There are essentially two common types of filter sold in South Africa, sand and cartridge. Sand filters are still the most commonly used filters in South Africa. Robust, durable and low maintenance, sand filters can also be filled with different filtration media such as Zodiac Crystals (glass media) or Diamond Brite to provide deeper, more effective filtration. Alternatively, Zodiac cartridge filters use less water and filter finer particles than sand filters. Cartridge filters also require less water flow and less energy to effectively filter your pool water.