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Mer-Made Filter, Inc. · Filtration · Horizontal fiberglass high-rate sand filters

Commercial pool sand filter systems

Horizontal fiberglass high-rate sand filters in three diameters, 50 psi working pressure, NSF/ANSI 50.

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← Back to all productsAvailable through FreyTechFacts verified against manufacturer literature 2026-09-26.

Overview

Mer-Made builds its commercial pool sand filters as horizontal fiberglass tanks in three diameters, sold as the 132, 143 and 160 Series. Each series is offered in a range of tank lengths; the model number suffix identifies the length (for example 132-52 through 132-114, 143-56 through 143-152, and 160-109 through 160-205). Tanks are designed for 50 psi working pressure, and the manufacturer states the filters are designed, built and tested to exceed NSF/ANSI Standard 50 specifications for fiberglass pressure vessels with a 4:1 safety factor.

Systems are supplied as single tank, dual tank side-by-side, or dual tank stacked arrangements, with face piping in 4, 6, 8 and 10 inch sizes and a priority valve on stacked systems; multiple-tank systems are also offered. Internals consist of a PVC inlet header with lateral assemblies and a slotted PVC underdrain collector; access is through a gasketed manway sealed by internal tank pressure. Filter area per tank runs from 10 sq. ft. (132-52) to 81.6 sq. ft. (160-205).

The manufacturer's operating literature specifies filtration at 5 to 14 GPM per sq. ft. for the 132 Series and 5 to 20 GPM per sq. ft. for the 143 and 160 Series, with backwash at 15 GPM per sq. ft. Filters are to be backwashed when the pressure differential exceeds 10 to 12 psi, and tanks in multiple-tank systems are backwashed one at a time. Media is loaded in four graded layers (two stone layers under two sand layers).

Is this a fit for your facility?

Usually a fit when

  • Municipal, school, university and community pools that need pressure sand filtration with NSF/ANSI 50 listed vessels.
  • Equipment rooms where horizontal tanks and stacked dual-tank arrangements help fit large filter area into limited floor space.
  • High-flow facilities such as waterparks: a single 160-205 tank provides 81.6 sq. ft. of filter area.
  • Engineers specifying fiberglass (non-corroding) pressure vessels with 150 lb ANSI flanged face piping.

Look elsewhere when

  • Applications requiring operation above 50 psi working pressure without a custom vessel (the manufacturer notes customization beyond NSF certification parameters is available on request).

Ideal facilities and conditions: Commercial swimming pool filtration; Competition and lap pools; Waterpark and lazy-river circulation systems; Multi-tank filter batteries with sequential backwash.

Problems it addresses

Key capabilities and benefits

Capabilities

  • Fiberglass tanks designed for 50 psi working pressure with a 4:1 safety factor; 132 Series tanks are tested to 75 psi.
  • Manufacturer states all Mer-Made filter systems are certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 50 for pool and spa applications.
  • Three tank diameters (132, 143 and 160 Series) in a variety of lengths, with per-tank filter areas from 10 to 81.6 sq. ft.
  • Single, dual side-by-side, dual stacked and multiple-tank configurations with 4 to 10 inch face piping.
  • Gasketed manway sealed by internal pressure; PVC inlet header with diffusers/laterals and slotted PVC underdrain.
  • Filtration at up to 14 GPM/sq. ft. (132 Series) or up to 20 GPM/sq. ft. (143 and 160 Series); backwash at 15 GPM/sq. ft.

Operational and buyer benefits

  • Manufacturer describes the fiberglass tanks as long-life vessels.
  • Stackable design lets two tanks share one footprint (manufacturer notes stackable design with numerous face piping arrangements).

Available models and configurations

132 SeriesSmallest diameter series (34 in. tank OD) for pools needing 10 to 23.7 sq. ft. of filter area per tank, with 4 in. face piping.
143 SeriesMid-size series (44 in. tank OD) offering 16.2 to 45.5 sq. ft. per tank, with 4 in. or 6 in. internals depending on length.
160 SeriesLargest series (62.5 in. tank OD) for high-flow facilities, with 41.6 to 81.6 sq. ft. per tank and 6 in. or 8 in. internals.

Technical specifications

Tank materialFiberglassSource: https://mermade.com/product/commercial-pool-sand-filters/
Working pressure50 psiSource: https://mermade.com/product/commercial-pool-sand-filters/
Design basisDesigned, built and tested to exceed NSF/ANSI Standard 50 specifications for fiberglass pressure vessels with a safety factor of 4:1Source: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/03/mermade-filter-horizontal-commercial-fiberglass-pool-sand-filter-systems.pdf
CertificationAll Mer-Made filter systems certified by NSF International to ANSI/NSF Standard 50 for pool and spa applicationsSource: https://mermade.com/product/commercial-pool-sand-filters/143-commercial-pool-sand-filter-system/
Filter area range10 sq. ft. (132-52) to 81.6 sq. ft. (160-205) per tankSource: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/03/mermade-filter-horizontal-commercial-fiberglass-pool-sand-filter-systems.pdf
Backwash rate15 GPM per sq. ft.Source: https://mermade.com/product/commercial-pool-sand-filters/
Backwash triggerBackwash when filter pressure differential exceeds 10-12 psiSource: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/03/mermade-filter-commercial-pool-sand-filter-model-160-operation-and-maintenance-guide.pdf
ConfigurationsSingle tank; dual tank side-by-side; dual tank stacked; multiple tankSource: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/03/mermade-filter-horizontal-commercial-fiberglass-pool-sand-filter-systems.pdf
Face piping sizes4, 6, 8 and 10 in. (4x4, 6x4, 6x6, 8x6, 10x6, 10x8 arrangements shown)Source: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/03/mermade-filter-horizontal-commercial-fiberglass-pool-sand-filter-systems.pdf
MediaFour layers: 1/4 x 1/2 in. stone, 1/8 x 1/4 in. stone, 6-20 sand, 20-30 sand (top)Source: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/03/mermade-filter-commercial-pool-sand-filter-model-160-operation-and-maintenance-guide.pdf
OptionsFilters NSF approved with laterals available on request; NSF glass media available on request; customization beyond NSF certification parameters on requestSource: https://mermade.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/03/mermade-filter-horizontal-commercial-fiberglass-pool-sand-filter-systems.pdf

Specifications are summarized from manufacturer literature and depend on configuration. Confirm current values with FreyTech before design.

Installation requirements and retrofit considerations

Prerequisites

  • Filter must be installed plumb and level; air relief connections should be piped to a low-pressure point or waste line, with a manual shut-off valve on each tank (manufacturer O&M guide).
  • Circulating pump sized for the selected filtration rate and for backwash at 15 GPM per sq. ft. of one tank's area.
  • Multiple-tank systems generally need backwash flow-rate control so only one tank is backwashed at a time; the manufacturer asks that piping layouts be sent for review before installation.

Retrofit and replacement notes

  • Manufacturer provides manway dimension drawings (right, left and end manway) and stacked-system dimension drawings for each model to check equipment-room fit.
  • Face piping is available in several size combinations to match existing pump and return line sizes.

Integration with other equipment

No equipment integrations are documented for this product. Coordination happens through the design team.

FreyTech's role: design, installation, commissioning, training, support

Project services

  • Evaluation of fit for your facility
  • Supply, lead time and pricing confirmed on request
  • Installation and support coordination where the product calls for it

Ongoing service and support

  • Parts, consumables and warranty coordination through FreyTech

Brochures, manuals, warranties and specifications

All resources for Commercial pool sand filter systems · Request documents

Commercial pool sand filter systems: frequently asked questions

When should a Mer-Made sand filter be backwashed?

The manufacturer's operation guides state filters should be backwashed when the filter pressure differential exceeds 10 to 12 psi, at 15 GPM per sq. ft., until the sight-flow indicator runs clear (approximately five minutes), then allowing the bed to settle about three minutes before returning to filter.

Can more than one tank be backwashed at the same time?

No. The manufacturer states tanks in multi-tank systems are backwashed one at a time in sequence, and that some form of backwash flow-rate control is generally required to limit flow to that needed for one tank.

Are the filters NSF listed?

Mer-Made states all of its filter systems are certified by NSF International to ANSI/NSF Standard 50 for pool and spa applications, and that vessels are designed with a 4:1 safety factor.

Related products

See the Filtration category.

Related solutions: Improve filtration and water clarity · Modernize an aging equipment room

Next step

Is Commercial pool sand filter systems right for your facility?

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