We are in process of getting bids on a new pool. We’ve noticed that different builders are pushing different filter systems as the “best.” One is touting a sand filter system with crushed glass filter media. Others are touting standard cartridge filters. I’ve heard a sand filter will be less maintenance in terms of cleaning. We live in an area where pool water is not supposed to be discharged into the storm drain. Does flushing the sand filter system require a lot of water? Can I just discharge it onto the ground or will it harm landscaping? Thanks in advance.
Pool filtering options
- Thread starter cybertoad
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 62,717
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome to the forum! 
Sand filters take the most amount of water to waste due to backwashing. It would not be wise to dump on to landscaping as the primary way to dispose of the water. I assume you could have it plumbed to your sewer.
DE filters, the hybrid ones, are not really designed for backwashing but cleaned much like a cartridge filter.
If you go with a sand filter, use sand. The glass media is not proven out to be a wise decision based on feedback on this forum.
If you properly size a cartridge filter, you should only need to break it down and clean it once per year.
Sand filters take the most amount of water to waste due to backwashing. It would not be wise to dump on to landscaping as the primary way to dispose of the water. I assume you could have it plumbed to your sewer.
DE filters, the hybrid ones, are not really designed for backwashing but cleaned much like a cartridge filter.
If you go with a sand filter, use sand. The glass media is not proven out to be a wise decision based on feedback on this forum.
If you properly size a cartridge filter, you should only need to break it down and clean it once per year.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,045
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome! 
Yes, a sand filter seems fairly effortless, but will require more water as you backwash from time to time. That is a valid concern. While we have a fair amount of glass media fans in the group, most agree that glass (or Zeolite) are not all they are cracked up to be. Sand is our "old faithful". Now if you go with cartridge, consider going with a larger filter as well simply to cut-down on the frequency of cleanings required. But at least with cartridge all you have to do is open it up, rinse, then reassemble. No waste. You'll find sand, DE, and cartridge fans just like Chevy, Ford, and Dodge. Each with their own perspective. We have a filter comparison page in our Pool School section you might lie to see as well. Hope that helps.
Yes, a sand filter seems fairly effortless, but will require more water as you backwash from time to time. That is a valid concern. While we have a fair amount of glass media fans in the group, most agree that glass (or Zeolite) are not all they are cracked up to be. Sand is our "old faithful". Now if you go with cartridge, consider going with a larger filter as well simply to cut-down on the frequency of cleanings required. But at least with cartridge all you have to do is open it up, rinse, then reassemble. No waste. You'll find sand, DE, and cartridge fans just like Chevy, Ford, and Dodge. Each with their own perspective. We have a filter comparison page in our Pool School section you might lie to see as well. Hope that helps.
If by chance you are having an autocover put in the new pool, your filtering requirements will be much less. You could go with any of the filters I would imagine then.
Maddie
Maddie
- Sep 23, 2015
- 2,016
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Astral Viron V25
TFP for the most part is in favour of traditional sand. Here in Aussie Ive been poking around for new equipment and it appears the Aussie manufactures and suppliers have almost completely dumped sand in favour of glass. If you go for glass in a media filter make sure it has the same pore size and flow dynamics as sand. If they say it improves flow the pore size may be to large and compromise the filtering capacity.
glass doesn't pass the "new and better" test for me......sand works and has for decades. Not saying it won't eventually be replaced by a superior product but I don't think glass has demonstrated it is in that category.
- Sep 23, 2015
- 2,016
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Astral Viron V25
I hear what your saying Dave and I’m not trying to say glass is better or worse, glass was an option presented to cybertoad and I have experience hear, three times in fact. TFC is maybe biased toward sand to the point I’m reluctant to say I have it or even talk about it. The retailers Ive approached here in Aussie have said if I want sand go to the hardware store, they just don’t supply it here anymore.
I’ve replaced the sand in my filter with ‘fancy, expensive’ glass with better ‘flow properties’ and have reinstalled it. I’m not happy with it but cant entirely prove that the media is to blame. I replaced a mates sand with standard run of the mill generic crushed glass and he swears his pool has never looked clearer.
The re ionisation process for zeolite makes that a no for me and to think a mix of all three is just crazy.
I think moving on that I will go for a slightly oversized media (sand) filter. Previously I was trying to provide better flow dynamics when changing to an eco pump but I think this time Ill go for one size up on the filter, a 25” instead of a 21”.
Having said all that cybertoad is in CA, hot, dry and water costs are high I think so maybe a cartridge filter is a good fit. I backwash maybe 2 - 3 times a year for maybe a minute and then the rinse for 30 seconds, it all depends how dirty your water is. If you use skimmer socks your filter will remain cleaner and go even longer between backwashed.
I’ve replaced the sand in my filter with ‘fancy, expensive’ glass with better ‘flow properties’ and have reinstalled it. I’m not happy with it but cant entirely prove that the media is to blame. I replaced a mates sand with standard run of the mill generic crushed glass and he swears his pool has never looked clearer.
The re ionisation process for zeolite makes that a no for me and to think a mix of all three is just crazy.
I think moving on that I will go for a slightly oversized media (sand) filter. Previously I was trying to provide better flow dynamics when changing to an eco pump but I think this time Ill go for one size up on the filter, a 25” instead of a 21”.
Having said all that cybertoad is in CA, hot, dry and water costs are high I think so maybe a cartridge filter is a good fit. I backwash maybe 2 - 3 times a year for maybe a minute and then the rinse for 30 seconds, it all depends how dirty your water is. If you use skimmer socks your filter will remain cleaner and go even longer between backwashed.
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I think we'll go with the cartridge filter system. Proven technology, not really that difficult to maintain, and easy to replace the cartridges if necessary. Only thing we're still deciding on is whether we want to install a salt generator. Probably yes, because it's just so much nicer to swim in than standard chlorinated pools, even though it will still require adding chemicals periodically.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,402
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
A SWG puts the same chlorine into the pool as other methods.
A SWG pool may need MA to lower pH and a periodic top off of salt and CYA once or twice a season.