Sand or Glass Pool Filters?

There are a lot of decisions to make when buying a pool, one of the main concerns is what type of filter should you buy. In this guide, we will provide you with the information to make an informed decision on what filter is best for you, A Sand or Glass filter!

Sand:
Sand filters have always been the industry standard, and it gets the job done. The most common type of sand is 20-grade silica sand, meaning this type of sand can filter particles as small as 20 microns. Sand has jagged edges that can trap the particles as the water is filtered.

Glass:
Filter glass has all the characteristics of sand, plus more. Glass, in its most common form, can filter down to 9 microns. Unlike sand having jagged edges to trap particles, glass has a negative charge on the surface, which can attract the finest of particles.

Sand vs. Glass
When comparing sand and glass, be aware that the physical mediums are very similar. Filter glass is ground to a sand-like consistency, so there is no risk of being injured by said, “glass.” When we think glass, we think shards and sharp edges. This is not the case.

Maintenance can also be taken into consideration when deciding on filter media. If you choose glass as your medium, you will be saving a significant amount of time on your backwashing procedures. This is due to the distribution of build-up from the act of filtering, while glass distributes build-up across the whole of the medium, sand distributes build-up in the top 6 inches of the filter and this can limit flow when backwashing.

At Hotspring Spas & Pool Tables 2 we play the numbers game. With a glass filter, you get better filtration of 9 microns compared to a whopping 20 microns. You get a more efficient backwash, and you’ll have the cleanest pool on the block. The proof is in the proverbial pudding!

Note: Many filters can take sand, glass, or any type of filter media. Be sure to ask your salesperson if this is possible and if it affects your pool or filter’s warranty.