It might be the middle of winter, but we’re thinking warm thoughts as we’re preparing for the NorthEast Pool & Spa Show January 28 through 30th in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In honor of this event, we’re taking a look at different pool filter media options. When choosing which filter media is right for your water, there are a few things to consider:

• What is the product made of? Is it safe? Is it sustainable?
• How much does it filter? The human eye can see down to about 35 microns. Any filter media that doesn’t filter to that level causes clarity issues with your water.
• How easy it is to use? Heavier choices may be more difficult to use, especially when filtering commercial pools that require a significant amount of filter media.

You can learn even more about what makes a good filtration media in our free e-Book: A World of Filtration Experience.

Pool Filter Media Options

Recycled Glass

• About recycled glass filters: As the name suggests, this filter media is made from 100% post-consumer container glass. It is refined to a point where there aren’t any sharp edges or dust.
• How much it filters: 40 microns down to about five microns, so you might be able to see some impurities in the water

Sand

• About sand filters: The sand used in a pool filter is #20 silica sand that’s approximately 45 to 55 millimeters.
• How much it filters: It’s designed to trap particles in the 20- to 100-micron range. When it’s at its most efficient, you won’t be able to see particles in your pool. However, when it’s not working as well as it can, your pool will still show some particles. The more the filter collects dirt, the more effective it becomes, so you might actually see improvements over time.
• Sand filter concerns: This filter often becomes mudballed, which is when it contains small clumps of oil gunk. It can also become channeled, meaning water runs straight through without being filtered. And it’s probably not your best option if you have hard water because it calcifies with calcium deposits, turning the sand inside into sandstone.

Cartridge Filters

• About cartridge filters: This type of filter is made from spun polyester. It’s pleated and wrapped around a heavy plastic or PVC core.
• How much it filters: Similar to sand, it traps dirt and particles of 25- to 100-microns in size. This means you might have some clarity issues with your pool.
• How long they last: Cartridge filters can last anywhere between one and five years, depending on the size and type of debris it has to filter.

Diatomaceous Earth

• About diatomaceous earth filters: Diatomaceous earth has a very small particle size, a high porosity, and crystalline structure, making it an excellent filtration medium for many applications, including pool filters.
• How much it filters: Diatomaceous earth filters are the most efficient type of all previous options. It traps particles down to an impressive three to five microns, so your pool will be crystal clear.
• It’s natural: Your family is safe from dangerous contaminations when you use Diatomaceous earth filters. Should there ever be a tear and you find DE particles, you can feel comfortable knowing your family will not get sick from exposure.

DicaPool: A Lightweight, Perlite Pool Filter Media

DicaPool is a perlite pool filter media. Perlite is a popular choice for many filtration applications because the crushed, expanded perlite particles present a maze of microscopic pathways that remove impurities.

Specifications

Filtration level: Down to 3 microns

Mineral: Perlite, potassium aluminum silicate

Physical form: Dry powder

Particle shape: Semi-polyhedral and plates

Color: White

Specific gravity: 2.3 to 2.4

DicaPool Pool Filter Media Advantages

• Like diatomaceous earth, it can filter down to an impressive three microns, well below what the human eye can see.
• This swimming pool filter media removes impurities at a very high filtration flow rate, helping your filtration system run efficiently.
• Perlite filters weigh up to 50% less than other types of filter media. For example, 1/2 pound of perlite is equal to one pound of diatomaceous earth. This is especially advantageous for commercial pools where large amounts of pool filter media need to be used and stored.
• It can be used as a direct replacement for your diatomaceous earth filter medium.
• It is natural and chemically inert, so no colors or odors are transferred to your swimming pool filter.

Find us at the NorthEast Pool & Spa Show

We’ll be there sharing more information about how mineral pool filter media is best. If you can’t come to meet us in person, our customer service representatives located at our plants are standing by, and our technical experts are anticipating your call. Call us today at 866-728-3303 for your free sample and to see for yourself what makes Dicalite Management Group a customer-first industrial minerals company.

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