The pool industry has seen lots of visionary innovation. VS pumps are great, LED lights are cool, and we all appreciate a good ergonomic leaf net.
Recently, I came to the realization that I could no longer procrastinate a Sand Change for my 5-year old Hayward Sand Filter (S244T).
I was looking into some new innovations in filter sand; alternatives like FilterGlass and ZeoSand. That’s when I came across FilterBalls Blu10.
Are FilterBalls A Game-Changing Pool Product?
I’m usually quite skeptical, to the point of cynicism, and always hesitant to “experiment” with my pool in fear of creating more work for myself instead of practicing my cannonballs. After digging a little deeper though, I found some pretty impressive numbers and claims at FilterBalls.com.
First off, it’s going to be easier and less work the next time I open up my filter. At the time of reading that I had never changed the sand in a sand filter before (I’ll get to that…spoiler alert: it’s not fun) so these points mean much more to me now than they did a month ago.
I found FilterBalls to be super easy to manage, and it improved circulation and filtration, with lower filter pressure and higher flow rate.
• 100x lighter than sand filter media
• Just one pound of FilterBalls replaces 100 pounds of sand.
• Eliminate hauling and disposal of hundreds of pounds of sand.
Having just priced out how much it was going to cost to replace 250 lbs of sand for my sand filter. Mailing 250 lbs of anything is expensive, and I wasn’t thrilled about picking it up locally either. So cost was a big selling point:
- FilterBalls cost less than other sand alternatives
- One 1-lb bag of FilterBalls replaces 100 lbs of sand
- Saves Big on shipping costs
Reading on, I also discovered that FilterBalls are recyclable, are can make my other equipment last longer (from running less), which in turn is going to save energy. My much better half is an environmental scientist (and an even bigger skeptic), and I was excited to show her how I was going to save the world one FilterBall at a time. Or at least save us a few bucks over last year’s robust summer electric bill.
- More complete backwashing for longer filter cycles
- Lower system pressure than sand
- Higher flow rates than sand
- Removes particles down to 10 microns
Like any savvy shopper I tracked down as many reviews on FilterBalls as possible. I found stellar reviews and a handful of reviews that made me take pause. FilterBalls coming out of the backwash hose after backwashing and FilterBalls flying through the plumbing through the jets into the pool didn’t really make sense to me. From the most logical of perspectives, FilterBalls are much larger than grains of sand. They are slightly smaller than a baseball. The only way that a FilterBall could find it’s way outside of your filter tank would be if the standpipe wasn’t properly attached.
3 Pounds Of FilterBalls, Please… Express Delivery
When the surprisingly small box arrived at my doorstep, I thought there had to be a mistake. For one, the box was so light it felt like it was empty, and it was even harder to imagine hauling 250 lbs of sand from my doorstep to my pool filter. I confused the heck out of the delivery guy by explaining to him how lucky he was because this box (as I tossed the box from one hand to the other) could’ve weighed 250 lbs! Now all I had to do was drain the filter, pull off the multiport valve, and scoop out the slimy sand from my filter tank. Ugh.
So, There’s No Easier Way To Do This, Huh?
In my 5 years of owning my sand filter I knew that this day would come. I dreaded it. I blew it off for a year. I blamed my pump for the poor water flow. I told myself the vacuuming suction was always this weak, that’s just the way it is. The pool was always kinda murky, never crystal clear. Those nights of marveling at my nearly invisible pool water were embellishments of my imagination.
I had almost done it all in the realm of pool maintenance, and I was ready as I was ever going to be to change my filter media for the first time…all greasy, milky, sewage-y, 250 lbs of wet filter sand. Ugh.
For the sake of science and for pool owners everywhere, I wanted to first benchmark my own flow rate and filter pressure, before changing from sand to FilterBALLS.
Using a Doppler Flow Meter shown here, and my existing pressure gauge on my Hayward S244T Pro Series the old filter sand was operating at:
- 20 psi
- 38.3 gpm
Bear in mind this is after 10 days of enzymes and sand filter cleaner and other effort to prolong the inevitable sand change.
With the FilterBalls installed, replacing the filter sand, the readings were:
- 16 psi
- 42.9 gpm
A lower operating pressure with a higher flow! Not staggering numbers but to be fair, my Hayward Super Pump (1.5 HP) struggles with my small plumbing system. The FilterBalls have been reviewed as a perfect match for a Variable Speed Pump, and when working in tandem they have potential to deliver an even higher level of energy efficiency.
The FilterBalls website says that you can run the pump up to 50% less. Running my pump half the time but achieving better results would surely make me a loyal FilterBalls customer for life. Actually, scooping the rancid sand out of my filter tank for 1-1/2 hrs, scoop by slimy scoop was enough to make me a fan, but optimal clarity and minimal electricity would be the cannonball on top.
Less Chemical Usage, Smaller Electrical Bill
Okay, so I haven’t received my new electric bill this month yet. But it doesn’t take Nikola Tesla to do the math when you are running your pool pump 25 hours less a week. The routine before FilterBalls was to run the pump during the day, 8am – 6pm roughly, or 10 hrs. per day.
Now, my pump is running (most days) on my pump timer from 6-9am, and 6-9pm, a reduction of 40%, and running when the electricity costs less, off-peak. Our pool-guy editor (Hi, Davy), tells me that this is not enough filtering, 6 hrs per day, especially come August – but you should see how good the water looks after nearly 2 weeks of 6 hr days. We will see how well FilterBalls work overall, when I report my findings near the end of the season.
The FilterBalls Blu10 were officially in action at 12:30 pm on Saturday the 10th of June. By Monday night I was calling for my girlfriend to come out and see what a clear pool really looks like. She didn’t come out. But she appreciated my enthusiasm…I think.
Over the last 12 days I have added only my trusty enzyme Pool First Aid and a treatment of PhosFree, to combat an issue with some soil that washed into the pool, and I’ve shocked once. The pool looks the best it’s looked in years, and the pump (or filter?) is much quieter when it is operating, a significant noise reduction in fact.
In the past, I typically have to fight off cloudy water every other week or so. We’ll see how it goes through the summer, but so far things look great. Stand by for my follow-up report on FilterBalls at season’s end.
Where Do I See Myself Five Years From Now?
When I ask myself this question in regards to the inevitable day when these FilterBalls will need to be replaced by the next generation of FilterBalls, I can tell you much more easily and quite clearly – where I DON’T see myself:
- I don’t see myself slowly chaffing away my skin with sandy sludge full of who knows what type of bacteria
- I don’t see myself trying to salvage my laterals from tiny little grains of sand that have clogged the water flow for five years
- I won’t be careening a wheelbarrow filled with hundreds of lbs of wet sand (it’s way heavier wet!) throughout my yard
- I don’t see myself buying bottle after bottle of Sand Filter Cleaner in hopes of squeezing a little more life out of the sand
So, do FilterBalls work? The results have been great for me, but in all fairness to you, our loyal In the Swim Blog Reader and fellow pool owner, it’s only 12 days into this romance, but I am thoroughly enjoying the honeymoon.
However, at this early stage I can certainly vouch for this much: FilterBalls are easier to manage, increase your flow rates and lower your filter pressure and they cost less than DE, Cartridges, or other filter sand replacements. And so far, or at least until it gets really hot and not counting stormy days or heavy use when I run the pump longer, I’m reducing my daily energy use by about 40%.
And with the money I will saved from my significantly smaller electric bill (TBD) and less trips to the In The Swim Store for clarifier, I will buy this variable speed Superpump which will use even less energy, saving me more money and making the world a greener, better place. 🙂
Check back in a few months, to read how the rest of the summer turned out.
Have you tried FilterBalls Blu10 in your sand filter? Leave a Reply below, we love to hear from our In the Swim Pool Community!
Hello Davy, Can this filter media be used in cartridge filter set ups?
Hi Ludovic, no they can only be used in sand filter tanks
Can filter balls be used with a salt water set up?
Yes, FilterBalls work in saltwater pools without issue.
What needs to be done with these balls when u close the pool for the winter? I am in NE PA
Hi Ellen, nothing, just drain the tank and they just sit there during winter, just like sand.
Hi I purchased ball last year and they worked great. In fortunately last season I didn’t get to store my filter properly and left ball and dirty water in filter. Can they be cleaned or will a backwash be enough
Hi John, I don’t think that will be an issue if you left water in the filter all winter, or shut down the pool without backwashing. Start ‘er up and give it a good backwash, should be good to go!
Hi Davy. We’re installing our first above ground pool and discovered filter balls through internet schooling. But there is really not a lot of info out there. I’m attracted to the fact they’re so light, filter down to 5 microns and lessen the load on the pump. My reservation is that it seems like a lot of expense for “cotton balls”. Can you tell me if all poly balls are made equal? I realize you’re supporting FilterBalls Blu-10, but have you compared them to other brands or have you found other brands to stay away from? Or what to look for in a quality product?
HI Dawn, to be honest I have not looked at any other poly ball products, or done any comparison testing. I also don’t have any real understanding of the science and materials behind the product, we only did an isolated test with one of our bloggers home sand filters. He was happy with them, and still is to my knowledge, several seasons later.
How long do filter balls last ,do they have to be replaced yearly if not how often
Hi Tom, these are a relatively new product, so there is not years of data to use, but the manufacturer says they last as long as sand (5-7 yrs). I suppose it depends on situational variables, much like sand. If the flow rate is not higher than the filter recommends, and if the pool does not suffer repeated bouts of algae every year, they should give at least 5 yrs of service.
Hi! Do you know if the Aquafill pool Pill can be used with this media? It says not to use clarifier with the filterballs? Thanks!!
Hi, if you are talking about the Winter Pill, that is an enzyme formula, not a clarifier, although it may have small amounts of clarifier in the formula. I would think that would be OK to use during winter. A clarifier that could be used with FilterBalls I would think, would be SeaKlear 4-in-1 treatment with Chitin, using it sparingly, or per label instructions.
We ne.are very interested. Is it compatible with Bromine pools instead of Chlorine? Thank you in advance
Hi Dale, yes filterballs can be used with bromine or chlorine pools.
I’m replacing my intex type B filter cartridge with filterballs. I’ve arranged it so that the filterballs won’t get sucked into the pump outlet. My question is, should the filter balls be packed tight or loosely?
Thanks
Hi Sam, you are putting Filterballs into a cartridge filter? Normally used only in sand filters, but I guess you have a screen so that they will stay put, as you mention… hmmm – that’s a new one for me. I would pack them in, so the filter chamber is almost full. When flow slows down, pull them all out and hose them off, or soak them, or both to clean them every … month or as needed. Let us know how it works! Interesting idea! – Davy
Can the media be used in conjunction with air scouring in the pool filter. We inject air into the laterials when we bachwash. Will that have ant affect on the media
Hi Clarence, Air Scouring, that’s something new, sounds awesome. Not sure how it will work with FilterBalls, air scouring, may not have been tested yet.
I have replaced the sand with filter balls.WOW, what a difference in water clarity, replace the sand, it’s a no brainer.
Hello! I am trying to convince my skeptical husband to use these when we receive the new Intex 3000 saltwater setup we just ordered. Do they work well with saltwater?
Hi Teresa, yes these work with saltwater pools, no difference between saltwater and non-salt pools
Hello, I want to make the switch but I’m not sure of how much I need. My Hayward pump and filter are small and only require 50# of sand for my oval pool. I’ve read that I should use the mini filterballs. Do they work as well? Or should I get the regular filterballs? Thanks!!
Hi Kathy, the minis are best for smaller filters, and I would use two bags, on such a small tank (or the equivalent to 100 lbs of sand), to provide better filtration, and longer filter cycles.
Can you use filter balls with an intex sand filter? I have used glass the last several years and it is time to change it. I would really like to use these if they would work.
Hi Jo, yes you can use Filterballs in any sand filter, large or small! Let us know how they work out for you!
Can you use filter balls in your sand filter when you use peroxide base chemicals instead of chlorine?
Hi Char, I asked the manufacturer, if they have experience using FilterBalls with a biguanide based sanitizer (AquaSilk, Baquacil, Revacil, SoftSwim), and they did not have any test data to share, but if you would like to be an informal test subject 🙂 I don’t think you would regret it, since replacing the gunky biguanide filter sand is the worst, but FilterBall replacement is really easy. My expectation is that the balls would last as long as filter sand in a biguanide pool, probably longer, because you can more easily clean the filter with a Filter Cleaner. So if you do it, we can write about your experiences! Email me if interested!
I am getting ready to open up the pool and would like to try the filter balls with my Bacquacil chemical based pool. I sent you my first comment in September of 2018. Have you had anyone else use the filter balls with the peroxide base chemicals yet!
Thanks,
Char
Hi Char, not yet! Or not that I have heard, maybe the filterballs people know of someone (you could contact them to ask). For those that don’t know, the main problem with Baquacil or Aqua Silk (biguanide based, non-chlorine sanitizers) is that it ‘gums-up’ pool filters. Completely clogs cartridge filters and de grids. Sand is the best filter to use with Biguanides – but it too clogs up within 1-2 seasons. Filter Cleaners can help if used regularly, but not perfectly. Sand changes every 2-3 years are the norm. Now filterballs, would they gunk-up as much? My guess is… the polyester balls would gum-up worse than sand, but may release it better during backwash?
I also have the hydrogen peroxide (Soft Swim) system for my pool. I’ve just opened the pool with the new blue balls. I’ve added a few chemicals except anything that was a clarifier. Hope I didn’t mess anything up. I can’t find anyone to talk to about what I can or can’t use. If anyone has an answer, please let me know.
Thanks,
Patti C
Hi Patti, I am interested to hear how the Filterballs does with a biguanide system, which is known for ‘gumming-up’ pool filter media. When using a biguanide, you must avoid any chlorinated products, but other chemicals are not usually a problem, with some exception. I think that Clarifiers and Algaecides are generally okay.
Hi Davy. The blue balls I used were Luster Blue. Everywhere in the box, & all the research I did say NO CLARIFIERS. I added a sanitizer, & algicide. The water looks clean, but not clear yet. I’ll keep you posted on what works, & what doesn’t. Thanks
Patti
Can I use this instead of sand in my Hayward TR100c filter?
Thank you
Cindy
Hi Cindy, yes you can – it is meant as a substitute for regular filter sand.
will this product last for commercial use? Hotel use that is.
Thank you
Cindy
Hi Cindy, sure I don’t suppose there is much difference for residential vs commercial pools – unless you have hoards of kids in the pool, which can overwhelm any filter media type. You can always use more filterballs than are needed, adding an extra bag or two – a feature that I really like – you can’t add more sand than is recommended, but you can add more filterballs without a problem. I think they would do very well in most commercial pool settings, although I don’t have direct experience with that…
Hi Cindy,
FilterBalls are used in commercial hotels. Most hotels require an independent certification to National Standards Foundation/ANSI standards. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has certified that Filterballs meets required standards for public pools and potable water!
With filter balls, are the laterals even necessary? I have several broken and they appear to be designed for the sandy environment.
Interesting thought! I suppose that yes, they are necessary, but small cracks may not matter, when using filterballs. But if not used at all, or if cracked in half, that would likely cause some problems with balanced flow rates thru the tank, and would not be good.
Hi John,
Laterals are easily broken or cracked when maintaining very heavy sand. You should always replace broken or cracked laterals to keep sandy grit or any other filter media from passing through your pumps, lines and pool. FilterBalls are lightweight and should all but eliminate problems with breakage.
Well you have completed the 2017 season, any update? What’s the verdict?
Hi Ken, the verdict is…. filterBalls work great! We did write a follow up post, I see we never linked it to this post ~ will do. Thanks for asking!
Thank you for posting your review. Very informative for me. I have a question for you: Did you consider Glass Pack or Filter Glass?8
Hi Nelson, yes we did consider FilterGlass, which has great reviews, and from what I hear, is also much better than regular filter sand. Zeosand is also popular with users, and has the unique ability to remove ammonia and chloramines from the water.