MEDIA FILTERS

Although a media filter might be easier to use than other filters, you could make the argument that it does not offer the cleanest water possible.
To get water cleaner, you need to replace traditional sand with another type of filter media like zeolite, polyester filter balls or glass.
A glass media filter will perform nearly as well as a DE filter and maintain the ease of use advantages of sand.

MEDIA FILTER FAQS

HOW DO MEDIA FILTERS WORK?

A media filter is comprised of a hollow tank on a stand with a simple vertical PVC pipe stand in the center that extends to the bottom and is fitted into a manifold with slotted lateral pipes extending in a fanned out fashion looking much like wagon wheel.

The tank can be filled with a Pool Filter Sand, Polyester Filter Balls, Zeolite or Filter Glass. Each is a performance improvement with sand at the bottom and glass at the top of the chart.

Water flows through a valve and diffuser at the top, passes through the filter media which captures the debris, and travels through the slotted laterals at the bottom then up through the standpipe and goes back to the pool.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU CLEAN A MEDIA FILTER?

As the filter media gets dirtier, the pressure gauge will rise in pressure. All filters have a pressure gauge for this purpose.
Normal operating pressure depends on your pump size and overall resistance in the system, but most residential tanks will start at between 10-20 Psi and when the pressure increases by 8-10 pounds, it is time to clean the filter.
All filters require cleaning with this pressure rise to maintain proper water flow. Correct flow is the most important thing to remember about your filtration system.
Cleaning a sand filter is known as backwashing.

HOW DO YOU CLEAN A MEDIA FILTER?

To backwash the filter – turn off the power to the pump and reverse the valve, then turn the pump back on. The water flows in reverse, and dirty water is sent out the waste port on the valve. A backwash hose with a clamp is required to direct the dirty water away from your living area.
The valve has a sight glass. Run the pump until the water runs clear in the glass. Shut the pump off, place the valve in the rinse mode. Run the pump for an additional 30 seconds. Return the valve to filter mode and restart the pump.
Sand should be replaced every 3-5 years. Debris will get deep into the sand bed eventually and not come out. This may lead to the use of more chemicals, algae growth and other problems $50 worth of new sand might prevent.
Filters of all types should be chemically cleaned twice per season to prevent the build up of oils, grease and bio-film that will create issues if left to break down.
This debris will not simply rinse away and requires a filter cleaning agent to remove it.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO CHANGE THE FILTER MEDIA?

Sand, polyester balls and zeolite should be changed every 5 years on average. Glass media manufacturers state that replacement is not required. However as stated above, debris will eventually get deep into the bed of media and not come out. The frequency of change is a variable determined by too many outside factors to place a definite time limit on. So, your mileage may vary.

MEDIA FILTER IN ACTION