Sand Alternatives

Vitroclean is made from 100% recycled glass. It is crushed, dried at 500°F, and screened into various sized fractions to achieve optimal filtration properties. As the grains are nearly all angular in shape and have a fairly high degree of sphericity, the filter bed tends to have more open packing, resulting in better permeability than a filter of spherical silica grains.

Because glass is amorphous and has no internal crystal structure, the particles are homogenous and have no grain boundaries. This gives glass more resistance to breakdown through filtration/backwashing cycles. Furthermore, the lack of grain boundaries minimizes cracks where bacteria can lodge and resist flushing in backwashing.

Glass particles have a slight negative charge on their surface, which tend to hold onto fine particles during the filtration cycle. Upon backwashing, this weak charge apparently releases these fine particles to the effluent, thereby contributing to better filtration action. Theoretically at least, one should see less use of backflushing water owing to the better permeability of a glass filter.

As crushed glass is lighter than silica sand, between 15 and 20 percent less glass is needed to fill a filtration unit. With the better filtration characteristics and lower density, glass is a superior filtration medium for many filtration applications. Using glass not only results in good performance but in real cost benefits over the life of a filter bed.

Vitroclean lasts 50% longer than sand; generally 7 to 10 years.

Sand Replacement 40 pounds of Vitroclean replaces 50 pounds of sand. Determine the amount of Vitroclean you need by multiplying the amount of sand by 0.80.

Instructions:

1. Determine the amount of media required for your filter based on Vitroclean replacement ratios.

2. Empty filter and make any needed repairs. Check that laterals in bottom of filter are in good condition.

3. Fill filter half-way with water. 4. Slowly pour Vitroclean Pebble or pea gravel into filter to cover laterals. Add Vitroclean on top of Pebble/gravel base.

5. Close filter and backwash until water is clear.

Quantity of Vitroclean in a Sand Filter

Pea gravel or Vitroclean Pebble is recommended for all filters using more than 200 pounds of sand. Use enough pea gravel to cover filter laterals. The manufacturer recommends using 30% Vitroclean Pebble and 70% Vitroclean for best results.

Flow Rates

Recommended maximum flow rate for basic clean water filtration is 8 gpm/ft2 of filter bed. This rate would be satisfactory for swimming pools, spas, and other low particulate loadings. Lower flow rates such as 4 to 6 gpm/ft2 result in more particle removal but may not be practical or necessary.

Backwashing should be at a minimum of 15 gpm/ft2 where NSF standards apply, but should not be in any case less than 10 gpm/ft2.

The frequency of backwashing is dependent on the loading of the influent and the results desired.

Activated Filter Media

AFM

Activated Filter Media is a direct replacement for sand, said to double the performance of sand filters without the need of additional investments in infrastructure. AFM resists biofouling, biocoagulation, and transient wormhole channeling of unfiltered water and never needs to be recharged or replaced.

AFM is a highly engineered product manufactured from a specific glass type, processed to obtain the optimum particle size and shape. It is then exposed to a 3-step activation process to increase its surface area by up to 300 times for superior mechanical and electrostatic filtration performance.

The activated surface of AFM is self-sterilizing, which prevents bacteria mud-balling, coagulation, and channeling of unfiltered water through the filter bed. Activation increases the surface area by up to 300 times for catalysis and adsorption reactions. Similar to activated carbon, the surface nano-structure adsorbs pollutants from the water. But unlike carbon, AFM is recharged by just backwashing with water.

AFM reduces the biological risk from bacteria and parasites as well as the chemical risk. AFM does not channel, so it is an effective barrier against Cryptosporidium and Giardia. AFM does not incubate or discharge bacteria and will reduce the bacterial load of the product water. Also because of the better filtration performance, there are fewer sanitation byproducts. AFM also provides an excellent solution to remove metals and heavy metals from water.

AFM is manufactured in a stateof- the-art hygienic factory designed by Dr. Howard Dryden, CEO and inventor of AFM. AFM contains metal oxide catalysts that dissociate oxygen and water to create a zone of high oxidation potential to prevent bacteria growing on the surface of AFM. In addition, the huge activated surface area has a strong negative charge for the adsorption of submicron particles and dissolved organic molecules. This makes AFM far superior to any other filtration medium because AFM does not need to be replaced and is recharged by a simple backwash.

Benefits at a glance

• More than doubles the performance of an existing filtration system without the need for additional investments.

• Is not subject to biodynamic instability and will never allow untreated water to pass the filter.

• Substantially lowers chlorine oxidation demand by up to 50 percent.

• Lowers backwash water demand by an average of 50 percent.

• Is expected to last for the life of the filtration system.

• Provides quick return on investment.

How to use

Replacing sand with AFM is simple, but it’s not a matter of just dumping it into the filter chamber.

First, check how much sand is required for the filter in question. Next calculate how much AFM is needed – because AFM has a lower bulk density, the quantity needed is reduced by 15%, or 85% of sand required. For example, if a filter requires 100 pounds of sand, add 85 pounds of AFM.

For filters of diameter smaller than 31 inches, add AFM in the following quantities: 50% AFM Grade 1 and 50% of AFM Grade 2. See accompanying graphic above.

For filters of diameter larger than 31 inches, add 50% Grade 1, 25% Grade 2, and 25% Grade 3.

Before filling the filter, check for damaged filter laterals. Half fill the filter with water to protect the laterals. Fill up the filter with AFM grades as determined above. The filter is ready. After installation, allow AFM to soak to get it wet or run pool equipment on filtration for 24 hours. Backwash after 24 hours. Backwash filter at least once a week.

Regenerative Media Filters

Regenerative media filters typically use perlite (or DE) as their filter medium and are capable of filtering dirt particles in the 1-to-5-micron range. Compared to the filtration capability of traditional sand filters in the 15-to-20-micron range, their filtration capability is excellent. They work by trapping particles on the surface of flexible tubes coated with perlite. When the perlite becomes

How to use AFM loaded, regenerative media filters regenerate by bumping, a process in which no water is lost.

Perlite is added to the filter through a slurry funnel. Then pool water is added into the tank and the perlite and water move toward outlet tubes, covered with polyester fabric, which becomes coated with the perlite medium, referred to as the precoat cycle. Water exiting from the perlitecoated filter is then clear, and filtration has begun.

Dirt particles collected by the perlite causes the pressure of the circulation pump to rise. This causes a bumping cycle to begin, where the outlet tubes covered with the perlite to shake the perlite off, which remixes the perlite back into the chamber before they re-adhere to the tubes with differently arranged perlite, which, though dirty, is still highly effective at filtering tiny particles.

After numerous cycles of filtering, bumping, and pre-coating, eventually a point is reached where even after a bumping cycle the pressure required to push more water through the filter is too great. At this point, it becomes necessary to dump out the entire slurry of water and dirty perlite in the tank, replace it with new, and the cycle begins again.

Among the greatest advantage of regenerative media filters is their filtration capability. Water filtered by regenerative media filters is truly crystal clear. Further, because they are capable of filtering exceptionally fine particles, users frequently report lower chemical use.

The other great advantage is in water savings, which is a big bonus, particularly in drought-prone regions. Backwashing the filter is not a part of routine maintenance. Rather, once the filter pressure becomes too great, and it is time to replace the perlite, only the volume of water of the filter tank is dumped. That water loss is much less than what is lost in backwashing, or in hosing a cartridge.

Commonly reported disadvantages include the upfront sticker price, which is certainly higher than traditional sand filters.

Secondly, they also require routine perlite replacements after several cycles of use. Compared to sand, which can last for years, some may find this a disadvantage.

Finally, they aren’t a great fit with high oil content. With highly used outdoor commercial pools, where the water sees a lot of sunscreen, regenerative media filters may not be the best option. Oils and lotions tend to cake the perlite, which will result in more frequent dumping cycles.

Cartridge Filters

Cartridge filters offer numerous advantages over sand and DE in that they are easy to maintain, ecofriendly in that they are water savers, and are easily replaced once they have reached their end of their useful life.

But not all cartridges are created equally, and knowing a bit about the components of a cartridge filter may help facilitate understanding which cartridges have superior filtration ability, durability, and provide greater energy savings.

The main components of a filter cartridge are the core, the filtration medium (fabric), the end caps, and the bands that hold them together.

Many manufacturers use a standard core, made of PVC pipe, with holes drilled through to allow water to flow through the core and fabric before returning filtered water to the pool. The core serves a couple of functions. First and foremost, it provides a scaffolding for the filtration fabric. Depending on the material of which it is composed, greater or lesser lifespans can be achieved. Depending on how open the core is, greater or lesser flow can be realized. Greater flow accomplishes three things. Greater flow means more filtration capacity. It also creates less wear on the circulation pump, and is associated with lower energy costs.

The filtration medium is the essence of the filter. Most standard filters use a Reemay tri-lobal filtration medium. The product is constructed of continuous, tri-lobal spun-bond fibers made of 100-percent polyester. It is made without acrylics, binders, or glue that can weaken and dissolve during use or cleaning. This process produces a rigid fabric that readily accepts and holds sharp pleats, providing excellent column strength. Further, the tri-lobal shape of the fibers maximizes the filtration surface area, and the continuous filament construction results in unsurpassed cleanability and durability.

Advances in filtration have led to “point bonded” filtration fabric. It is made with uniformly spaced weld spots, making it strong and capable of returning to a high degree of original performance after it is cleaned. It has more fibers per area, allowing for greater dirt-holding capacity.

Pleats

Pleating is extremely important in the fabric because it creates the peaks and troughs that catch the dirt. These pleats need to be sharp and precise for optimal flow and filtration capacity. All cartridge filters are pleated to a specific pleat count, and most are held together and around the core by three or four bands to keep the pleats even. These bands can break or stretch, which can allow the pleats to fall apart.

Advances in technology have resulted in some bandless cartridges, which hold the pleats in place on the inside at the core.

End caps

End caps hold the cartridge together and also act as a seal in the filtration caps on pool filters. Cheap end caps crack under pressure and result in a shortened lifespan. Tip: look for a company brand name and part number for quality filters.

DE Alternatives

DE Filters provide excellent filtration quality, filtering particulates in water from 3-5 microns, and are ubiquitous in residential application, but in spite of this, they are not universally loved, especially by pool service technicians.

The DE itself, composed of crystalline silicone dioxide, has been linked to health problems for users. It can be harmful to sensitive ecosystems. It’s messy to use. It doesn’t break down, and because it results in bridging between grids, doesn’t completely backwash and can be difficult to rinse away.

For these reasons and more, some service professionals prefer DE alternatives. Today, the popular choices are perlite and cellulose.

Perlite

Perlite is a natural product, produced by heating volcanic rock to extremely high temperatures, at which point it explodes and expands greatly, like popcorn.

It does this because upon heating, water trapped in the structure of the material vaporizes and escapes, and this causes the expansion of the material to 7–16 times its original volume. The expanded material is a brilliant white, due to the reflectivity of the trapped bubbles.

These perlite kernels are then ground down into a very lightweight powder for use in DE water filters as well regenerative media filters. Because perlite is so low density, generally only half the amount of powder is needed, compared to DE.

Proponents of perlite say that the light weight results in less bridging between grids, more complete backwashes, and longer filter cycles, as compared to DE.

Perlite is twice the cost of DE, but because half the weight is needed, you pay the same for the same filtration ability of 3-5 microns.

Cellulose

Cellulose fiber filter media is made of plant-based fibers – generally wood pulp.

It is natural, biodegradable, renewable, and non-toxic.

Cellulose fiber can be used as a replacement for DE, and it also makes a good filter aid for sand and cartridge filters, increasing their filtration ability and protecting filter cartridges.

Because cellulose can also trap oils, grease, and particles as small as 2 microns, unlike DE, it may clog up sooner.

Cellulose fibers can even clog up from the use of polymer chemicals, such as algicides, clarifiers, phosphate removers, or metal removers. These chemicals are not recommended for use with cellulose media.

Cellulose is the costliest of DE filter alternative – but it goes much further, only 6 ounces or .375 pounds is needed for each 10 square feet of filter area.

Cartridge Filters

To purchase CelePerl visit www.epminerals.com/products/celaperl

To purchase The Filter Fiber Stuff, visit www.jacksmagic.com/product/the-filter-fiber-stuff/