Pool Filter Balls perform better than sand in a pool sand filter for a number of reasons.
Firstly, they filter particles down to as low as 5 or 10 microns which is as good as any cartridge filter and better than most sand filters. This leaves your pool water sparkling clean and better for your family’s health.
Pool filter balls are lightweight and much easier to purchase, handle and dispose of than sand.
However, the reason I like most is that filter balls reduce the workload on your pump and filtration system. It’s far easier for a pump to push water through lightweight filter balls than heavy wet sand. That allows the tank pressure to be lower and the water flow rate higher. Water flow around your pool is much better. And this reduces the amount of power required to operate the pool pump saving you money and prolonging the life of your filtration system.
Pool filter balls are the eco-friendly alternative to sand as they can be washed, reused, recycled and disposed in an environmentally friendly manner.
Table of Contents
What are Pool Filter Balls?
Pool filter balls are polyethylene fibre media that replace sand in a pool sand filter. They are very lightweight and come in a bag that can be delivered by post. Try that with a bag of sand!
Sand is a good filter media but polyethylene filter balls are better at trapping dirt and debris in the filter tank at lower pressure.
Why are Pool Filter Balls Better than Sand?
Filter Balls have many advantages over traditional sand-based filter media.
Obviously, filter balls are very lightweight and easier to handle than heavy wet sand. They are easy to purchase online and have delivered to your home as there is little weight. And they cost slightly less than bags of sand.
When using pool filter balls it’s much easier to fill and empty the filter tank.
The polyethylene media captures finer particles than sand (down to 10 microns) leaving the water crystal clear. This allows the filter to operate at lower pressure as water can more easily move through the filter balls than through sand. As a result, the pressure gauge remains low for longer resulting in less requirement to backwash the filter which saves water.
The lower tank pressure results in a higher flow rate with a strong water pressure stream at the return jets. This gives better water circulation around the pool and the vacuum suction pressure is strong making cleaning the pool easier.
Now you can operate the filter less hours per day resulting in electricity savings.
The higher flow rate results in less strain on the pump motor and the whole filtration system. Now there is less filter and pump noise.
Filter balls are more environmentally economical as they can be cleaned and recycled. Simply wash them in the washing machine and use again. Try that with sand!
And when you want to dispose of the filter balls simply put them in the garbage.
If you live in a cold climate where you need to winterize your pool you will appreciate how easier filter balls make preparing the filter for winter. Water drains from the tank more quickly than with sand and it’s easy to remove the filter balls. No more damp sand freezing and expanding in the filter tank causing damage.
As you can see from above, there are really no negatives of using filter balls. It’s like changing an old incandescent light bulb to a LED bulb. The result is better and you’ll save money.
Do Pool Filter Balls Work?
Yes!
The vast majority of people that try filter balls are happy with the change and never go back to sand. They claim their pool water looks and feels cleaner and clearer with filter balls.
We highly recommend you try filter balls in your sand filter tank the next time you change the sand.
Here are some more advantages of filter balls:
- Fibre filter balls are very tough and are not affected by pool chemicals.
- They don’t clump or harden up with dirt like sand.
- The balls are non-abrasive in the tank so won’t damage the standpipe and laterals.
- Allows the filtration system to operate at a lower pressure with less resistance so it’s easier for the pump to push water through the tank when using fibre filter balls than sand.
- The pump motor runs quieter, is never strained and will last longer.
- The lower pressure makes the filter more efficient reducing electricity usage and your pool’s operating expenses.
- There is less requirement to backwash the filter saving water and your time.
- You won’t get any more sand in your pool from a leaking filter lateral.
How To Change from Sand to Filter Balls
Refer to our article on How to Change Pool Filter Sand
How To Clean Filter Balls
Pool filter balls can be removed from the filter tank and placed in a normal laundry washing machine. I recommend using few laundry bags to contain them. Add a standard dose of laundry liquid or powder and wash like a load of clothes. Make sure they have been through the rinse cycle twice as you don’t want any detergent residue in the filter media. Otherwise, you will have suds and bubbles in your pool.
Place the clean filter balls back in the filter tank and they are good for many years.
How Often Do You Clean Pool Filter Balls?
Filter balls can be washed in the washing machine every two or three years as required. Usually, after two washes you would replace the filter balls with new ones.
How to Install Pool Filter Balls?
Empty your filter tank of sand and wash it out.
Insert some filter balls into the bottom of the tank to the level of where the laterals will sit.
Reinstall the standpipe and laterals.
Simply push the filter balls into the tank to the desired level.
Re-attach the top, multiport valve and plumbing.
How Long Do Pool Filter Balls Last?
Pool filter balls can last a long time. I have heard of people using them for at least six years and some ten years. Most manufacturers will recommend 5 or 6 years then replace with new.
How Many Filter Balls Do I Need?
Usually 2 to 4 bags depending on the size of the filter tank. As a rough guide you use one bag of filter balls to replace one bag of sand. So if you used 3 bags of sand last time, use 3 bags of filter balls to replace the sand.
Filter Ball Problems
I have never encountered any problems with the use of pool filter balls.
I have read about a pool owner reporting after backwashing some filter balls becoming jammed into the bottom of the multiport valve which prevented the filter working properly. This appears to be a rare issue and really depends on the model of your valve and whether there are small spaces where filter balls may be squashed into. I would be very surprised if the balls damaged the valve.
Conclusion
While you are changing your filter sand, you may as well replace the sand with filter balls. This is the modern upgrade for filter sand. Many pool owners are able to reduce their pump time by 20% due to the increased water flow rate into the pool. And the less time you run the pump the more electricity you save.
Another added use for filter balls is to drop half a dozen balls into the skimmer basket to capture dirt particles before they reach the filter. And it’s dead easy to remove them, give them a rinse and put them back in the skimmer. This works almost as well as a skimmer basket filter sock.