The Best Swimming Pool Filter? What Does Best Mean?

Define Best for my Swimming Pool!
Now with that background, which filter is best? I often use this question to gauge who I am talking to in a pool store. Just ask: “Which filter is best� and then listen for the answer. There is only one correct answer to that question: can you please define best? If the answer is any of the three, someone is trying to simply sell you something.
* If you want bulletproof ‫ sand is a great choice.
* Low maintenance would lead one to cartridge.
* The cleanest water might lead you to DE.
* All filters work.
* You can add a little DE to a sand or cartridge filter to increases its ability to filter small particles.
* Flocculants can be added to the pool water to create big particles out of small particles (think ‫ flocks of birds are easier to see).
* Cartridges that become fouled can be replaced.
My recommendations? I would go with a high-end cartridge filter.
The reason is that no one really wants to have another item on the to-do list and good cartridge filter can last a season. Be sure that you:
* Plumb a line into the drain port with a ball valve, so that you can bypass the filter when you are vacuuming the pool to waste.
* Use a little DE powder (1 or 2 coffee cans full in the skimmer) to really polish the water or just add a flocculent every now and then.
* Take a look at the filter housing design. You may want to consider how easy the filter is to access and clean.
* Keep in mind that the more square feet of cartridge, the less often you touch it.
* Never use a car wash wand to wash the filter. A hose with a sprayer will work fine.