The common sand filter for pool filtration has been used for years and is a staple in the pool industry. The filters themselves don&#;t change much, expect for things like ClearPro Technology, but the media inside does.
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For years the standard media that goes in a sand filter is... you guessed it SAND. Over the years there have been changes, fads, improvements; however the one that seems to have stuck is recycled glass media.
Sand will filter to roughly 30 microns.
Some glass media manufacturers state that the glass will filter down to 5 &#; 10 microns which is less than a cartridge filter. We aren&#;t sure about those claims, however it does filter better than sand as the sand is negatively charged and allow smaller particles to cling better than the sand.
Slight edge to Glass Media
A swimming pool services company will sell sand for roughly $10 and glass media for $25 &#; $40; both per 50lb bags.
Glass media since it is finer will only require roughly 50% of the filter capacity to be filled.
Doing the math, Sand is more affordable.
Sand media needs to be changed out every 4-6 years depending on the water and debris load that is going through the filter.
Glass media claims to last forever, which I doubt, however we have seen glass media system that are over 10 years old and still performing.
Glass Media is far superior... as a result might take the edge in price if you plan to stay in your house a while.
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Sand will require longer backwashing to clean the dirt out of the system as there is more volume of media to go through.
Glass media will backwash quicker as the material is lighter and less dense, so it floats better, resulting in faster cleaning. Faster cleaning also means less water usage.
Glass Media is the better option for ease of backwashing.
Glass seems to be the winner in all basic categories except in price, which makes sense. Better product = more money.
If you plan on staying with the house and pool for more than 6 years, glass media might the choice as you will not have to pay to replace it again. Sand media will need replacing and if you use a swimming pool services company, you will also have to pay for labor.
Health Benefits
Glass media filters offer an ultra-fine filtration that removes particles up to 3 micron in size, resulting in crystal clear water. As compared with traditional sand filters, which only remove those particles above 10 micron. Due to this electrostatic mechanical filtering process, you will save on chemical usage as this removes most bacteria growth in the filter. Using less chemicals is also gentler on the skin and eyes, giving you a cleaner, healthier pool. In fact, having a glass filter can reduce your chemical usage by up to 50%!
Cost Benefits
Glass media filters can last up to 3 times longer than traditional silica sand. Sand filters usually have a life expectancy of less than 5 years, whereas glass media filters can last longer than 10 years. Not only this, but the overall maintenance cost can be far less than a sand filer. There are no pre-coats required and no separate tanks, plus you will not need to re-change the filter every 2 years like other traditional filters. The other savings you can expect from a glass media filter come from the water and electricity usages. Glass media filters can go quite awhile between backwashing cycles and the backwash duration is short, saving up to 40% of water through fast backwashing and saving you time and money on water costs. Also, due to the low-pressure loss in a glass media filter, you can save on power usage and electricity costs too. This is why an investment like a glass media filter, will pay off in the long run.
If you are looking for a new experience in your own backyard, something that make you feel secure in your family&#;s safety whilst also enjoying fresher, cleaner water, then a filter change may be the right option for you. You will notice the difference, and you can feel sure that this investment will pay off in the long run. Many glass media filters are also 100% recycled and environmentally friendly, just another benefit of switching from the traditional sand filters to the more advanced glass media filter.
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