How does pool filtration actually work?

Water is drawn from your pool through the skimmer box and main drain, pushed through the filter by the pump to remove debris, then returned to the pool through the return jets. This cycle runs for several hours a day, continuously clearing the water rather than cleaning it all at once.

How often do I need to backwash or clean my filter?

This depends on filter type and how much your pool is used, but a sand filter is generally backwashed every few weeks, or whenever the pressure gauge reads noticeably higher than normal. A cartridge filter is typically hosed off on a similar schedule and fully cleaned a few times a season.

What is the difference between a sand filter and a cartridge filter?

A sand filter uses a bed of specialised sand as the filtering material and is cleaned by backwashing, reversing water flow to flush debris to waste. A cartridge filter uses a removable pleated element that is hosed clean rather than backwashed, and generally needs replacing less often than sand media, though the cartridge itself costs more to replace than a bag of filter sand.

What size pump and filter does my pool need?

Sizing depends on your pool’s total water volume and how many hours a day you want the system to run, known as your pool’s turnover rate. An undersized system will struggle to keep water clear, while an oversized one wastes electricity, so we calculate this specifically for your pool rather than applying a generic rule of thumb.

Why has my pump lost prime, and what do I do about it?

A pump loses prime when air enters the system, usually from a low water level, a loose lid seal, or a leak on the suction side of the plumbing. Topping up the water level and checking the pump lid seal resolves most cases, but a pump that keeps losing prime is usually a sign of an air leak worth having checked properly.

Pool filtration - ACT Pools

What is included.

Pumps

Your pump is what actually moves water through the filter, so its size and type matter as much as the filter itself. A variable speed pump can run at a lower speed for most of the day and only step up when needed, which uses considerably less electricity than a single speed pump running at full power around the clock. We size your pump to your pool's volume and plumbing, rather than defaulting to whatever is easiest to install.

Filters

Sand filters and cartridge filters both do the same basic job, catching debris and keeping water clear, but they work differently day to day. A sand filter is cleaned by backwashing, reversing the water flow to flush trapped debris out to waste, and the sand media is generally replaced every five to seven years. A cartridge filter uses a removable element that is hosed off periodically and replaced every few years, with no backwashing required. We talk you through which suits your pool and how hands on you want to be.

Sanitisation

Keeping water sanitised is a separate job from filtering out debris, and most Canberra pools use either a salt chlorinator or manually dosed chlorine. A salt chlorinator converts dissolved salt into chlorine automatically, which suits owners who want a more hands off routine, while manual dosing gives more direct control over chemical levels for a lower upfront cost. We can talk through both options as part of your build.

Ongoing filter care

A filtration system is not something you install and forget. Sand filters need periodic backwashing, cartridge filters need periodic cleaning, and every system benefits from an occasional check of pressure gauges and connections. We walk every new owner through this routine at handover, and can also service your system on an ongoing basis if you would rather we handle it.