Sand vs Cartridge filter

[kelemvor]

From what I've read here, I believe cartridges (decent ones, not the little intex ones) generally filter finer particles than sand. Cartridge filters require more maintenance, in that you have to remove the cartridge and wash it with a garden hose periodically. With sand, you flip a switch to "backwash" while the pump is running for a minute, then flip it back off. I have a cartridge, and I turn off the system, remove the cartridge, wash, replace mine once or twice a week (when I hit 10lb pressure rise). DE seems to filter the smallest particles but requires the most maintenance; as I believe you have to replace the filter media each time you backwash DE.

Some of the mods here have come up with an idea of adding a little DE to sand thereby improving the sand filter's ability to filter fine particles, but that reduces your time between backwashes I'm pretty sure. Still, if you're interested in improving your water quality a little it's worth a shot and a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a whole new filter.

Personally, I'd love to see a scientific comparison of the three. I'd guess if you had access to all three types of water filters, and a controlled environment you could do such a test. Unfortunately the only folks likely to do something like that would be a company trying to sell one of the filters.


However, if you're already happy with your water quality then just stick with what's working!