A new look at an old technology—sand filtration for above-ground pools

by Sally Bouorm | October 1, 2013 10:11 am

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By Mitch Smith

Above-ground swimming pools—whether steel-wall, soft-sided, or any other type—all contain water, which needs to be filtered. While most facts about above-ground pool filters have remained constant over the years with respect to the pros and cons of the three basic types (sand, cartridge, or diatomaceous earth [DE]), there are some changes in the market that savvy dealers can use to their advantage.

The general truths are true

No matter the swimming pool type, DE provides the finest filtration, sand is easiest to understand and maintain, and cartridge filtration is in between on both ease-of-maintenance and particle-size scales.

Sand filters

Using sand to filter water dates back to the Roman baths of ancient times. And, while there may be some differences in how their valves operate, or the design of the laterals that hold the sand, today’s sand filters function pretty much as they always have. As water passes through the sand bed, particles are trapped by the sand crystals. When the sand bed has trapped all it can, usually measured by a change in pressure, or if it has been too long between cleanings (cloudy water), the sand bed can be recharged via backwashing. This process essentially involves running water through the filter in reverse, loosening the trapped particles and flushing them to waste. The sand itself typically lasts several years.

Cartridge filters

Cartridge filters have a bit more variety to them in terms of form and function. Basic cartridge filters have inserts made of paper-like material that trap dirt. The cartridges themselves can be rinsed and cleaned for repeated use. The length of time between required cleanings depends on bather load. The same is true of how often the cartridges should be replaced. The replacement cartridge market can be lucrative for pool dealers.

FILTER SYSTEMS
Sand filter systems for soft-sided pools may be the key to closing future sales of more elaborate pools because they offer better filtration than the pump/filter combinations that typically come in the box.[2]Hayward Pool Products Canada—VL series Hayward’s VL Series sand filter systems provide filtration for above-ground pools of all types, including soft-sided varieties. Easily assembled, these above-ground pool sand filters feature an incorporated pump base, tested sand filtration technology, and quiet pump designed to provide trouble-free functionality.         GAME—SandPro series [3]SandPro filtration systems from GAME are available in three sizes, delivering flow rates of 114, 155 and 170 litres per minute (lpm) (30, 41 and 45 gallons per minute [gpm]). The first model introduced was the 0.5-horsepower (hp) system (model #4510), which is now the middle of the line. The flow rate from this filter is adequate for driving a small pool cleaner and incorporates many features of higher price-point sand filters, including a seven-position valve for backwashing and a hair-and-lint trap on the pump’s wet end. SandPro filter systems meet all National Electrical Code (NEC) and other electrical requirements and come with specialty fittings to connect with the proprietary hose sizes that come with most leading brands of soft-sided pools.     [4]Waterway Plastics—TWM-30 series Waterway’s offering in this category includes a 0.5-hp pump, which is available with or without a trap, and a 406-mm (16-in.) sand filter on an integrated equipment pad. The pump/filter combination is rated at 114 lpm (30 gpm) and comes with Intex pool connection fittings, as well as two, 1.8- x 0.45-m (6- x 1.5-ft) hoses with connectors.   [5][6]Pentair Aquatic Systems—Sand Dollar® series Pentair uses a blow-moulded process to create its one-piece Sand Dollar® filter systems, which have a non-corrosive tank. The pump/filter combination features a six-position 38 mm (1.5 in.) multi-port valve with a self-priming Dynamo® pump in 0.75, 1, or 1.5-hp ratings. The filter is designed to ensure water is exposed to maximum surface area for optimum filtration and efficient backwashing. The pump, constructed with fibreglass-reinforced components, has a large strainer basket, which extends the time between cleanings, and a see-through strainer-pot lid for easy inspection and cleaning.

DE filters

DE filters, on the other hand, are the most complicated of the three types, and also provide the finest filtration. Grids are coated with DE, which catches the undesirable particles as water passes through. When the DE has caught all it can (measured similarly to sand filters via a rise in filter pressure or visual signs of compromised filtration), it must be regenerated. Some DE filters have a backwash-like function in which the DE is bumped and then recoated onto the grids. Other models require backwashing; however, some areas have rules against flushing DE into sewers. Still, the superior water quality achievable with DE makes these filters appealing to pool owners.

Market dominance

The type of filter that dominates any given geographic market depends somewhat on the natural surroundings and a lot on other factors. For instance, in desert climates, DE often dominates because of the fine particulates that find their way into pools, while sand is the prevalent filter type in most of Canada and the Northeastern U.S. However, it can easily be argued that market dominance of one type of filter over the others depends more on the preferences of larger pool builders and retailers in any given area than on environmental factors. That is, whatever the bigger companies prefer to sell is what dominates a market.

Finally, cartridge filters are increasingly being touted as the most environmentally friendly choice because they do not require backwashing, a process that consumes water. Also—and this is true more so of larger, more expensive inground pool filters—recent product developments in this category have centred on making cartridge filters more hydraulically efficient and, therefore, more energy efficient.

Money talks

Above-ground swimming pools tend to be purchased by homeowners who want a backyard pool, but are not able or willing to invest in a higher priced inground pool. By extension, they tend to have the least expensive and simplest-to-use equipment. However, this does not mean all above-ground pool owners want the cheapest equipment available. That said, they do not generally spend more on their filtration system than they spend on the pool itself.

Within the category of consumers who opt for above-ground pools, there is a further breakdown between steel-wall pools and soft-sided pools. Soft-sided pools are typically sold as do-it-yourself (DIY) installations. As such, they are viewed by most pool dealers as a product for mass merchants and discount stores—not professional pool dealerships. That is, most independent pool stores still do not carry these relatively inexpensive pools, nor do they provide service or stock replacement parts for them.

In 2012, however, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) for the first time recognized soft-sided pools as a separate product category from traditional hard-wall, above-ground pools. As a result, more professional pool dealers are offering products and services to these pool owners.

Further, as above-ground pools tend to be more lower-ticket sales items than inground pools, it seems appropriate the equipment sold with and for the latter also tend to be less expensive than the pumps and filters designed and sold for inground pools. And, for the most part, today’s popular, low-cost soft-sided pool packages come equipped with simple element cartridge filters.

Retailers can upgrade the filter offerings

Sand filters for above-ground pools present an opportunity to capture the customer who bought a soft-sided or other inexpensive pool from somewhere other than a specialty pool store. A pool professional who can explain the alternatives can offer the consumer a better filtration option, which leads to cleaner water that is easier to care for. A pool owner who experiences this improvement will, ideally, return to the same store for chemicals, toys, accessories and, when the time comes, a new pool.

Soft-sided pools typically come equipped with small, low-output cartridge filters that are essentially 0.7 to 0.9 m² (8 to 10 sf) worth of filtration stacked on top of the pump assembly, all housed in a single pump-filter unit. The pumps that come with these systems have a typical flow rate of 57 to 76 litres per minute (lpm) (15 to 20 gallons per minute [gpm]). It is difficult to circulate and adequately filter water with a flow rate in this range, even for a pool that is only 4.9 m (16 ft) in diameter. Pool owners who have trouble keeping their water clear and, as a result, bring several water samples to a pool professional for in-store water testing are good candidates for a filter upgrade.

For a long time, the pool industry did not have reliable suppliers offering sand filtration systems priced for the above-ground pool market, but this has changed. When the pool itself costs between $400 and $700, it is hard to justify spending the same amount—if not more—on the pump and filter.

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Filter systems for above-ground pools is a category that has grown as a number of manufacturers now offer filtration systems that are designed for use with less-expensive, soft-sided pools. In fact, there are a variety of smaller, lower-cost sand filter systems being sold for use with soft-sided pools, a number that has grown significantly over the past five years. These sand filters are a significant upgrade over the cartridge filter unit, which would have been packaged with the swimming pool.

Further, pool owners cannot go into a big-box retailer and buy a 0.5-horsepower (hp) sand filter for $200 or $250, which is what some of the smallest sand filter units cost. These stores typically sell replacement cartridges for the filters that are sold with the pool packages.

As basic as some of the sand filters targeted at this market are, they still provide better filtration than the cartridge filters typically sold with the initial pool package. When pool dealers can offer a better filter that still costs less than the original pool package, and the pool owner has an easier time keeping the pool water usable and safe, they will have done the soft-sided pool owner a service. As a result, there will be a good chance this pool owner will be done shopping at large retailers for chemicals, accessories, and other items as well. As the consumer can also find these items at a specialty pool dealer—including the family’s next pool, the soft-sided pool owner becomes a loyal customer for the pool professional.

Dealers remain top-of-mind

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By offering sand filters for soft-sided above-ground swimming pools, dealers can provide a product that helps a pool owner enjoy their pool more, make it easier to keep clean, and reduce—if not eliminate—the need to change the water mid-season. If the retailer is the reason the pool owner enjoys their entry-level pool more, the odds are good when they are ready to step up to a steel-wall, above-ground pool or even an inground pool, they will be first in line to get the business.

Knowing not only the differences between the types of filtration systems available today, but also recognizing and being able to meet the needs of different types of consumers, will serve pool dealers well.

 

 

 

Mitch Smith is vice-president, specialty channel sales for GAME, a swimming pool and accessories manufacturer in Scottsdale, Ariz. He has been in the pool and spa industry for 30 years, having worked with Muskin, Zodiac and Vogue prior to joining GAME. Smith can be reached via e-mail at mks@game-group.com[9].

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