Filter media

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Filter media for filling sand filters for swimming pool water filtration.


Filter media for swimming pool water filtration

Filter media are used for it filling up sand filters that purify the pool water. These sand filters are available in all sizes and diameters.

The diameter depends on the volume of the pool. The larger the pool, the larger the filter and the more sand that needs to be in the filter.

The height of the filter is determined by the application. For example, high filters are mandatory in public swimming pools.

Exactly how much filter material you need and in which granulate (size of the granules) is stated on the filter or can be found in the Technical Data Sheet of the filter.

What application does the filter material have.

In a sand filter for a swimming pool, filter products are applied in different layers to filter the water. For swimming pool water filtering is generally used filter sand.

    • In private swimming pools 1 single type of filter sand (the finest type 0.4 - 0.8mm).
    • In larger filters, a layer of filter gravel is first placed at the bottom of the filter.
    • In public swimming pools, a "multi-layer" filter is used. At the bottom pebbles (possibly 2 types of fineness), then the sand and as a top layer activated carbon or hydroanthracite.

The right filter material ensures crystal clear pool water

For filling your sand filter Always follow the manufacturer's advice. You can usually find a picture on the sand filter with the quantities and how best to fill your swimming pool filter. Courant is contained in a sand filter for private swimming pools containing 25 kg of gravel (silex) and 100 kg of sand (type 0.4 - 0.8 mm).

Filter glass the better alternative for sand in the sand filter

It has been for several years now filter glass the perfect alternative for filter sand as filling media.

    • You need less of the glass, on average 15% less filter material.
    • You do not have to replace the filter glass every 5 years, but it has one lifespan of 2 to 3 times the lifespan of filter sand.
    • By the way, AFM (active filter media) filter glass is an activated product that has a lot better filter properties has sand.

Frequently asked questions about filter glass

AFM filter glass filter filling

Fill 15% less than the recommended amount of sand.

You fill 15% less filter glass compared to the sand. Any pool SAND FILTER can be filled with AFM filter glass instead of the standard sand. 

Calculation example for filling a sand filter with AFM filter glass

Filter TRITON TR100

  • Fill with sand
    • Filter Pebble 2 - 5mm : 80kg
    • Filter sand 0.4 - 0.8mm : 200kg
  • Fill filter with filter glass
    • AFM Grade III 2 - 4mm : 68kg 
    • AFM Grade I 0.4 - 0.8mm : 170kg

YES, in all swimming pool sand filters you can add filter glass instead of sand. In addition, you only need to add 85% of the recommended amount.

There are 3 common sand filter types: 

  • ordinary sand filter for private swimming pools
  • semi-high bed pool filters - these are higher - this creates a higher (thicker) sand filter bed
  • high bed filters - these filters have a filter bed height of at least 1m - these are sand filters for use in public swimming pool water treatment

The semi-high bed and high-bed filters have the typical multi-layer filter media. The coarse material is always at the bottom, the fine material at the top.

The higher the filter bed, the better the filtration. 

Difference AFM and AFM NG

Activated filter glass VS standard filter glass

YES, there is just recycled glass (Waterco Eco Pure) and there is activated filter glass (AFM Filter glass). 

The difference here is that the activated filter media has undergone a treatment to increase the charge and surface area. 

Due to the stronger charge, the filter material has a stronger attraction for dirt particles. The larger surface also ensures a finer filtration. 

The filter fineness compared

  • filter sand 0.5 to 1mm: filter fineness: 90% 10µm
  • filter glass Grade I : filter fineness : 90% 5µm
  • AFM activated filter glass Grade I : 95% 3 - 4µm
  • AFM NG activated Grade I : 97% 2 - 3µm

Unlike filter sand, you have to rarely replace the glass filter media. Filter sand in private swimming pool water filtration must be replaced every 5 to 7 years. The glass lasts longer and you rarely have to replace it. 

It is, however, advisable to regularly top up the GRADE I fine glass filter layer with some fresh filter media. 

This makes the filter glass more durable (made from recycled glass) and more convenient - you rarely need to replace it. 

AFM Filter glass filter fineness chart LS

Pure and clear pool water

If you fill the sand filter with filter glass, you will have PURIER and CLEARER pool water than a filtration with sand in the filter. 

A handy, easy to remember rule here is that the slower the pool water passes through the filter and the higher the filter bed, the better (clearer) the pool water. 

Do you work with multiple layers and a high bed sand filter then the result will be superior to a standard sand filter filtration. 

Which filter sand should you add to a high-bed filter?

In public swimming pools or semi-public swimming pools in Hotels or Wellness centers high bed sand filters usage. These are filled with different filter media. The top layer is usually activated carbon or hydroanthracite.

The aim is to improve the physical filtration. By working with coarse and fine grains (sand or coal) the larger dirt particles will be stopped at the bottom. At the top of the sand filter the smaller dirt particles.

The larger granules at the bottom also ensure that the dirt is washed out of the sand much better during backwashing and the filter becomes clean again.

Multi-layer filtering scheme