Post #142677 by hewey on Wed, Feb 23, 2005 3:25 AM

Cartridge filters when new work good, but deteriate over time. Generally, expect about 2-4yrs from a cartridge. DE will give the best qulity water but are an absolute pain (and significantly more expensive). Sand filters are the best. Easy maintenance, good water quality etc.

Cartridges when new wil give a better quality than sand, but sand is better in the long run. There is also a relatively new material called zeolite, which goes in a sand filter instead of the sand. This works better than sand. It is more expensive per pound, but less is required so cost is similar to sand.

Pool lights are a top idea. Note: most of my customers have to regularly replace globes (once or twice a year), and they are fairly expensive. The changing colour ones you mentioned are probably LED based. More expensive to buy but I think they are better in the long term. None of my customers have them so I cant give a definite verdict. Most pool lights will have multiple lens colous available. Either the whole lens is replaced, or their is a clip-on style lens over a clear lens.

I have a light blue pool with a green light and at night the whole pool glows an aqua colour - great for what you want. Some customers complain that green lights make the pool look like it is full of algae - you might want this!