Sand filter for the pool: to keep the water always clean

It is very important to use a water filter in the pool maintenance system, because clean water is, first of all, safety for the whole family

Types of water filters

There are several ways to combat water pollution in outdoor pools: device waste collection overflow, removal of debris from the surface of the reservoir using a net, cleaning the bottom with a water vacuum cleaner. But what about pollution that is inaccessible to the human eye? Filtration equipment is used for complete water purification.

Helpful advice! The installation of an appropriate filter for the pool is planned at the design stage of an artificial reservoir. Correctly selected equipment increases the duration of the pool operation and reduces the cost of water disinfection.

One of the main problems of any outdoor pool is surface contamination.

By the principle of action, water filters divided into mechanical, chemical and combined. The action of chemical devices is based on the use of disinfecting solutions that eliminate harmful bacteria and microorganisms. However, such formulations have a negative effect on human skin, which imposes restrictions on exposure to chlorinated water.

Combined products include several cleaning systems, combining mechanical and chemical elements. Such a cleaning system is considered the most effective, but quite costly. Chemical filtration plants are cumbersome, and combined ones are expensive. Mechanical filters are the optimal solution for private ponds.

A sand filter for cleaning a pool is a large tank filled with sand through which water is filtered

Types of mechanical filters for water purification in swimming pools

The use in mechanical installations of one or another filtering substance, classifies them into sand, earth and cartridge.

Related article:

Tablets for the pool for disinfection of water: proper care of the pond. Pool care methods.What to do when the pool water blooms. Types of disinfectants. We clean the pool ourselves.

Earth diatom filters... One of the most efficient filtering devices. Water purification occurs by passing through cartridges filled with an earthy mixture of plankton particles. However, the high cost of such devices makes their use unaffordable for many. In addition, professional assistance is often required during product maintenance (replacement and disposal). This is due to the fact that the filling of the cartridges is poisonous.

You can keep the entire water column clean using special filters for pools

Cartridge filters... They are cylindrical cartridges packed into the device body. The pool filter cartridge works to neutralize 5 micron particles. The devices are easily cleaned by processing with special compounds or by rinsing with water. Used cartridges can be easily removed and replaced with new ones. Compared to diatoms, cartridge units have a lower cost.

Sand filters... Such installations are the most budgetary of all mechanical options. It is recommended to use them for frame and inflatable pools with a small load. As a filler in these devices use sand, a mixture of sand with particles of gravel, anthracite or carbon. Maintenance of the product consists in flushing with a reverse flow of water.

A sand filter for purifying pool water is one of the budget options.

Sand filter device for the pool. Instructions for use

The sand filter is a sealed case filled with sifted quartz sand. The body is made of durable plastic that can withstand the effects of aggressive environments. The set of the filtering device includes a pump, a six-mode switching valve, a pressure gauge for fixing the pressure in the filtering system.

Water is purified by passing it through quartz sand. For pool filters, fractions of 0.4-0.8 mm are used. You can buy quartz sand for a pool filter at construction outlets. Filling the container with ordinary sand will lead to the failure of the installation, due to the ability to clump. The dimensions of the product body are selected depending on the volume of the pool bowl.

Standard Sizes of Pool Sand Filter

The operation of the installation is as follows: water is pumped into a container with sand, passes through it and returns back to the pool. Dirt and small particles of debris remain in the sand layers (their size is approximately 20-25 microns). It should be noted that the sand option may well act as a filter for an open-type frame pool in a summer cottage or a personal plot.

The time for cleaning the device should be determined using the data of the manometer. The higher the accumulation of dirt in the device, the more pressure is required to pass water through it. As soon as the pressure gauge needle approaches the critical red mark, this will be a signal to clean the product. It is necessary to turn on the reverse flow of water and rinse filter.

The filter must take water from the surface, since the top layer collects the most dirt, microorganisms and debris

Helpful advice! During operation, limescale accumulates in sand filters, which can lead to a decrease in their effectiveness. In view of this, it is necessary to clean the device 2-3 times a year with compounds to remove lime deposits.

The frequency of flushing the filter is determined by the type of artificial reservoir, the intensity of its use, the degree of water pollution, the composition and amount of chemicals used for swimming pools.It is possible to increase the efficiency of the filtering equipment by installing a valve that implements the automatic and system flushing mode.

How the sand filter works

The cost of sand installations is quite acceptable. However, their disadvantage is that backwashing in case of contamination is a rather long process. In addition, a lot of water is used during cleaning, which increases its consumption, and, consequently, the costs of maintaining the pool. If the water supply on the site is limited, then it is not at all recommended to use a sand filter for the pools.

Sand filter for the pool: modes of operation and maintenance of the device

When you turn on the pump for a pool with a sand filter, the water through the drains and skimmers enters the pre-filter, and then passes through the quartz filler. There it is cleaned and fed back to the pool bowl through the inlet nozzles. After a certain time, the sand in the installation becomes dirty and needs to be cleaned, which will be indicated by the pressure gauge.

The sand filter is easy to maintain

Some models of sand cleaners are equipped with devices that automatically flush. If there is no such device, you can do it yourself cleaning the pool filter. To do this, turn off the pump, put the valve in flushing mode and turn on the pump again for a while.

In reverse flow mode, the water will flush the dirt that has settled on the sand down the drain. After that, the valve must be put into tamping mode. In this case, the pump operates for about a minute, then it turns off and back on the filtration mode. The water in the pool must be filtered constantly, regardless of the time of use of the reservoir. During the day, the water must pass through the filter up to 2-3 times.

Helpful advice! Strengthening the power of the pumping equipment leads to an increase in the speed of water passing through the filter, which contributes to poor-quality cleaning. Consequently, for pools with a low load, small pumps are used.

Sand filter component diagram

When using sand filters, you must adhere to the safety rules:

1. When transferring the six-position valve to a new mode, the pump should be turned off.
2. Do-it-yourself installation of a sand filter for a pool and a pump should be done within 1 m from the walls of the reservoir.
3. For proper operation of the pump, it is necessary to provide air access at its location.
4. The equipment operation mode is adjusted when the pump is off.
5. When moving the valve to one position or another, make sure that the valve lever fits exactly into the groove of the retainer.
6. A valve under pressure must not be switched over.

Pool filtration unit

Varieties of sand filters

To improve the efficiency of sand filters, filling them can consist of several layers (multi-layer models). In such installations, sand of various fractions is used, which is stacked from a larger fraction to a smaller one or several types of fillers: sand, gravel, anthracite.

When choosing a suitable sand filter, it is worth asking what type of filler is used in it. If it is quartz sand, then its service life will be approximately 3 years, after which it will need to be replaced. Glass sand will last up to 5-6 years, however, its cost will be slightly higher. Inexpensive devices are filled with a layer of sand with particles of 0.5-0.8 mm.

Sometimes the contents of sand filters are combined, filling different types of fillers in several layers

More advanced models consist of 3-5 layers of filler of various fractions. When cleaning, water first passes through large particles, gradually reaching a fine filler. In expensive filters, a layer of sorbent is placed (for example, anthracite in granules).The particles of this filler have a pointed shape, which does not allow the substance to be strongly compacted. Because of this, cleaning is much faster.

According to their capacity, sand filters are divided into industrial ones, the productivity of which is over 10 m³ / hour. Medium (up to 10 m³ / hour) and low-power with a throughput of up to 3 m³ / hour. The latter can be used as filters for inflatable pools at the summer cottage.

The sand filter is capable of retaining particles that are about 20 microns in size

Companies specializing in the production of inflatable and frame pools, as a rule, also produce filtration units for them. The range of offered devices contributes to the selection of the optimal model directly for your type of artificial reservoir. The equipment is selected based on the diameter and capacity of the pool bowl.

Sand filter installation

In order for the pool filter to function effectively, it must be correctly installed. Products can be submersible, mounted, floating and others. The main indicator of the correct operation of the filter is high-quality purified water.

Installing a pool filter must follow certain safety rules

Make sure that when the filter is operating there is good circulation of water in the pool. It must not be allowed that there are so-called dead zones in it, from where water will not flow into the installation. This will lead to stagnation and pollution of water in these areas, as well as the spread of tainted water throughout the reservoir.

In addition, water must enter the filter from the surface itself, where the concentration of debris and bacteria is highest. The return water supply to the pool can be carried out at any convenient place. Also, take care of unhindered access to the filtering and pumping equipment so that you can switch the system operation to the desired mode in time.

Swimming in clean, transparent water, which is absolutely safe for the human body, is much more pleasant

Making a sand filter for the pool with your own hands

Many summer residents, in order to reduce the cost of maintaining the pool, collect filters on their own. Of course, the efficiency of a self-assembled sand filter for a pool will be much lower, but, nevertheless, the water in the pool will be purified.

To make the filter yourself, you will need a plastic container (a barrel, canister is suitable) with a volume of approximately 60-65 liters. The neck of the selected vessel should be wide. The container is located at some distance from the bowl of the reservoir. Next, you need to place a filter filler in it.

You can make a good sand filter yourself

Choose coarse sand as a filler, since fine sand will simply clog the entire system. Quartz is usually used. In addition, graphite or activated carbon interlayers can be installed. The number of layers in the filter should not exceed three. After filling, the plastic container must be tightly closed.

Then, it is necessary to connect a pump equipped with a six-position valve: one end is connected to the container, the other is attached to the sewer drain with a hose. Maintenance of an artisanal sand filter consists in regular flushing of the sand from accumulated dirt.

Clean water in the pool is, first of all, safety for its visitors, so you should take care of this first.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

• turn off the pump;
• then, for 5 minutes, the pump should operate in the flushing mode, while all contaminants from the filler will go down into the sewer;
• the washed filler should be tamped;
• re-enable filtering mode.

You can get acquainted with the assembly and the procedure for connecting a homemade sand filter device by watching the video "DIY pool filters".With the help of sand filters it is possible to achieve sufficient water purification so that your garden pool does not turn into a swamp with dirty and unpleasant water.