Cartridge Filters
Cartridge filters trap debris in pleated fabric elements. They filter finely, use no backwash water, which matters in the desert, and are simple to maintain. Cleaning means pulling the cartridges and hosing them off.
The tradeoff is that cartridges wear out and need replacing every few years, and in a high-debris yard they need cleaning more often. For most residential Tucson pools they are our default recommendation.
DE Filters
Diatomaceous earth filters deliver the finest filtration of the three, which produces noticeably clearer water. They are backwashed and recharged with fresh DE powder, and the grids need a full teardown cleaning periodically.
DE is the most maintenance-intensive option and the backwash water has to go somewhere. It suits owners who want the clearest possible water and a service that handles the upkeep.
Sand Filters
Sand filters are simple and durable. Water passes through a bed of sand, and maintenance is a backwash when pressure rises. The sand itself lasts years.
The downside is coarser filtration and water lost to backwashing. In Tucson, where water is expensive and fine dust is constant, sand is usually the third choice for a residential pool.
How We Decide With You
We look at your pool volume, plumbing, the debris load in your yard and how the pool is used. The filter is sized generously, since an undersized filter runs at high pressure and shortens the life of everything around it.
Whatever you choose gets plumbed cleanly and photographed so you can see exactly what was installed.
Key Takeaways
- Cartridge: fine filtration, no backwash, our usual pick.
- DE: clearest water, most maintenance.
- Sand: simplest, coarsest, uses water to backwash.
- Size the filter generously for your pool volume.
