Did you know that you can increase the disinfection capacity of your filter while saving money?

The filter load is the basic material used by all filters. There are many types: sand (the most common), glass, zeobrite (or zeolite depending on the brand), fibre, etc. However, choosing the filter media is often not an easy task.

• The most common is sand, the problem is that it cakes and remains solid as a stone, damaging the filter and the whole circuit. Ideally, it should be changed every 4-5 years.
• In recent years, glass has become fashionable, a material that lasts forever, does not need to be changed (only topped up a little every 3-4 years) and ensures an increase in disinfection capacity. In addition, different variants have been added, such as AFM glass or even the new NG glass (even thinner), which increase the disinfection capacity using a smaller amount of product.
• Finally, we have fossil microorganisms through brands such as Zeobrite or Zeolite, which is the material with the highest disinfection capacity on the market, using literally half the amount of product.

However, the prices* of the bags must be taken into account:

• Sand bag (25kg) = 15.10€/bag incl. VAT.
• ECO glass bag (25kg) = 19.50€/bag incl. VAT.
• AFM glass bag (25kg). 15% less product is used than indicated by the filter = 44.00€/bag incl. VAT.
• Zeolite bag (25kg). 50% less product is used than indicated by the filter = 46.5€/bag incl. VAT.

Is it then worthwhile to change the filter load or to use other materials than sand, which is the cheapest? Let's have a look at the following table.

*Prices 2022	Size (mm )	Load (Kg )	Sand			ECO glass			AFM glass (15% less product)			Zeolite (50% less product)
			Sacks	Price	Total	Sacks	Price	Total	Sacks	Price	Total	Sacks	Price	Total
Aster 99 laminated filter - Astralpool	500 ø	90	4	15.1	60.40€	4	19.5	78€	4	44	176€	2	46.5	93€
	600 ø	125	5	15.1	75.50€	5	19.5	97.50€	5	44	220€	3	46.5	139.50€
	750 ø	305	13	15.1	196.30€	13	19.5	253.50€	11	44	484€	6	46.5	279€
			Changes every 4-5 years to prevent solidification			No changes, only refill every 3-4 years

*

• In terms of value for money, having the most important filter load on the market is a very important aspect to take into account.

• If we compare Zeolite with sand, it is true that Zeolite is more expensive but you do not have to change it, you only have to refill it, therefore, in the long run it is the more economical option.

• If we compare it with glass (and its variants such as AFM) it is clear that the option would be ECO, however, if we were to place Eco glass and Zeolite in the boxing ring, the quality of Zeolite is unparalleled.