There are essentially two common types of filters sold in Australia, sand and cartridge. Sand filters are still the most commonly used filters in Australia. Robust, durable and low maintenance, sand filters can also be filled with different filtration media such as Zodiac Crystals (glass media) to provide deeper, more effective filtration. Alternatively, Zodiac cartridge filters use less water and filter finer particles than sand media filters. Cartridge filters also require less water flow and less energy to effectively filter your pool
Generally, a cartridge filter is a cylindrical tank that houses a removable pleated filter element, which is where the water is filtered. To decide whether a cartridge filter is right for your situation, check out the pros and cons below.
Pros of Cartridge Filters
Takes up less physical room.
Doesn’t require somewhere to backwash.
Filters to 10 microns
Saves Pool water.
Cons of Cartridge Filters
Need to replace worn filter cartridges and Oring roughly every two years.
Need to deep clean cartridges 2 times a year. May need a second cartridge while deep cleaning to keep pool running
If choosing a media filter for your pool, you’ll also be faced with choosing a media type. The two most common media types include sand, glass.
Sand: Sand media is very common as it is affordable, readily available and easy to use. Sand filters remove particles as small as 20 microns.
Glass: Glass media has environmental and sanitary benefits over sand media, and clogs less than sand, too. It typically comes in two grades, course and fine, and requires both to work effectively. Glass filters remove particles as small as 5 microns.
Pros of Media Filters
Less ongoing costs, no replacement filters to buy every 2 years
Less maintenance, backwashing is often monthly and takes less work than hosing cartridge elements
Glass media filters can be used with mineral magnesium pools
Cons of Media Filters
Backwashing uses Pool water.
Larger footprint than cartridge filters.