Pool filter technology
Are you the proud owner of a garden pool or are you planning to become one?
If it is your dream to become one, you will need:
- a suitable location in the garden for your pool including accessories
- a precisely fitting pit (we can do the digging for you)
- a lot of water
In any case, you have come to the right place here at Poolstark.de .
A pool filter system is fundamentally important so that the water becomes and remains clean, pure and crystal clear.
The pool filter technology removes any kind of contamination from your water.
Common misconception
"A sand filter system pool is operated exclusively with sand as the filter medium".
This is not the case because the term sand filter system has become a standard term.
Specifically and correctly one would have to say: Pool filter system with filter medium sand (or glass, or another filter medium).
The following applies to selecting the right filter pump:
Don't skimp on investment costs
Trying to save on investment costs when purchasing a sand filter system pool would be counterproductive and a completely wrong approach. In terms of operating costs, it actually makes sense to spend a few euros more. For the sake of the environment, we want to use as few chemicals as possible and not waste energy unnecessarily.
To keep the quality of the pool water clear and clean, the water must be circulated several times a day. This is the only way to remove dirt and grime from the pool water.
Recommended manufacturers of pool sand filter systems & accessories
bacon
One of the leading manufacturers is the German brand Speck.
The sand filter system is one of the decisive factors in terms of water quality and cleanliness. A good reason to access high-quality components.
The perfect coordination of the individual modules gives a filter system from Speck the title of premium class , “Made in Germany”.
Midas
In accordance with current market needs, the German company Midas offers outstanding quality. It is considered the oldest manufacturer of 6-way valves and swimming pool equipment in general.
To name just a few points of the delivery program:
- Valves
- Filters & Pumps
- Pool cleaning
- Swimming pool equipment
- Pool lighting
- spare Parts
Fluidra/Zodiac
This Canadian-based manufacturer of extensive pool accessories is mentioned here because you can find and purchase everything from them, from the smallest screw to the robot pool vacuum.
He sells innovative, ultra-efficient pool cleaners for perfectly clean swimming pools.
What contaminants turn the clear pool water into a dirty mess?
Possible and frequently occurring contaminants can be:
- Algae (green algae, black algae, lichen)
- Hair
- dandruff
- Leaves of trees and bushes
- fats and oils
- Dust
- Pollen
- dead flies/insects
- weather-related dirt from:
Roofs, facades, balconies, terraces, paving stones
Would you like to splash around, swim or just cool off in such a polluted pond that is poorly cleaned for reasons of cost?
Of course not. You don't have to, because your pool filter system takes care of the cleaning work.
Building a pool sand filter system
The components are:
- circulation pump
- Reusable valve
- Container for the filter (filter housing)
- Filter medium consisting of glass, sand or another material that is rather insignificant and not worth mentioning
Just like the human heart pumps our blood through our veins, the pool pump ensures constant movement, i.e. circulation, of the pool water.
The pool water is sucked in by the pump
The pool water flows through the multi-way valve, which regulates the flow direction of the water, into the filter tank. From there, the pump pushes the water from top to bottom through the filter medium.
Depending on the pool size, water volume and pump performance, this process must take place several times a day.
See also:
Constant speed pool pump or frequency controlled?
In times of energy savings there is only one right consideration. This is: Frequency controlled pump.
Clear advantages are:
- individual adjustment of the circulation performance
- With high pump performance, better backwashing/dirt removal is achieved
- Better water quality is achieved with lower filter performance in Eco mode
- Very quiet operation at low power, suitable for night operation
- Long service life because the pump is never in full operation
Saving electricity with a frequency-controlled pump, is that possible?
There is an energy-efficient, magnetic permanent motor built into the pump. Thanks to its variably adjustable speed, the intensity of the filter and backwashing can be precisely adjusted. Power only when it is actually needed, i.e. when backwashing.
Good to know:
The slower the water flows through the filter medium, the better the filter result will be.
Conversely, the speed at which the cleaned water is backwashed into the swimming pool must be as high as possible so that the dirt is completely flushed out.
See also:
Filter media
In addition to less relevant filter media, two main filter materials have become established:
- Filter sand
- Filter glass
Filter sand is the most commonly used. It consists of a special quartz sand with a grain size of 0.4 to 1.2 mm. The suitable grain size can be found in the manufacturer's information.
Rule of thumb:
The coarser the sand due to its grain size, the less filtering effect it has. The smaller the sand grain size, the higher the risk that sand particles will get into the pool, which is often perceived as unpleasant.
Filter glass pool as a filter medium
In addition to the classic variant of water filtering with quartz sand, the better solution is clearly filter glass. It delivers the best results in terms of cleanliness and sustainability.
The main feature of the filter glass is its smooth surface. This is responsible for ensuring that even small particles are reliably filtered. As a welcome side effect, the uncoated white or green glass prevents the formation of germs and bacteria.
Advantages of filter glass pool
The list of advantages of filter glass is extensive:
- Longer service life (up to 10 years, sand filter max. 2 to 3 years)
- better water quality
- fewer and shorter backwashing processes
- no clumping/crusting
- prevents the formation of a biofilm
- saves energy and reduces the use of chemicals, thus also operating costs
- lighter and quantitatively less material than quartz sand
This information refers to the comparison with quartz sand. Please note that the two different filter media must not be mixed. Refer to your pool's operating instructions to see which filter medium is approved or recommended.
Determination of the ideal operating time of the pool filter system
Two values are necessary to calculate the performance of the filter system:
- the volume of the pool
- the pump throughput of the sand filter system
Calculation of pool volume
Assuming your rectangular pool is 2m wide, 4m long and 1.20m deep, the formula is:
2m x 4m x 1.2m = 9.6m³. This corresponds to a volume of 9,700 L. They have to run through the filter system to be cleaned.
For a round pool that assumes a radius of 2 m and a depth of 1.2 m, the following calculation applies:
Pi (3.1414) x Radius² in mx 1.2 m = 15.1 m³, that is 15,100 L that the pump has to handle.
Determine pump throughput
All you have to do is trust the manufacturer’s information. This value indicates how much water is pumped through the filter system and cleaned per hour. If you cannot find the information anywhere on the filter system, please contact the manufacturer.
How many operating hours does the pool pump have to complete per day?
Since you now have both required values available (pool volume and pump throughput), it is easy to calculate the pump performance:
(2 x volume in m³)./. Pump throughput in m³/h = running time in h
If electricity costs are not that relevant for you...
... or you simply want to avoid the calculations, you can use estimated values:
- Small pool: 2 - 3 hours
- Medium pool: 4 - 5 hours
- Large pool: from 7 hours upwards
You can also use your personal perception and leave the assessment of the water quality to your judgment.
Monitor pool water and pool area
Therefore, always keep an eye on your pool and its water. It is also worth taking a closer look at the situation directly around the pool. It is predominantly warm and humid in the pool area. These are ideal conditions for all kinds of vermin and insects to lay their eggs there.
Especially in summer times when there is little rain, there is a high risk that vermin and insects will use your pool water to survive .
Bugs in or around the pool
If you notice an accumulation of bugs in the water or on the edges of the pool, this is a sure sign that something is fundamentally wrong.
This is usually due to inadequate filter performance.
Tip
The longer the pool filter system is in operation, the clearer and cleaner your pool water is. Conversely, this has its price, which is reflected in correspondingly higher operating costs.