Silica sand and diatomaceous earth are two common materials used in pool maintenance for water filtration. Both are porous materials used as filter media in swimming pool filters.
Silica sand is a type of sand composed of small particles of silica. It is commonly used as a filter medium in sand filters, which are most commonly used in residential pools. Silica sand is placed in the filter tank and the pool water is passed through it. The larger particles are trapped in the upper part of the sand, while the smaller ones are trapped in the lower layers. Silica sand needs to be replaced from time to time, generally every 3-5 years, depending on usage and water quality.
Diatoms are a porous material made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of single-celled algae. It is used as a filter medium in diatomaceous earth filters, which are most commonly used in commercial or public swimming pools. The diatomaceous earth is placed in a filter tank and the pool water is passed through it. Diatomaceous earth is capable of filtering out even the smallest particles, making it very effective in removing impurities from water. However, diatomaceous earth must be replaced and reclaimed more frequently than silica sand.
