Filter elements

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A powerful filter pump is the heart of your swimming pool, but it is the material inside the pump – the filter media – that does the real work. This material traps sand, insects, skin flakes and other debris before the water flows back into the pool, clean. At Hermie, you’ll find high-quality filter media for any sand filter pump or standard filter system. Whether you prefer the long lifespan of filter glass or the light weight and convenience of filter balls, we’ll help you find the right media. That way, you’re always guaranteed a hygienic dip in crystal-clear water.

Which filter media should I choose?

The days when you could only use sand for your pump are over. Each type of filter media has its own specific advantages. We’ve listed the three main options for you:

1. Filter sand: The traditional and cost-effective choice
Filter sand has been used for decades and is a highly reliable method of trapping debris.

• Advantages: Affordable to buy and easy to use.
• Disadvantages: It is heavy to lift, and you have to replace it entirely every 3 to 5 years because the grains of sand wear away and lose their filtering ability.
• Ideal for: The budget-conscious swimming pool owner looking for a tried-and-tested, traditional method.

2. Filter glass: The sustainable upgrade
Filter glass (made from recycled glass) is the most popular alternative to sand. The glass granules are smoother, which means that bacteria and dirt are much less likely to stick to them.

• Advantages: Filters out much finer particles from the water than sand. You don’t need to ‘backwash’ the pump as often, which saves water. What’s more, it lasts for up to 10 to 15 years!
• Disadvantages: The initial purchase price is higher than that of sand.
• Ideal for: Anyone looking for the best water quality, less maintenance and an environmentally friendly long-term investment.

3. Filter balls: The lightweight alternative 
These tiny balls made of polyester or polyethylene are a real revolution in swimming pool maintenance. 

• Advantages: Extremely light (500 grams of filter balls replace a heavy 18 kg bag of sand). They filter out even the tiniest particles of dirt (down to 3 microns) and are often machine-washable. 
• Disadvantages: You often cannot clean them using the pump’s ‘backwash’ function; you have to physically remove them to wash them. 
• Ideal for: People who don’t want to lug around heavy bags and who consider filtering out extremely fine particles to be important.

FAQ

• Can I simply switch from filter sand to filter glass or filter balls?
  Yes, this can be done without any problems in almost all sand filter pumps. All you need to do is remove the old sand, rinse the pump thoroughly and fill it with the new filter media in the correct proportions.
• How often should I replace my filter media?
  This depends on the material. Filter sand is best replaced every 3 to 5 years. Filter glass lasts considerably longer, on average 10 to 15 years. Washable filter balls usually last 2 to 3 swimming seasons, provided you wash them regularly.
• Why is there sand at the bottom of my swimming pool?
  There are two possible causes for this. Either you have used sand with a grain size that is too fine, which slips through the pump’s filter, or one of the filters at the bottom of the filter tank has torn or broken off, causing the sand to be forced directly into the hose.
• How do I clean washable filter balls?
  To clean filter balls, remove them from the pump and place them in a laundry bag. Wash them in the washing machine at a maximum of 30°C without detergent or fabric softener. Then leave them to air dry before putting them back in place.
• Can I use flocculant with all types of filter media?
  Please note the following: flocculant (which binds small particles together) works extremely well in combination with filter sand and filter glass. However, if you have filter balls or a paper cartridge filter, do not use standard flocculant, as this will immediately clog your filter balls or cartridge and render them unusable.