Types of swimming pool filter media

Filter Media Type

How It Works

Benefits

Areas to Consider

Sand

Uses specialised sand to filter dirt and debris as water passes through the grains. Suitable for commercial and domestic pools.

Cost-effective, low-maintenance, durable, and long lifespan. Requires only periodic backwashing. Widely available.

Only filters particles 20-40 microns in size. Smaller particles like bacteria (<10 microns) can pass through.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Uses fossilised diatoms in powder form to coat filter grids, trapping impurities in a fine layer.

Captures fine particles as small as 2-5 microns. Provides superior filtration, ideal for high-usage commercial pools.

High initial cost, needs replacement every 3-5 years, and DE powder must be handled carefully due to health risks.

Cartridge

Uses pleated synthetic fabric to trap particles as water flows through. Common in residential pools.

Filters down to 10 microns, easier to maintain than sand and no backwashing needed.

Best for smaller pools, not ideal for high-flow commercial systems. Requires cartridge replacement every few years.

Zeolite

Uses a porous, honeycomb-like structure for molecular sieving of impurities.

Traps particles as small as 2-5 microns. Eco-friendly, reduces chemical use, and performs ion exchange to remove pollutants like ammonia.

More expensive than sand filter, may cause water cloudiness, and needs periodic cleaning despite no backwashing.

Glass / Activated Filter Media (AFM)

Uses recycled glass with a negative charge to trap and absorb fine particles, filtering down to 1 micron.

Eco-friendly, longer lifespan, requires less backwashing and offers high-level filtration.

Higher upfront cost, may not be compatible with all pumps, and requires more planning for implementation.