Pelican Pool & Patio / Filter types

Written by a Certified Pool Operator, Orange Park FL

Sand, cartridge or DE. What you actually have, and what it costs you.

Your filter is the thing that decides whether your pool is clear. Most people do not know which one they own until something goes wrong. Here is the honest comparison, including the parts a shop will not volunteer.

The three types, side by side

SandFilters to about 20–40 microns. Cheapest to run, easiest to live with. Backwash when pressure rises, replace the sand every five to seven years. Lets the finest particles through, so water can look slightly hazy in bright sun.
CartridgeFilters to about 10–20 microns. No backwashing, so no water wasted, which matters on a water bill. Clean the element a few times a year, replace it every two to four. The most common choice on newer Florida pools.
DE (diatomaceous earth)Filters to about 3–5 microns. The clearest water of the three, and the most work. Powder added after each backwash, grids cleaned and eventually replaced. Brilliant results, least forgiving of neglect.

Micron figures are typical ranges, not manufacturer guarantees.

The part nobody mentions

A filter does not fail loudly. It just quietly stops clearing your water.

Pressure creeps up, flow drops, the pool goes slightly cloudy, and most people reach for more chlorine. Chlorine kills things. The filter is what removes them. If your water will not clear no matter what you put in it, the filter is the first place to look, not the last.

Which one suits a Florida pool

Heat, rain, pollen and a long season mean Florida pools work their filters far harder than most. That changes the answer a little.

Pick sand if

  • You want the least fuss and the lowest running cost
  • You have a screened pool with limited debris
  • Slight haze in strong sun does not bother you

Pick cartridge if

  • You would rather not waste water backwashing
  • You want clearly better clarity than sand
  • You do not mind hosing an element off a few times a year

Pick DE if

  • You want the clearest water available
  • Heavy tree cover or pollen load
  • You are on a service plan, so the upkeep is not yours

Signs yours needs attention

  • Pressure 8–10 psi above its clean reading
  • Weak return jets, poor circulation
  • Water will not clear despite correct chemistry
  • Sand or DE powder blowing back into the pool

Questions we get asked

How often should I clean my filter?

By pressure, not by calendar. Note the reading when it is freshly cleaned, then service it once it climbs 8 to 10 psi above that. In practice that is roughly quarterly for cartridge in a Florida season, more in pollen months.

How long does filter sand last?

Five to seven years. It does not wear out so much as go smooth and round, and smooth sand stops trapping anything. If your sand filter has never been changed and the pool is over seven, that is very likely your problem.

Is DE worth the extra work?

For clarity, genuinely yes. For a homeowner doing their own maintenance, often not. It is a very good choice on a serviced pool and a frustrating one otherwise.

Can I switch types?

Yes, and it is a straightforward job. Whether it is worth it depends on the pump you have, since the filter and pump need to suit each other. We will tell you if switching would not actually gain you anything.

Do you service filters as part of weekly cleaning?

Inspection every visit, cleans on schedule. It is included rather than an extra we call you about later.

Related

Not sure what you have?

Send a photo of the equipment pad. We will tell you what it is, what condition it is in, and whether it needs anything.

Call 904-318-1999 Request a quote