Maintaining the appearance of your pool can be a challenge. The basis for providing clean, clear water is the use of a filter. A filter strains the pool water, separating debris and dirt from the water, while returning clean water to the pool. Sand and gravel, diatomaceous earth, and cartridge filters are the most popular systems for residential pool use. Sand and gravel filters use silica sand that traps the contaminants on the surface of the sand. When the surface sand is unable to let water filter through, it's necessary to backwash or reverse the flow of water to remove the accumulated debris. Diatomaceous(di-uh-to-may-shush)earth filters, or 'D-E' filters, operate in a similar manner. D-E filters use the fossilized remains of marine plants to filter the water. However, D-E filter material needs to be replaced more often and can increase the operation cost. Cartridge filters consist of a pleated cylinder that strains the water. The cylinder can be conveniently washed for maintenance. To determine which filter will provide the best results for your pool, contact a local pool retailer.
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