We feel that the cartridge filter is better then sand and D.E. (diatomaceous earth). A grain of table salt is 90 microns . The sand filter will filter down to 30 microns the cartridge cleans as small as 7 microns and the D. E. system will filter down to 5 microns. The D.E. systems filter to a smaller particle but they require much more maintenance then the sand or cartridge filters . This is because every time they are cleaned, they should be soaked in muratic acid, and then sprayed of and more D.E. needs to be added to the filter.
A sand filter is not bad because it is less maintenance then the D.E. system. For those who are on well water, be aware that cleaning a sand filter involves flushing dirt from the sand via water in the pool. This means that if more water is needed after the filter is clean the chemical level of the metals copper and iron, as well as the pH and alkalinity levels of the water have gone up and may have to be treated. When using a cartridge (also called element filter) the only water that is lost is what is in the canister (not enough to add more water) and simply spraying the cartridge with a garden hose should leave the filter clean and ready to put back. This is the best balance between filtration and less work!
Posted in: Swimming Pools