There are two main types of filters that are commonly used in residential swimming pools, sand filters and cartridge filters. Below we will go over some of the pros and cons of each to help you understand which pool filter is best for you.

1. Sand Filters

Pros:

Cost: When it comes to overall cost effectiveness, sand filters will usually be less expensive when compared to cartridge filters.

Low overall maintenance: Backwashing is the primary ongoing maintenance requirement for sand filters and is a relatively simple task to perform.

Dealing with larger debris: Sand filters are great at being able to handle larger debris without experiencing clogging issues.

Cons:

Filtration: Sand filters provide relatively coarse filtration, capturing particles in the range of 20-40 microns.

Regular and ongoing backwashing: While as mentioned this isn’t a big deal, sand filters do require regular backwashing to maintain their effectiveness.

Sand replacement: The sand in the filter needs to be replaced give or take, every 5-7 years which does add to the maintenance cost.

2. Cartridge Filters

Pros:

Improved filtration: Cartridge filters offer a much finer filtration when compared to sand filters, typically capturing particles as small as 10-15 microns.

Energy-efficiency: Thanks to their lower resistance to flow, cartridge filters should result in lower energy usage by the pool pump.

Easy maintenance: Cleaning or replacing the cartridge is simple and does not involve backwashing.

Cons:

Higher cost: Cartridge filters usually have a higher upfront cost compared to sand filters.

Frequent cleaning/replacement: Cartridges need to be cleaned or replaced more frequently compared to the media in sand filters.

Limited debris capacity: Cartridge filters can clog faster with large debris and may require more frequent cleaning. So, there you have it. If you have any questions regarding which filter would be right for your pool, the team at Hollandia Pools and Spas is more than happy to help!