Sand Filter vs Cartridge Filter vs DE Filter — Which Pool Filter is Best?

The filter is your pool's kidney. It removes particles, debris, and contaminants from the water before they build up and cause problems. ## Sand Filters — The Egyptian Standard Sand filters push water through a bed of silica sand that traps particles as small as 20–40 microns. When the sand becomes clogged, you backwash the filter. - Best for: All Egyptian residential and commercial pools - Maintenance: Backwash every 2–4 weeks. Replace sand every 5–7 years - Waterstar range: Filament-wound sand filters in 20", 24", 30", 36", and 42" diameters - Selection guide: 20" for pools up to 35 m³, 24" up to 55 m³, 30" up to 85 m³, 36" up to 140 m³, 42" for larger commercial pools ## Cartridge Filters — Low Maintenance Cartridge filters use a pleated polyester element that captures particles down to 10–15 microns. - Best for: Smaller residential pools where water conservation is important - Maintenance: Rinse cartridge every 2–4 weeks. Replace cartridge annually ## Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filters — Finest Filtration DE filters use fossilized diatom powder to filter particles as small as 3–5 microns. - Best for: High-end residential pools, hotel pools, and crystal-clear water applications - Maintenance: More complex. Requires adding DE powder after each backwash ## Waterstar's Recommendation For the overwhelming majority of Egyptian pools, the Waterstar filament-wound sand filter is the optimal choice. It is durable, easy to maintain, and designed for local water conditions and climate.