Pool filters: types and nuances of choice

If it is planned to install a pool in the arrangement of a summer cottage, then you should think about an appropriate filter for water purification. The selection of the right option at the design stage of the tank will increase the duration of the pool operation and reduce the cost of water disinfection.

The purpose of the filter for artificial reservoirs is to combat water pollution - it is more efficient than using nets or garbage overflow devices. Filtering devices purify water from various types of natural and mechanical impurities. They also cope with the unpleasant odor that appears in the pool due to the active multiplication of bacteria due to the heating of the water under the influence of the sun and atmospheric phenomena.

The installation of a filter for treating pool water is also necessary to maintain the sanitary and hygienic condition of the bowl. Such equipment provides users with a comfortable environment when taking water procedures, preventing contamination of the body with stagnant products. These are modern devices that are designed to improve the quality of water, they prevent the development of infectious and skin diseases.

As a rule, pool cleaning equipment is often produced as an independent unit. It consists of a special water intake chamber and a filter unit. Due to this arrangement, it is possible to maintain the required level of water purification during the entire operation of the filter. At the same time, the dimensions of the device are selected strictly taking into account the type and size of the pool.

Each such purifier has its own characteristics and operating principle.

The principle of operation of a standard fixture is simple: dirty or stagnant water is pumped into the water intake chamber by means of a special pump. In it, it undergoes primary purification using chemical reagents. After that, the collected volume of water is passed through a system of filters, carrying out mechanical cleaning. The water is cleaned of solid impurities and microorganisms and only then flows back into the pool.

Disinfection of water is provided by circulation and purification systems. It is especially true during periods of stagnation. However, the cleaning efficiency is governed by the type of built-in filter, as well as the speed of the cleaning process. According to generally accepted sanitary standards, its frequency should be 2-3 times a day, while the frequency of taking water procedures does not matter.

Mixtures. Various raw materials are used as filter filler: from natural to synthetic. In this case, the filler can be not only one-component, but also combined. For example, one type of mixture is diatomaceous earth, which includes diatomaceous earth, mountain flour, infusorite earth. It is a loose sedimentary rock that looks like cement powder. The composition differs in that after being purified by it, the water is enriched with silicon.

In contrast to this mixture, when performing a chemical purification, water can pass through several filters.The schemes are different and in some cases allow you to achieve enriched water with oxygen.

Reagents kill germs and bacteria. Among these materials, chlorine, bromine and iodine are particularly prominent. However, the use of chlorine is associated with an unpleasant odor. The skin after chlorinated water will be tight and dry.

In addition, the use of chemicals can create toxic compounds, which include, for example, chloramine. To remove it during water filtration, an integrated purification system is used.

Boron is second only to chlorine in terms of cost. It destroys fungus, swamp odor, viruses, while not affecting the hardness of the water. However, for proper cleansing, its dosage should not be exceeded.

Flocculants are used in pool cleaning. These drugs deliberately increase the size of the boron particles so that they can precipitate. These reagents deal with the clouding of the liquid inside the reservoir.

The use of ozone, ultraviolet radiation, silver and copper also has its own characteristics. For example, exceeding the dosage of ozone in the purification system can harm the health of bathers. Installing a lamp is an alternative to chemical mixtures. However, it only works well in clean water. Copper and silver ions work by means of electrodes and prevent the pool from turning into a swampy lake with algae.

Copper, like flocculants, acts as a coagulant. However, such systems do not allow the abandonment of chlorination.

Today, manufacturers offer to the attention of buyers a lot of different cleaning devices that are suitable for the care of domestic water bodies of stationary, frame and inflatable types. They can be classified by the method of purification, as well as by the type of filter material.

According to the principle of operation, the devices can be:

• electrophysical;
• chemical;
• mechanical;
• combined.

Electrochemical type pool water filters work by ionizing silver and copper, as well as ultraviolet radiation and ozone. Radiation and ionization are recognized as a fairly effective water filtration system for artificial reservoirs. They are characterized by a high level of cleaning, but they are expensive, which forces the buyer to look for more acceptable options for cleaning devices for their pools.

Chemical analogues work at the expense of chlorine, bromine and iodine. The reagents of such equipment are not always safe for pool users. In some cases, water purified in this way leads to allergic skin reactions, which is especially dangerous for allergy sufferers and children.

In addition to them, a mechanical device is a popular type of filter for a pool today. In most cases, such equipment is distinguished by its simplicity of design, compact dimensions and reasonable cost. This equipment is effective in cleaning a tank with a total area of ​​up to 10 m2 - it filters out large and small debris, removes microorganisms that provoke water bloom.

By the type of installation, filters for the pool can be hinged and ground. The first varieties are bought mainly for frame and inflatable tanks with a volume of up to 10 cubic meters. m. Usually attachments are attached to the pool frame. Ground-based analogs are installed near an artificial reservoir. They include a control panel and transfer pump.

By the type of filter component, mechanical devices are divided into three types:

• sand;
• cartridge;
• diatoms.

Such a device is characterized by coarse water purification. Externally, it is a closed structure with two openings for water supply and drainage. Inside the body is the cleaner itself, which is used as quartz or glass sand. The thickness of the filter layer can be different - this is due to the cost of the model: the more expensive it is, the thicker the layer.

In budget-type options, there may be very little sand (0.5-0.8 mm). Expensive analogues can have 3 layers of different fractions of a cleaner. In addition to financial attractiveness and simplicity of design, such a device is characterized by ease of maintenance. The disadvantage is the large size and weight of the equipment. These filters must be flushed continuously.

In order to prevent lime deposits inside the sand filter, special compounds are introduced into the system. After a few hours, the device is flushed according to the standard scheme. The change of filler in such devices depends on the type of sand used for cleaning. If there is quartz sand inside, then it must be changed at least once every three years. For the glass version, a change of 1 every 5 years is sufficient.

The filter connection diagram in such models may be different.

Today, this process can be done in three ways.

• Installing the pump in front of the sand tank. In this case, water has to seep through the sand under pressure.
• Installation of the pump after the filter. Suction and vacuum vacuum are created in a closed container, which ensures that water is sucked into the filter.
• By pumping treated water by installing a pump after the filter. In this case, water flows into the container with the cleaner by gravity.

These cylindrical devices are equipped with thin polypropylene membranes. The efficiency of such devices is twice that of sand analogues. With their help, it is possible to purify the water of an artificial reservoir from various suspensions with a size of 10 microns or more. Typically, such a device is a flask design with a removable or hinged lid. In addition to the cartridge, a polyethylene bag is installed inside the body, which is necessary for collecting filtration waste.

Such equipment is characterized by compact size and external aesthetics, which is important for the owners of summer cottages. At the same time, the device is not without its drawbacks: for smooth operation, you will have to stock up on propylene membranes and pay a decent amount for the filter.

Such specimens do not cope with the cleaning of large pools. As for the performance, they depend on the cartridge itself, which, in addition to polyethylene, can be woven. For example, products with a polyphosphate salt filler are recommended for home use. A carbon-filled device will help remove unpleasant odors. If you need to effectively destroy bacteria, then you can buy a product with a filler made of ion exchange resins.

In comparison with other analogs, this filter is more efficient. It cleans water not only from coarse suspended matter, but also destroys all the smallest particles, as well as microorganisms. According to some reports, such a filtration system imparts health-improving properties to water.The filler of such a filter is soil containing crushed shells of marine life (diatom shells). The body of the device is equipped with several cartridges at once, which contributes to a finer purification of water for the pool.

However, this equipment is not in demand among buyers today due to the high cost, which not every land owner can handle. In addition, its maintenance is difficult, and the fillers need to be changed at least once every 6 months. In order for the diatomite unit to function without failures, you will often have to call a specialist who will replace or dispose of the used filter.

If you wish, you can make a filter for cleaning the pool water with your own hands, without resorting to the help of specialists. In this case, you need to select a connection option. It depends on the available components, the type of pool (stationary, frame or inflatable), as well as the organization of the tank drain.

For example, for a homemade sand filter, you may need the following parts:

• a plastic container in the form of a barrel with a volume of 50-60 liters with a large diametrical opening at the top;
• filter pump with 150 W pump;
• quartz sand;
• mounting hoses and clamps;
• water filter for intensive cleaning;
• water intake with fine mesh in the form of a grid.

As a rule, such structures work flawlessly if they are assembled according to all the rules. For the barrel, a permanent place is immediately determined, where it is installed. It should be located near the pool.

The hose is connected to a water intake, after which it is lowered to the bottom of the container and connected to a pump. The container is covered with sand to about three quarters of its volume. A hose is fixed at the top, providing water access from the pool. A coarse filter is placed between the pump and the barrel. The second hose is connected to the pump.

For information on how to make a sand filter for a pool with your own hands, see the next video.

Today, on the market for similar products, you can buy any version of the pool filter system. At the request of the customer, the sellers will always help you to choose a product, taking into account the required power and performance. Among the rich selection of quality products, one can note the options of Spanish manufacturers. Noteworthy are the cleaning systems of companies Kripsol, Hayward, Emaux.

For example, buyers highlight models Kripsol Sevilla STN406-25, Kripsol Granada GTN406-33 and Kripsol Balear BL 760... At the same time, they note that the last two modifications are equipped with built-in attachments. Some varieties work with the use of multilayer filters, which consist of quartz sand, gravel and coal fractions (for example, coal anthracite). Other models worth buying include products Behncke Cristall D900 and Emaux FSP350-4W.

Decent pool filters are available from the trade Intex brands... They are equipped with a chlorine generator. Their filter elements are made on the basis of cartridges. Cartridge filters for SPA pools of the Premium J300, 400 series are also noteworthy.

Also interesting are the products of the Dutch Allseas Swim & Spa... These filters can be rinsed with water and used for whirlpool baths.

Choosing and purchasing the right type of device depends on a number of factors. As a rule, this issue needs to be addressed at the design stage of the pool itself. With a careful and deliberate approach to this issue, you can reduce the cost of tank maintenance. Initially, experts start from the type of artificial reservoir, the planned intensity of its use, and then consider the technical parameters of water pumps.

Performance is key. It is calculated in liters or cubic meters processed by the system for 1 hour of operation. For example, if you need a filter to clean a large pool, its output should be at least 500 liters per hour. You can choose the right option based on calculations.To do this, the total volume of the pool is multiplied by 2.5 and divided by 10.

In addition to power, you need to pay attention to the speed of water purification. You can ask the seller about the time required for a complete run of the water. This indicator can be from 6 to 8 hours. Water should pass through the filter 3-4 times per day. It is important that the filter not only handles large particles, but also removes small inclusions.

To understand the degree of purification, you can pay attention to the indicated filtration rate, as well as the type of filter used. It usually turns out that the lower the speed indicator, the better the filter purifies the water. However, the total volume cannot be less than three passes in 24 hours. An increase in speed will be reflected in a decrease in the quality of filtered bathing water.

It is also important to take into account the nuance that for a powerful pump, the filler capacity must be large. As a rule, cleaning devices are sold immediately with filters. The complete set often makes it possible not to select the container for the pump. The selection can be made based on specific models, viewed in advance on the counter of a particular store.

You can also see the technical characteristics declared by the manufacturer, correlate them with the type of pool and even clarify the compatibility of a specific product through online communication with company managers. To have reliable information about the quality, it is worth visiting the forums about filters and inquiring about what people who have already installed these devices write about them. If opinions prove the worth of the purchase, you can re-send to the store.

When buying, you should ask the seller for a certificate and accompanying documentation for the cleaning system for the pool - its presence will indicate the quality of the product, because the product is taken for a long time. Any refusal to provide a certificate of conformity to generally accepted standards will indicate a fake product. You should also rely on the price: a quality product is not sold at a discount or on sale. In addition, it is important to consider the product warranty.

The pool water must be constantly cleaned. This is especially important if it does not initially differ in purity, it has an admixture of rust. It should not turn green if the pool is not being used. Even clean water needs to be purified.

To do this, you must turn on the filter at least twice a day or once every 10 hours. For example, this will be enough to maintain the purity of a reservoir with a volume of 15-20 m3, while the water will have time to pass twice through the treatment system.

Often during operation, the filter element is covered with a layer of sticky plaque, which interferes with the operation of the filter and affects its quality indicators.

The flushing of the filter media for each device is different in frequency. Sometimes it is enough to perform it once every 7-10 days. In systems of an injection type, to determine the need for flushing, you need to monitor the readings of the pressure gauge. The average system pressure should be approximately 0.8 bar. As soon as the reading has exceeded 1-1.3 bar, the sand must be washed.

The filter is cleaned by pumping water under pressure into the intake device. To do this, first put a wiring so that it is possible to change the direction of the water flow by switching the tap. If there is no wiring, you can rearrange the hoses. It is necessary to ensure the flow of dirty water from the bottom up with its further removal into the sewer or a separate tank.

If this is a delivery type device, then the hose is removed from the upper fitting and attached to the lower one, which is connected to the water intake. If the water pump is set to suction, the hoses must be re-routed. The suction hose must be connected to a source of clean water or lowered into the pool, and the pressure hose must be connected to the outlet of the water intake device.

The hose for draining dirty liquid is attached to the upper fitting, then the pump is turned on. Pressurized water will loosen and flush out the adhering layer. The filter must be washed until the water becomes clear after cleaning. It is important to monitor its frequency in order to increase the filter's shelf life.

In the case of operation, a situation arises when it is necessary to replace the filter element. For example, if it is heavily contaminated with dermis, grease, organic matter and hair, or the sand cannot fully purify the water.

Its replacement is carried out according to the following scheme:

• turn off the tap supplying water;
• pumping the remaining water;
• disconnect the pump from the network;
• remove all filler using gloves;
• fill the filter reservoir with water by a third to soften the fall of sand on the elements of the system;
• backfill the filter medium;
• water is supplied and backwash is performed;
• turn on the purification mode.

Knowing the general information about pool water purification systems (public or private), the buyer can understand the difference between the devices and make the right choice when the purchase question arises. The systems are different - they are not universal, since they are subject to the type, size of the pool and depend on the intensity of its use. It is impossible to buy a unit without knowing the volume of water with which it will have to cope.