Top 5 D.E. Pool Filters for Austin Homes

If you’re a pool owner in Austin, you already know the challenge: limestone dust from our famous hill country terrain and relentless pollen seasons from Cedar and Oak trees create a constant battle for crystal-clear water. Standard cartridge and sand filters simply can’t keep up with the microscopic particles that cloud Austin pools, especially during those brutal spring months when yellow pollen coats everything in sight. That’s where D.E. filters come in.

Filters coated with D.E. powder trap particles as small as 3-5 microns. For comparison, most sand filters have a minimum rating of 20-40 microns. Cartridge filters can get down to 10-15 microns. As you can imagine, Austin water will let you know pretty quickly if your filter was built for our environment.

Over the years, we’ve installed and serviced hundreds of D.E. filters in the Austin area. We know which filters stand up to the Texas heat, which ones offer the best value, and which features are most beneficial when you’re backwashing on a hot, humid Central Texas summer day. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the Top 5 D.E. filters on the market today.

The Heavy-Duty Workhorse

Hayward’s ProGrid is the workhorse of D.E. filters. We recommend this filter to customers who want something that will simply never give out, especially if you run your pool year-round. With a one-piece thermoplastic tank and heavy-duty reinforced underdrain assembly, you can expect decades of reliable performance from this filter if you maintain it properly.

Expert Opinion: By far the toughest and most durable filter on our list. We typically suggest our larger custom pool builds (especially those over 25,000 gallons or with lots of shade/tree coverage) go with the 72 sq. ft. model. The cluster-style grid design also makes cleaning way easier than traditional styles, and there are far fewer warranty issues due to the tank construction.

• Available Sizes: 36, 48, 60, and 72 sq. ft.
• Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
• Best For: Large pools with heavy debris loads, homeowners who want the longest equipment life possible

Click here to learn more about the 72 Sq. Ft Hayward ProGrid D.E. Filter

Rugged Reliability

Molded one-piece tank and heavily oversized internal components make the Jandy DEV series extremely durable. Like the Hayward ProGrid, the size options are limited compared to other filters on this list, but you can immediately tell when you pick up the tank and components.

Expert Opinion: Super thick construction with a filter body that just doesn’t mind the rigors of expanding and contracting in the Texas elements. The limited size range means this isn’t our first choice for smaller pools, but if you need a 48 or 60 sq. ft. filter, the DEV is built to last. The tube-sheet design also makes for quick maintenance and fewer headaches. We’ve had several of these run for over 5 years with zero issues.

• Available Sizes: 48 and 60 sq. ft.
• Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
• Best For: Mid-size and up, homeowners who stay with the Jandy brand, filtration quality enthusiasts

Click here to learn more about the Jandy DEV D.E. Filter

The Industry Standard

If you spend any time in the older, established neighborhoods of Austin, you’ll see more Pentair FNS Plus filters than any other style. They provide amazing clarity when maintained properly and are very affordable.

Expert Opinion: This is the most common filter we see in Austin homes. It provides amazing clarity, especially for smaller pools, but it does have weak points. The internal manifold and multiport valve are fragile. We replace manifolds on these filters all the time due to excessive backwashing or improper winterization (Yes, we see it happens here in Austin, too). Replacement parts are easily sourced, and virtually every pool maintenance company in Austin has serviced these, so finding a good technician to install or repair is never an issue.

• Available Sizes: 24, 36, 48, and 60 sq. ft.
• Warranty: 3-year warranty
• Best For: Small to mid-sized pools, homeowners who don’t mind periodic maintenance, and those who desire large parts availability

Click here to learn more about the Pentair FNS Plus D.E. Filter

The Hybrid Powerhouse

Instead of vertical grids and a center manifold, this filter has 4 large cartridge-style elements evenly dispersed in a square pattern. This dramatically increases the filtration area while eliminating the weak manifold found in traditional designs.

Expert Opinion: The Quad 100 has become our go-to for a filtering option, perfect for those sprawling Austin estate pools we service in Westlake and Barton Creek. With this much filtration area, your typical D.E. problems (manifold failure) are a thing of the past. Pentair also upgraded the multiport valve to a heavier-duty design. The Quad does come at a higher price, but it is well worth the investment for large pools.

• Available Sizes: 60, 80, and 100 sq. ft.
• Warranty:  3-year warranty
• Best For: Large pool surfaces, homeowners who have dealt with manifold failures, filtration area is your priority

Click here to learn more about the Pentair Quad DE Filter

The Budget-Friendly Choice

Not every Austin pool owner needs the premium features of a ProGrid or Quad. The Waterway Crystal Water series offers solid D.E. filtration performance at a price point that makes upgrading from sand or cartridge filtration accessible.

Expert Opinion: The most cost-effective entry point into D.E. filtration without sacrificing basic water quality. You’re not getting the reinforced construction of a Hayward or the innovative design of a Quad, but you are getting legitimate 3-5 micron filtration. We’ve installed these on countless rental properties and budget-conscious renovations throughout Austin. Just realize that you may not get the longevity of the seals/gaskets like our other top picks.

• Available Sizes: 36, 48, and 60 sq. ft.
• Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
• Best For: Budget-conscious homeowners, rental property owners, and those upgrading from sand filters

Click here to learn more about the Waterway Crystal Water D.E. Filter

Picking the right filter is half the battle. Proper installation, however, is what dictates whether your new equipment lasts 5 years or 15+ years. Follow these tips from our professional technicians to ensure your filter lasts 10+ years battling Austin dirt and debris.

We’re big believers in using unions on everything. Make sure to install your multiport valve with unions on both the inlet and outlet. This will allow you to replace your valve in minutes instead of cutting and replumbing your entire equipment pad. When your multiport eventually fails (and they all do), you’ll thank us for this $20 investment.

We all know how beautiful Austin clay soils are, but did you know they shift and move as water levels rise and fall? Disconnecting your backwash hose every time you clean the filter may cause settling and foundation problems down the road. Either run your backwash water into a dedicated lawn mound or properly secure your backwash hose to divert water away from your pool equipment.

We install a ball valve on every backwash line. If your multiport valve fails in the “backwash” position (a surprisingly common failure mode), this valve prevents your entire pool from accidentally draining overnight. It’s a simple safeguard that’s saved our clients from disaster more times than we can count.

Your D.E. filter won’t clean itself. Make sure to follow these quick tips to keep your filter running smoothly and prolong the life of your equipment.

D.E. grids are easily broken, especially if you have the traditional style with a manifold. Purchase an extra set of grids, so you’re never left poolside with a green pool waiting for parts to come in. This can be especially problematic during peak pool season when most distributors are overwhelmed with filtering orders.

You should backwash and recharge your D.E. filter at least once a month. During Austin’s high pollen season (Feb-May), we recommend going back-to-back weeks on backwashing. When you do backwash, continue running till the sight glass is clear. Add the recommended amount of D.E. powder through your skimmer.

Once a season (Spring is best), take your filter completely apart and clean your grids with a hose. Most pollen and debris will stick to the grids instead of the filter sand itself, so giving your grids a good cleaning will greatly increase performance. For even better results, let your grids soak overnight in filter cleaning solution and rinse before putting your filter back together.

D.E. Powder can be hazardous to your lungs and skin. Always wear a mask and gloves when handling D.E. powder.

Just like your pool, D.E. filters require regular maintenance to perform at optimal efficiency. The truth is D.E filtration involves WAY more maintenance than traditional cartridge or sand systems, but we won’t argue with crystal clear water.

Have Aqua Clear manage your seasonal D.E. cleanings, monthly maintenance, and emergency repairs. Our technicians service every filter on this list all across Austin, and we keep standard replacement parts in stock on all of our service vehicles.

Give us a call today to learn more about our maintenance packages and start enjoying your Aqua Clear difference!