▷ Cartridge filters for pools | All information and details

If you want to keep your pool clean, you can’t avoid a filter system.
In addition to chemical cleaning, physical cleaning of the water is also required. If the pool filter is selected according to the pool, the dose of chemical water conditioners can be reduced.

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Cartridge filters are a popular alternative to sand filter systems.
Cartridge filters include all those systems that have a filter medium made of plastic.

Types of cartridge filter systems:

Depending on the size of the pool, different systems should be used for filtering.

Conventional cartridge filters:

These filter systems are ideal for above-ground pools up to 10,000 liters. Since this is the largest variant of these filter systems, they have a slightly higher flow rate than hanging filters. It is possible to place these water purifiers outside the pool.

In the case of sunken pools, the installation is carried out on the outer wall of the pool at the level of the water surface. Flexible hoses are used here, which create the connection between the pump and the filter.

The most common filter media are cartridges that work like a coffee filter. These filter cartridges are usually made of fleece or PVC.

Filter balls represent an alternative to fleece and PVC and they can be used for all cartridge filters. It is particularly practical that these can be cleaned in the washing machine.
This filter medium is easy to handle and is characterized by its durability. Anyone who decides to buy high-quality filter balls can use this filter medium for several seasons.
Filter balls are made from polyethylene, which is 100 percent recyclable.

Advantages of conventional cartridge filters:

  • Cartridge water purification is ideal for indoor pools that are only moderately dirty. This system can also be used for small pools such as quick-up and frame pools.
  • They are ideal for narrow spaces in swimming pools.
  • With this variant of water purification, fine dirt such as leaves and small insects can be filtered out of the water.
  • They also support pool hygiene. Microorganisms are able to settle in the formation of algae.
  • With conventional cartridge filters, light impurities such as insects or dirt particles are held back by a fine-pored plastic fleece. This fleece is often folded in a star shape. Thanks to the large surface area, it is able to filter out more particles than a foam insert.
  • In contrast to the sand filter system, the cartridge filter is able to sieve finer particles out of the water.
  • This system rarely malfunctions because the structure is simple.
  • Replacement cartridges are easy to use and can be replaced quickly.
  • These models are inexpensive and compact.

Disadvantages of conventional cartridge filters:

  • This system is unsuitable for large and heavily soiled pools.
    The reason for this is that a cartridge filter is not able to completely sift sand and stones out of the pool water.
  • If the pool water is very dirty, the filter must be cleaned more frequently or replaced with a new one
  • In contrast to sand filter systems, the running costs are higher. The reason for this is that the filter has to be replaced regularly.
  • It is important to remember that deep cleaning is not possible and that germs that cannot be seen with the naked eye also settle. These germs cannot be removed with tap water.
  • Especially fine dirt, such as pollen, put a heavy strain on the cartridge filter.
    It is therefore advisable to use a net to remove coarser impurities such as leaves from the pool water.
  • Since the power of these pool pumps is rather low, heavy dirt particles such as stones and sand are not even sucked in and remain on the bottom of the pool.
  • Due to the large surface of this filter, the filtering speed is low. The maximum possible filter speed is 1.5 m/h.

Hang-Filter:

Filters for hanging are also called complete filters. This type of filter is ideal for paddling pools, small circular pools and pools that are dismantled over the winter.

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Such models are simply attached to the pool edge or handrail. The filter pump is connected via an external power source. Alternatively, the pump can also be operated using solar cells that are integrated in the filter pump.

Advantages of on-hook filters:

Complete filters are delivered ready to hang and pool owners only have to connect them to the pump with a plug.

With small hanging filters, the flow rate is two cubic meters per hour. This flow rate is sufficient to clean the water from paddling pools or small pools from light dirt.

Disadvantages of on-hook filters:

Performance is insufficient for medium and large pools.

Foam filter:

In this system, an open-pored soft foam is used as the filter medium.

Advantages of a foam filter:

While conventional cartridge filters cannot be backwashed, backwashing is possible with this type of filter.

Disadvantages of a foam filter:

A downside is the cleaning. Foam filters can only be cleaned insufficiently. They therefore harbor the risk of germs accumulating and algae forming more easily.

How does a cartridge filter work?

When the pump is connected to the pool, the pool water moves and a cycle is created.

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The pump sucks the dirty pool water into the filter system of the cartridge. The water then passes through a hose system and gets into the paper filter, where it is cleaned.

Finally, the sifted water flows back into the pool.

The core of the paper filter is a plastic, with which pool owners use the cartridge.
It is important to clean the filter at regular intervals. The filter is cleaned of dirt under running tap water.

Purchase criteria:

Due to the enormous range of different cartridge filter systems, we bring pool owners closer to the most important purchase criteria.

Filter performance:

One of the most important criteria is the filter performance, which differs from model to model. The required filter capacity depends on the pool size. For larger pools and therefore more water volume, a higher filter performance is required.

With cartridge filters, the usual filter performance is around two cubic meters per hour. Such makes are suitable for swimming pools with a water volume of 6000 liters.
A flow rate of up to six cubic meters per hour is required for larger tanks.

It is not advisable to buy a weak system, as this will result in poor filter quality.
In addition, the running time of a high-performance make is extended.

As a guideline, the entire amount of water should be circulated two to three times a day.

power source:

You can choose between an external power supply and an integrated one.
With the external variant, the filter is connected to the socket, while solar cells represent the integrated variant.

Power Consumption:

Since this filter system is in operation for a few hours per use, it is worth taking a look at its power consumption and performance.
Pool owners can find out which models are energy-saving from current tests and comparisons.

It is important to remember that there is a connection between power consumption and filter performance. Compromising on performance is not advisable!

Duration:

The running time is matched to both the water volume and the filter performance. The filter system should run six to eight hours a day so that the filter is able to circulate the water two to three times.

Pool owners can calculate the run time for a circulation using this formula:

The filter runtime for a circulation is calculated by dividing the pool volume into through the Pump power divided. Since the water should be circulated two to three times, the result must also be included multiplied by two or three become.

hose size:

If you opt for a system that is not attached to the pool edge or handrail, you should pay attention to the hose size.

For a smooth connection, the hose must be compatible with the filter. It is therefore important to obtain information on the hose diameter before making a purchase decision and to choose a make with a compatible connection.

Where to buy cartridge filters online outside of Amazon:

Conclusion:

A cartridge filter system is perfect for filtering paddling pools and small pools with a water volume of up to 10,000 liters.

Light impurities are removed from the water, but sand and stones remain in the pool because this filter system is inefficient.
The acquisition costs are low, but in addition to the electricity costs, there are also expenses for changing the filter medium.