A lot of folks seem to be confused about which filter will work best for their swimming pool. There is no one simple answer for that question, but the more you understand about swimming pool filters the better decision you can make.

There are three main types of swimming pool filters and they are sand, cartridge, or diatomaceous earth. Actually, any of the three will do a fine job of filtering your pool, but there are advantages and disadvantages for each of them. Let's see what they are.

Sand filters -- these are very simple filters that use a layer of sand that the swimming pool water is pumped through to clean and filter out impurities from the water. The dirty water goes in one side and it comes out clean on the other side of the filter. Eventually, the filter gets plugged though and will have to be backwashed to remove the debris. Often this has to be done every couple of weeks or so.

Cartridge filters -- these are perhaps the easiest to understand and use. They work much the same way that an oil filter does for your car's engine. The dirty water goes into the filter, passes through the filter material, deposits the debris on the material, and then exits back to the pool. Some cartridges must have their filter material replaced every few weeks or so, and others can be cleaned only once or twice a season and then reused.

Diatomaceous earth -- this filter is considered the best water polisher of the three filters mentioned. The tiny diatoms can filter out debris as small as 5 microns from your water, making it an excellent cleaner. Similar to the sand filter, the diatomaceous earth filter must be backwashed every so often when the pressure rises in the filter. The old diatomaceous earth is washed away, and the new earth is applied by you to the filter through the pool skimmer.

So what is the best swimming pool filter for you? Well that all the depends on several factors. What is most important to you? If you want low maintenance of a pool filter, then the cartridge filter is what you should go for. If you want an absolutely reliable, long-lasting filter, then the sand filter may be your best choice. If on the other hand, having the cleanest water possible is a high priority for you, then the diatomaceous earth filter just simply can't be beat. And keep in mind that you can add diatomaceous earth to both the sand filter and a cartridge filter to improve their water cleaning capabilities without causing any problems in the process too.

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand a little bit more about the different kinds of swimming pool filters that are available, how they work, and what you can expect from each one. By examining the features listed above you should be able to decide which swimming pool filter will work best for you.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find out more about swimming pool designs and swimming pool safety covers by visiting our Home Improvement website.