When considering the Adirondack Line, those who lean towards the necessities that fulfill their desire for hot water relief, along with the added distinction of hydrotherapy that doesn't leave them wanting, will be the deciding factors. The path to the Adirondack Line provides a design with the proper environment for you and your family.

SAND FILTERS

Filter Media:

• #20 Silica Sand (45 mm - 55 mm)
• ZeoSand

Effective Filtration (microns): 20 - 25 microns

Sand filters use specially formulated #20 silica sand for pool filtration. Sand filters work by top-down-top filtering. Water is drawn in through the valve at the top of the filter (the multiport) and is diffused through a sand bed to pull out unwanted particulates. Once in the sand bed the clean water is picked up by the lateral assembly at the bottom and the cleaned water is shot up through the center of the filter and back out the multiport head. It is one of the earliest forms of water filtration that is still in use today.

Pros: Easier to maintain than other filters since cleaning involves turning a handle and letting the unit self-clean itself. "Forceful" return of water through the eyeball usually creates a decent current of water for good circulation.

Cons: Lowest in terms of filtrations (sand filters are not known for picking up the smallest microns of contaminants. Backwashing involves losing several hundreds of gallons of water per week (must clean once a week) and can put strain on limited water supplies (i.e. shallow wells).

Life Expectacny of Filter Media: Up to 5 years (highly recommended to be replaced once every year to limit the amount of contaminants being introduced into the pool from the previous season)

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FILTERS

Filter Media:

• Pool-grade Diatomaceous Earth
• Cellulose Fiber
• Volcanic powder

Effective Filtration (microns): 3 - 5 microns

Diatomaceous earth filters use fossilized phytoplankton called diatoms to filter your pool water. Most people call the filter media "earth" or "flour". DE filters work by sending the pool water in through the bottom of the filter tank; pass it through diatomaceous-coated fingers or grids; and then through the top of the filter.

Pros: Best filtration on the market; it will pull out particles twenty times smaller than the width of a human hair. Will clean the pool quicker than other filters as DE pulls out the smallest particulate. Doesn't need debris in the filter to increase filtration like sand.

Cons: Most expensive form of filtration. More moving parts than a sand filter or a cartridge filter. Can "plug up" frequently with enough contaminants/debris and must be chemically treated yearly for proper filtration.

Replace Media: Media must be replaced each time the filter is "bumped" and then backwashed. Since the powder is discharged in the backwash cycle, new media MUST be introduced into the system for proper filtration.

PLEATED CARTRIDGE FILTERS

Filter Media:

• Paper-type Cartridge

Effective Filtration (microns): 5 - 10 microns

Cartridge filters

Pros: Best filtration on the market; it will pull out particles twenty times smaller than the width of a human hair. Will clean the pool quicker than other filters as DE pulls out the smallest particulate. Doesn't need debris in the filter to increase filtration like sand.

Cons: Most expensive form of filtration. More moving parts than a sand filter or a cartridge filter. Can "plug up" frequently with enough contaminants/debris and must be chemically treated yearly for proper filtration.

Replace Media: Media must be replaced each time the filter is "bumped" and then backwashed. Since the powder is discharged in the backwash cycle, new media MUST be introduced into the system for proper filtration.