What's the Best Swimming Pool Filter? / What Filter Should I Get For My Swimmng Pool? / Swimming Pool Filter Recommendations

First, Keep in mind that salesmen usually know only what they have been told by their employers and equipment reps from the various companies. (And salesmen usually push what their bosses tell them to push.) The people at the pool store may never have owned a pool. The pool man you have may only have the information the industry leaders have given in manufacturer sponsored education events. Who do you trust? If it were me, regardless of the industry, the person I want to get my advise from is someone with over 20 years experience installing, servicing and repairing all makes and models of pool equipment, and who has been servicing his own pool accounts for that period of time.

My conclusions are based on over 25 years of experience working with all 3 types of filters, sand, cartridge & D.E. Filters EVERY DAY. I have literally worked with & on, serviced, repaired, ... thousands of each type.

I know the pros and cons of all the types, because I work with them, and on them, for almost three decades. So what are my conclusions? I would not put a cartridge filter in my enemy’s pool. I have integrity, and my reputation is worth too much to do so. Will I use a cartridge filter anywhere? Yes. I would put them in a spa. I would put them in my spa, my best friends spa, … but a 24 sq. ft. D.E. filter is a superior choice for an in ground spa, … if you have the option. No, I would never put a cartridge filter on anyone's pool, ever, with one exception: you are a widow or an orphan, and you have to have some type of filter in your pool to sell the home or it will cost you thousands. Then, if I have a cartridge filter I will GIVE it to them.

Keep in mind that I have had high capacity cartridge filters, that were almost new, given to me, but I will NOT put them in anyone's pool unless they are absolutely without any other option. Also, I will not "Sell" it to them. I will give it to them and merely charge for the installation. I will not have anyone accusing me of selling them a cartridge filter. Yes, I like them that much. LOL

Read the information on the links above for the 3 types of filters and see which one's I recommend for what purposes. Each one has a list of pros and cons. Please read each one FIRST, before making any decisions as to which type to go with.

To Summarize:

Cartridge Filters:

Use only on stand alone spas. These make the pool industry more money than any other item anyone has ever installed in their pool. They can cost a home owner $1200 + every year, MORE than the other 2 types of filters (Replacement elements, filter cleans at $100 a pop, ... all add up. If you want to make me the most money, and the manufacturers the most money, get this one. You will spend the most money, over, and over, and over again. If you just want to help me out, get a sand or D.E. and once a year, just cut me a check for $1000 you'll be ahead of the game, have saved money, if you get the D.E. you will have a cleaner, healthier pool, and I won't have to spend an hour every 2 months pulling apart a filter and spraying mud, muck, bug parts, ... all over my body while I clean it. Plus, you will have still donated to our "Disney World Fund".)

Sand Filters:

Use only in environments where people are likely not to service the pool properly, on time, ... and would destroy any other type of filter because of it. This includes: Forgetful homeowners who regularly have their pool turn green because they forget to put in chemicals. Rental properties where the renters are responsible for pool service / care.

D.E. Filters:

Use wherever people "take care of things" properly. Home owners who are diligent about servicing their own pool or where they have hired a reliable pool company to take care of their pool will find this the best, and lowest cost, option.

FILTER LIFE EXPECTANCY:

Average lifespan on any filter housing is 15 years. Average lifetime on D.E. Filter grids is 5 years. Average lifespan for "Needing" a sand change is 10 years. Backwash valves usually only last around 12 years, if properly maintained, and given that the filters are usually on the end of their lifespan at 10 years, that is usually a good time to replace both the filter and the Back Wash Valve.

Comments