

This roughness is what makes the sand efficient at filtering out the particles of dirt in your water. Filter sand has been ground to a size of 45 to 55 mm in diameter and is very rough when new.