Cleaning with a Sand Filter

The Sand Filter is one of three filter systems used to clean a swimming pool. All filters clean the particles in the water and filter them out using the skimmer box, while the water flows through the system. The particles are measured through microns; the smaller the micron number, the smaller the particle. Thus, the smaller the micron rating of the filter, the better job the sand filter will do cleaning the water.

Sand filters are said to be the simplest of the three pool filter systems to use. The water flows through the skimmer box, into the filter, and proceeds to run through the sand that is held inside the filter tank. The maintenance of a sand filter is minimal, and you only need to change the sand in the filter every two or three years. All that needs to be done every once in a while is backwashing; considering there is nothing to clean on the filter and it’s not necessary to add anything to the tank. Even though the sand filters have the largest micron readings, those reading will become smaller as the sand gets dirtier. As more particles are caught in the sand, the system becomes more efficient; this cycle happens every time the system is backwashed. Be sure to use the rinse setting when backwashing the filter. After you backwash the system, let the system sit for about 30 seconds before rinsing it; this allows the sand to settle. If this step is skipped, then some of the dirty water may shoot back into the pool.