Salt Water Pool Filters

Salt water pool filters are an important part of any pool system and help keep pool water clean, free of dirt and debris and overall enjoyable to swim in. With proper filtration you will remove unwanted particles of all sizes both large and small. After all, nobody wants to be in a pool with particles floating around while they are trying to have a nice relaxing swim. There are three main types of water filtration that all work great with salt water systems. 

Each pool filter type does however have its unique advantages and disadvantages that might be appealing or not depending on personal preference. These variable include up front cost of the unit, maintenance requirements and the overall quality of the filtration. You may find that a sand filter backwash every month is a pain and you'd rather just swap out a new filter cartridge when it gets dirty. We'll take a look at each type below so you can decide for yourself which is the best salt water pool filter for your pool. 

Types of Salt Water Pool Filters

The 3 main types of filters that can be used with your salt system are sand, paper cartridge and diatomaceous earth or D.E. When considering each type of filter they each have their ideal application that they were in essence designed for. There are several variables that need to be considered including pool size, bather load and usage frequency, filter quality, and time required to keep the filter maintained throughout the pool season. 

1. Sand Pool Filters
2. Cartridge Pool Filters
3. DE Pool Filters

1. Sand Pool Filters

A sand pool filter is the most common form of filtration mainly because they are budget-friendly, provide decent filtration and can handle high bather loads. They are incredibly versatile and can be used in almost any application whether it's a hot tub, above ground pool or a large community pool that you would find in a residential complex, hotel or waterpark. They use pool sand as their medium and there are some new alternatives to sand that work extremely well with salt water systems. 

The main drawbacks to sand filters is that they have the lowest filtration of all the filters and require a weekly or biweekly backwash as part of their maintenance. They provide filtration down to 40 microns in size compared to de filters that provide filtration down to 5 microns in size. The upkeep to ensure they operate at peak efficiency includes a backwash which can be time consuming.

2. Cartridge Pool Filters

A cartridge pool filter has gained popularity in residential pools in recent years because of their high level of filtration that includes particles down to 10 microns in size. This puts their filtration about four times better than sand but only about half as good as diatomaceous earth. A cartridge filter uses paper filters that can be cleaned several times before they need to be replaced, similar to a vacuum filter. This ultimately means that cartridge filter maintenance is simple and easy, taking only a few minutes. 

There is no backwash needed which means less maintenance and of course you'd be helping the environment by conserving water that's typically wasted during the sand filter backwash procedure. The units themselves are very easy to maintain and repair but the upfront cost is a bit higher than the other options available. When it comes to salt water pool filters we recommend this type of filtration for its overall quality and level of maintenance.

3. D.E. Pool Filters

A D.E. pool filter is the caddilac of filtration and get their name from the diatomaceous earth powder used for their top of the line filtration. Anything down to the size of about 5 microns doesn't have a chance at passing through a de filter. The level of filtration is unmatched and are used to create some of the cleanest water you'll see in a swimming pool. Any salt water pool system that uses D.E. filtration will create superior water quality with a combination of ultra clean water and soft comfort. 

They do require a monthly backwash and some systems can be a bit complicated for pool owners operate and maintain. In the unfortunate event that you need repairs they are expensive to repair and replace. In recent years there is a push to have them eliminated in some municipalities due to the potential environmental hazard that diatomaceous earth poses.

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Pool Filter Comparisons

The three main types of pool filtration; sand, DE and cartridge each have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. While sand filters are the most common, they do a require a backwash which some pool owners shy away from. DE filters use a fine powder for superior filtration, require periodic backwashing but are generally more expensive that the other options. Cartridge filters are pleated cartridges as the filter media which provides above average filtration. They don't require a backwash but the cartridges need occasional cleaning.

Pool Filter Comparison Chart

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Pool Filters and Salt Water

Any type of pool filter will work wonderfully in a salt water pool. The salt content in the water won't affect the ability of the filter to do it's job on a continual basis. It's very common to find sand a cartridge pool filters used with salt water pool because they are typically used in residential inground and above ground pools. The diatomaceous earth or DE filter is less common and even being phased out in the industry due to it's negative impact on the environment. 

Salt Water Pool Filters FAQs

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