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17 July 2012

Why using sand to clean your pool is a good idea

By Martin Wilkins


If you have an above ground or in ground pool at your home then you already know the importance of a good pool filter. A reliable easy to use pool filter can not only make pool maintenance much easier but save money as well.

The filtration system is the most vital system for keeping a clean and healthy pool. Without well circulated water your pool is in danger of becoming a breeding ground for harmful bacteria as well as have unsightly water.

Stagnant water is a prime breeding ground for all sorts of nasty bacteria and for this reason a good filter is required. The ability of the filter to cycle the water in your pool is critical to keeping the water clean and fresh. No one wants to develop a skin problem from poorly filtered pool water and as a responsible pool owner is your duty to be sure you keep as clean a swimming environment as possible.

One of the best options to filter your pool is a sand filtration system. No matter if you are building a new pool or buying a replacement filter a sand system is easy to use and simple to install while still providing superior durability as well as an economical choice.

While there are many different models and sizes of above ground sand filter and some can be quite expensive. For the average backyard pool there are many affordable makes and models from which to choose.

When choosing a sand filter for your pool keep in mind the sand that is used in that filter is not any ordinary sand that we are used to seeing on a sand box. The sand in a sand filter is specially processed and graded to be a uniform size of about fifty five millimeters in size. This uniformity and particular size is what makes the sand such a good filtration media.

A further advantage to using a sand filter is the sand will increase its ability to capture impurities as it is used. While this may seem a little strange it is this quality of the sand filter that allows it to remain effective and economical. When properly used a sand filter can use the same sand filtration media for up to five years without needing to change it.

Every sand filter is equipped with a pressure gauge that allows you to monitor your filter media and know when it is time to clean the sand. Once the filter pressure reaches the correct range you will need to run the backwash cycle the sand to clean it.

One thing that is very helpful is to mark the pressure level of the filter when it is clean in order to be able to know when the sand needs to be cleaned again. The sand in a pool filter will usually need to be cleaned once the pressure reading increases by 8 to 10 psi above the clean pressure reading.

You clean the sand in a sand filter by using the backwash system that is built into the filter. Usually you only need to move a lever on the valve system and it will set the filter to backwash and automatically clean and flush the sand making it ready to continue keeping your pool clean.

With proper care and use the sand in your filter should be able to last up to five years and provide outstanding service. It is usually a good idea to limit the amount of oily tanning lotions people wear while in the pool as this can degrade the efficiency of the sand and require faster replacement of the sand filter media.

A well maintained sand filter for an average size pool should only require cleaning two or three times a year unlike many other types of filters that require changing cartridges or adding new diatomaceous earth to keep the filter working properly. This makes a sand filter much easier to maintain and use while saving money at the same time.




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