Filtration is the lifeblood of your pool. It ensures 80% of water quality, well before chemical treatment products. Without the right filtration system, even the best chlorine in the world won’t guarantee crystal-clear water.
At Astro Piscines, we’ve been designing and installing custom filtration systems for swimming pools in Geneva and the canton of Vaud since 1974. Our expertise: perfectly dimensioning the pump-filter pairing to guarantee pure water, significant energy savings and silent operation.
Discover our two essential components: filtration pumps and high-performance filters.
How does pool filtration work?
The principle is simple, but essential to understand. The water in your pool is drawn in by the skimmers (surface skimmers) and the bottom drain, then sent to the equipment room. There, it first passes through the pump that creates movement, then through the filter that retains impurities. The clean water is then returned to the pool via the discharge nozzles.
This cycle must be repeated several times a day to ensure that 100% of the water volume is filtered. This is called filtration time, and is generally calculated as follows: water temperature divided by 2. At 26°C, the daily filtration time is approximately 13 hours.
A properly dimensioned system guarantees :
- Effortless transparent water
- 50% reduction in chemical consumption
- Substantial electricity savings thanks to modern pumps
Filtration pumps: The heart of the system
The pump is the engine of your hydraulic circuit. It draws in the water and pushes it through the filter with sufficient pressure to ensure optimum flow. An undersized pump = cloudy water. An oversized pump = a skyrocketing electricity bill.
At Astro Piscines, we’ve chosen Pentair, the world leader in swimming pool equipment. Why did we choose Pentair? For three essential reasons:
Energy savings
Our variable-speed pumps like the Ultraflow VS2M consume up to 70% less electricity than a traditional single-speed pump. Over a full season, that’s several hundred francs saved on your bill.
Silent operation
At low speed, the pump becomes almost inaudible. No more constant whirring to spoil your moments of relaxation by the water. Your neighbors will thank you too.
Proven reliability
Sta-Rite and Ultraflow models are renowned in the trade as “puncture-proof”. Some Pentair pumps have been in operation for over 20 years without major failure. It’s a lasting investment.
Filters: The lungs that purify water
The filter retains suspended particles: dust, pollen, microscopic algae, sunscreen residues, hair… The more efficient the filter, the more crystal-clear the water, and the fewer treatment products you need.
At Astro Piscines, we’ve made a radical choice: to offer only the best. That’s why we only install Calplas filters, made in Spain to industrial standards.
Calplas filters (FA Series): Uncompromising industrial quality
Unlike consumer filters made of blown plastic, Calplas tanks are made of laminated polyester, layer by layer, by hand. It’s the difference between a plastic body and a racing boat hull.
Why we chose Calplas :
- Exceptional durability: these filters last for decades without deforming or cracking, even under pressure and UV rays
- Superior filtration fineness: the quality of the construction ensures perfect distribution of the filter media
- Corrosion-resistant: ideal for salt pools or demanding environments
- Complete range: from compact models for family pools (FA-420) to professional tanks for large volumes (FA-1050)
Our philosophy is to offer a single excellent product rather than a range of compromises.
The Secret of Crystal Water: The Filter Media
A high-performance filter isn’t enough: it’s what’s in it that makes the difference. We always recommend AFM activated glass (Dryden Aqua) rather than traditional sand.
The advantages of AFM glass are numerous:
- Superior filtration fineness: retains particles down to 1 micron (compared with 40 microns for sand)
- Anti-bacterial properties: the glass surface prevents bacteria from colonizing the media
- Water savings: fewer and shorter backwashes
- Doubled service life: 10 to 15 years compared with 5 to 7 years for conventional sand
The Calplas filter + AFM glass combination represents the very best in filtration. It’s our standard for all new installations and renovations.