The second key to good pool water management is effective filtration. The job of the filter is to remove large and small suspended matter from the water and without an efficient filtration system no amount of chemicals will make the water sparkle.

There are three types of filter used on residential swimming pools - diatomaceous earth, cartridge and sand; by far the most common type used is sand. Sand filters come in different sizes and your filter will have been selected to suit the size of your pool. Typically your pump and filter combination will have been sized to give a pool water turnover period of 6-8 hours, which is why you should run your pump for a minimum of 8 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Specially graded silica sand is the media used to fill your filter and although this will last for years it will become dirty due to grease deposits, which the weekly backwash will not remove. The other thing that can impair the effectiveness of your sand filter is calcium deposits that bind the sand together effectively turning it into sandstone.


filtration tips

Backwash your filter once a week to remove the debris that has been become lodged within the sand bed.

Good circulation will ensure the proper distribution of water throughout the pool. Watch out for dead spots, areas of poor circulation - corners or behind pool steps for example, and take care of these when brushing or vacuuming.