Best Media For Sand Filter?

[jaideeguy]

Err, excuse me guys .Back on topic again.....I have been googling zeobrite for the last few days and came on this discussion that may save me money and agrivation with Zeobrite.... http://x.havuz.org/v...php?f=35&t=8415

the three page discussion is mostly negative for Zeobrite and most problems were solved with good, cheap simple sand.

does that mean you are questioning the honesty of Zeo-whatever?

555!!!.... I question everything, especially when it's new and 'hyped' as this Zeobrite is. Actually it has been around for millions of years, but it has only been touted as the best for swimming pool filtration in recent years. I have the same attitude about new meds and feel safer using older tried and proven drugs over the 'hyped' newer drugs that they so often find side effects after a few years on the market.

The thread seems to imply the same with Zeolite and it is from a peer to peer forum of pool owners.

If you took the time to read the link Naam, i would appreciate your feedback before I drop big thb next week.

[Naam]

555!!!.... I question everything, especially when it's new and 'hyped' as this Zeobrite is. Actually it has been around for millions of years, but it has only been touted as the best for swimming pool filtration in recent years. I have the same attitude about new meds and feel safer using older tried and proven drugs over the 'hyped' newer drugs that they so often find side effects after a few years on the market.

The thread seems to imply the same with Zeolite and it is from a peer to peer forum of pool owners.

If you took the time to read the link Naam, i would appreciate your feedback before I drop big thb next week.

i read the link but can i question the honesty of pool builder/maintenance companies?

i have dealt with pool builders in Thailand and found that most of them possess partial good knowledge including some blank spots which they try to fill with fairy tales. that applies too for Farang owned/managed companies with whom i had "contacts"!

utmost ridiculous was an encounter last year when i had a Farang in my house who was supposed to quote for a special job, and who's basic question was "how many m² surface area?" which was completely irrelevant.

best (in my view) pool builders and pool accessory companies i encountered in the U.S. who had "blank spots" too but rather irrelevant ones.

but whatever... i am happy with my setup, have crystal clear water and, most important, since a few months i am able to adjust my water temperature ±1ºC (by heating or cooling) no matter what different seasonal outside temperatures (or any potential bitchings of Mrs Naam ) i might encounter.

[yankee99]

I wonder why not use sand? My pool is in sun 85% of the day as averages 90 degrees seems to stay crystal clear, If i remember they use two different sizes of sand in the filter.

[Naam]

I wonder why not use sand? My pool is in sun 85% of the day as averages 90 degrees seems to stay crystal clear, If i remember they use two different sizes of sand in the filter.

sand only is quite OK. but it's not the sand that prevents algae growth or development of bacteria. that is accomplished by whatever sanitising measures are applied. by the way, crystal clear water does not necessarily mean that bacteria do not exist.

[jaideeguy]

Internet has been down for the last 3 days and in the meantime I bought some 'filter sand' after reading that forum on the downsides of Zeobrite. The seller told me something interesting about media and why the recycled glass is the best is because the crushed glass is faceted and back washes easily because of the smooth surface....makes some sense, but @ 1,700/bag, I'll pass for now.

I also questioned him about the source of his filter sand and he says that it is not mechanically crushed, but heat fractured. Anyone heard of that method??

Anyway, tomorrow, I'll install the new sand and see what happens.........

[PoolDoctor]

Lol. I can see nothing has changed on TV.

Anyway, we just finished the pool at View Talay 2, a massive pool that had serious filtration issues. Number 1 being, likely inadequate filtration capacity for that volume of water. Changing out the 6 filters though, would have been too $, and a hassle due to the entrance of the equipment room. We do know though, that zeolite has about 50% more filtering capacitiy than sand, so our idea was to increase filtration by using zeolite instead of sand and simply fill the canisters higher. Voila! We achieved crystal clear water, at a fraction of the cost of new filters. What was interesting to us also was, only a very slight increase in operating pressure (well within normal). So, we have been sold on zeolite media ever since, and I am swapping out my old sand in my house filter soon. I don't think the pea gravel is needed, I would be worried about breaking one of the spindles in the collector pipe. Of course, we also installed an automated pH and ORP injector, which helps keep water balance, which ultimately is the key to clear water.

Anyway, don't shoot The Doctor!

Gil

[jaideeguy]

Lol. I can see nothing has changed on TV.

Anyway, we just finished the pool at View Talay 2, a massive pool that had serious filtration issues. Number 1 being, likely inadequate filtration capacity for that volume of water. Changing out the 6 filters though, would have been too $, and a hassle due to the entrance of the equipment room. We do know though, that zeolite has about 50% more filtering capacitiy than sand, so our idea was to increase filtration by using zeolite instead of sand and simply fill the canisters higher. Voila! We achieved crystal clear water, at a fraction of the cost of new filters. What was interesting to us also was, only a very slight increase in operating pressure (well within normal). So, we have been sold on zeolite media ever since, and I am swapping out my old sand in my house filter soon. I don't think the pea gravel is needed, I would be worried about breaking one of the spindles in the collector pipe. Of course, we also installed an automated pH and ORP injector, which helps keep water balance, which ultimately is the key to clear water.

Anyway, don't shoot The Doctor!

Gil

Not to doubt you Gil, but before you change your media to Zeobrite, you might want to read this link to a discussion on Zeobrite .....http://x.havuz.org/v...php?f=35&t=8415 and you might have 2nd thoughts about using it, as I did.

Oh and an update on my newly installed sand.....no real change and water is still green after running the pump for 36hrs. My next step will be to pick up some super shock chlorine and hit it hard, as I only have trichlor granule slow release and as the resident expert says on the discussion, there is a chemical that will reduce the phosphates but nothing to reduce the nitrogen. Read the discussion if you have time and let me know what you think.

[banglay]

Going of topic slightly > How often should I replace the sand in my filter ???? I read somewhere "every three 3 years"

cheers