Learning Center

Activate Glass Media for Sand Filters
Activate is a revolutionary and permanent replacement for silica sand in sand filters. Activate is a glass media designed to offer cleaner clearer and healthy water. There are three main reasons why activate is far superior to silica sand. It provides ultra fine filtration giving 300 times for surface area allowing it to filter down to 4-5 microns. Versus silica sand that only does 20 microns and that is in the first year of its life, silica sand significantly degrades after its first year, that is why it needs to be replaced every 3-5  years. Activate is negatively charged to attract and trap harmful bacteria like a magnet, it will also backwash completely clean. It has a self sterilizing surface that prevents the growth of bacteria and algae. It is the only filter media that will drastically reduce the formation of tricloramines.

Activates intended purpose was initially not for swimming pools, It was designed for aquariums and zoos housing sea mammals in captivity. When these animals are held in captivity it is often in chlorinated water. Dr.Howard Dryden ( Inventor of Activate) studied these mammals and noticed that the often died at a young age, he proved that the cause of this was breathing in harmful air directly above the water surface. This harmful air is what we call tricloramines,which is the primary cause the chlorine odor we smell in swimming pools. Activate will run about 65% more then traditional silica sand but the peace of mind far out weighs the cost.

If you have any further questions stop in our store and we will be happy to answer them.