Filter Sizing - Pool & Spa News

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From: Pool and Spa News 2002
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Posted on: January 1, 2002

Filter Sizing
Selecting the best filter for your pool is found in the equations.
A good filtration system for a pool or spa depends
on your ability to properly size and select the filter.
To accomplish that, you must calculate the
vessels volume, capacity and flow rates, and
some other key factors including the type of

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pump. After all, the filter fits into the equipment

Different strokes: The first step in filter sizing is to
calculate the pool volume, based on the pools shape.
An irregular pool (above) requires a different formula
than a rectangle (below).

sequence after the pump, so regardless of

whether youre replacing an old filter or installing a
filter on a brand-new pool or spa, youll need to
match the filter to the pump and the size of the
vessel.

1. FIGURE OUT THE VOLUME

The first step in finding the correct filter model is to
determine how much water has to be filtered. Here
are some simple formulas and techniques to use
when calculating the volume of a swimming pool:

Different strokes: The first step in filter sizing is to

calculate the pool volume, based on the pools shape.
An irregular pool (above) requires a different formula
than a rectangle (below).

Rectangular pool: length x width x average depth

= pool volume
Circular pool: radius x radius x 3.14 (pi) x average
depth = pool volume
Oval pool: 1/2length x 1/2width x 3.14 (pi) x
average depth = pool volume

Irregular shapes: For pools that are not truly

rectangular, circular or oval, calculate the volume using the following method:
Make a scale drawing of the pool on a piece of square-grid graph paper, with each square representing
one square foot. (Note: The drawing can be made to any scale you want as long as you keep it uniform.)
Now count the number of squares. Dont forget to estimate how many complete squares all of the
partially filled squares would amount to. That gives you a close estimate of the pools area in square feet.
Multiply the area by the approximate average depth of the pool, and you will find the volume in cubic feet.

2. CALCULATE THE CAPACITY

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Capacity is defined as the number of gallons of water that the pool will hold (as opposed to volume,
which is a spatial measurement).
Capacity formula: Pool volume x 7.48 = pool capacity in gallons
Example: Say you have a rectangular pool that is 40 feet long and 20 feet wide, with an average depth of
5 feet. First youd need to figure out the pool volume, so simply plug these numbers into the volume
equation and multiply: 40 x 20 x 5 = 4,000 cubic feet (pool volume).

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Now plug the volume into the capacity equation and multiply: 4,000 x 7.48 = 29,920 gallons (the pools
capacity).

3. FIND THE FLOW RATE

The flow rate is the volume of water flowing past a given point during a specific period of time, measured
in gallons per minute (gpm) or gallons per hour (gph).
Flow rate formula:
Capacity turnover time (in hours) = flow rate per hour
Flow rate per hour 60 = flow rate per minute
Example: Say you want to set up the pool to have an 8-hour turnover rate. The equation to find the flow
rate for a 29,920-gallon pool (regardless of its shape) is: 29,920 8 = 3,740 gph.

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To calculate the flow rate per minute in this case: 3,740 60 = 62.3. Thats the rate at which youd want
the filter to work.

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Stating this situation another way, the calculations for your 29,920-gallon pool show that you require a
flow rate of 62.3 gpm to filter the pools capacity in eight hours. Therefore, your goal is to determine
which model of filter can handle 62.3 gallons of water per minute resulting in the desired complete
turnover every eight hours.

4. DETERMINE THE FILTER FLOW RATE

Next, determine if the filter you want to use can handle the flow rate you require. The filter flow rate is
defined as the amount of water filtered over a given period of time, expressed in gallons per minute.
Filter flow rate formula: Filter area x filter rate = filter flow rate in gpm.
The filter area is the surface area of the filter medium. It is measured in square feet. The filter rate is
the number of gallons of water that flows through one square foot of effective filter medium per minute
during the operation of the circulation system.
Example: Say you have a filter area of 5 square feet and a filter rate of 12.5 gpm. (These numbers are
based on a model of sand filter.) To calculate the filter flow rate: 5 x 12.5 = 62.5 gpm. Thats awfully close
to the desired flow rate of 62.3 in the example of Step 3.
Tip: If determining the filter flow rate seems a bit daunting, just get both figures the filter area and rate
from the manufacturer. With their figures, youll be better able to select the correct filter to suit your
needs.

5. MAKE YOUR FILTER CHOICE

Do you prefer sand, diatomaceous earth or cartridge filters? Pressure or vacuum filters? If you have
narrowed your filter choice down to a preferred manufacturer, it will make it even easier to perform your
calculations and select a filter that will do the job.
The example weve been using refers to characteristics of a sand filter. Its important to note that both DE
and cartridge filters have notably lower filter rates. (Typically, high-rate sand models filter water at a rate
of 20 gpm per square foot, DE models work at 2 gpm/sq.ft. and cartridge units at 1 gpm/sq.ft.)
Nevertheless, the mathematical relationships between filter area, filter rate and filter flow rate will remain
the same.

6. OVERSIZE THE FILTER

Thats right. When matched with the proper pump, you can and should oversize the filter. Why? Because
a larger filter area will lower the flow rate per square foot of media, enabling the filter to capture even
more debris and thus increase the filters efficiency.
Filters that are larger than indicated by our calculations of flow requirements are particularly necessary
for pools that get heavy use (such as commercial pools) and for backwashing (because the filter requires
additional size for backwashing).
How oversizing works: Referring back to our earlier example, you could either select a model with a
larger filter area or a model with an increased filter rate. To allow for debris buildup and backwashing,
you might select a model with a filter area of 5 square feet and a filter rate of 20 gpm. That would yield a
filter flow rate of 100 gpm well beyond the desired rate of 62.3. Alternatively, you could choose a filter
with 4 square feet of filter area and a filter rate of 25 gpm per square foot.
Note: If you size your sand or DE filter too large, there wont be enough pressure to backwash it clean.
So, be sure to maintain the necessary backwash flow.

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7. LIMIT THE FILTER RATE AND ADJUST THE FILTER AREA

In many cities and counties, filter rates on pools are regulated. NSF International sets maximum filter
rates to ensure effective filtration because the faster the water passes through the medium, the less
effectively it is cleaned.
Filter rate ceilings are imposed most often for commercial facilities. If this is the case where you live, you
may have to compensate by selecting a model with a larger filter area. By doing so, you can achieve the
same flow rate without exceeding the maximum filter rate.

8. SELECT THE CORRECT FILTER

Taking all the above calculations and factors into consideration, youre now ready to select the proper
filter for your particular pool.

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