Pool Filter Replacement Cost: Sand, Glass, Cartridge or Tank

Name: comparepoolquotes
Price range: $$$

Replacing the media in a 25-inch pool filter costs about $175–$266 in sand or $240–$376 in glass, and a common 1500-size cartridge element $130–$186, at Australian retailers on 10 October 2026. A whole new 25-inch media filter is $386–$959 before media; one retailer prices installation at $440.

The short answer

Sand: a 25-inch tank takes 7 × 20kg bags, one retailer's listing says. Bags were $24.95–$38.01 at two pool shops ($65 delivered at a third), so $174.65–$266.07 a change.
Glass: 120kg for the same tank: $239.99 as a kit at one retailer, or $375.60 as eight 15kg bags at another.
Cartridge: the same 1500-size element was $129.99–$185.90 at four retailers. Across sizes, one retailer's aftermarket elements run $68.95–$179.
Per year of use: sand about $35–$89, glass $24–$47 if it lasts the 8–10 years its sellers claim, a cartridge $43–$93, on one maker's published lives.
Whole filter: a 25-inch media filter is $385.95–$959 at four retailers, $560.60–$1,225.07 with sand, about 3 to 5 times a sand change. Change the media while the tank is sound.

Pool filter replacement: what each job costs at retail and per year of use, for a 25-inch media filter and a 1500-size cartridge filter (prices read 10 October 2026; lives from one maker's guide; parts only unless stated)
What you replace	Quantity	Retail price	Published life	Cost per year of use	Replace it when
Sand media	7 × 20kg (140kg) for a 25-inch tank	$174.65–$266.07 (bags $24.95–$38.01)	3–5 years	$35–$89	A backwash no longer brings the pressure back to clean
Glass media	120kg (3 coarse + 5 fine × 15kg) for the same tank	$239.99–$375.60	8–10 years (a seller's claim)	$24–$47	As for sand
Cartridge element, 1500 size	1 element	$129.99–$185.90 at four retailers	2–3 years	$43–$93	Freshly cleaned, it still reads well above the filter's new pressure, or pleats are torn
New 25-inch media filter	Tank and valve, no media	$385.95–$959.00; $560.60–$1,225.07 with sand	Tank: one major maker says most media filters carry a 10-year warranty	Not a consumable	The tank is cracked or weeping
New cartridge filter	Housing and element, 75–250 sq ft	$479.99–$1,339.00 at two retailers	Check the maker's housing warranty	Not a consumable	The housing cracks or the lid will not seal
Installation	Labour and fittings	$440 at one retailer	–	–	If you are not comfortable with the plumbing and the valve

How much does it cost to replace pool filter sand?

Start with the quantity, because it is what most people guess wrong. One retailer's listing for a 25-inch media filter says it takes 7 × 20kg bags of sand, or 3 coarse and 5 fine 15kg bags of glass. Your filter's label or manual gives the figure for yours; a 21-inch tank takes less and a 28-inch more.

Sand prices read on 10 October 2026: $24.95 for 20kg at one pool shop (pick-up only), $38.01 at a second, and $65 delivered at a third. At the shelf prices, a 25-inch change is 7 × $24.95 = $174.65 to 7 × $38.01 = $266.07. Delivery can double it, which is why people buy sand in person.

Glass for the same tank: one retailer sells a 120kg kit for $239.99; another sells 15kg bags at $46.95, so eight bags are $375.60. One major equipment maker says glass lasts 8–10 years against 3–5 for sand. That is a seller's claim, but if it holds, glass costs $24–$47 a year against $35–$89 for sand. How long a pool filter lasts sets out the life figures and the pressure test for when the media is due.

Doing it yourself means emptying 140kg of wet sand from the tank and disposing of it, and resealing the valve; one retailer lists a filter installation service, labour and fittings, at $440, which is the nearest published labour price we found.

The quotable version: new sand for a 25-inch pool filter costs about $175–$266 in parts, 140kg of it.

How much does a pool filter cartridge cost?

Cartridges are sized to the filter, so compare like with like. The same 1500-size element, one of the common Australian sizes, was listed on 10 October 2026 at $129.99 (an aftermarket-brand element at one retailer), $138 at a second, $145 at a third and $185.90 at a fourth. Across sizes, one retailer's aftermarket range runs from $68.95 to $179.

One major equipment maker says cartridges need replacing every 2–3 years. On that life, a 1500-size element costs $43–$93 a year: $129.99 over three years to $185.90 over two. Cleaning it well stretches the life, and the test for when it is finished is a pressure reading rather than a date.

Fitting a cartridge needs no tools beyond the lid, so this is the filter job most owners do themselves. If the housing itself is cracked, the whole filter is the job: two retailers list cartridge filters from $479.99 (75 sq ft) to $1,339 (250 sq ft).

The quotable version: a pool filter cartridge costs about $43–$93 a year, the price of the element divided by its 2–3 year life.

Should I replace the pool filter or just the sand? The 3-to-5 rule

A new 25-inch media filter was listed at $385.95, $699.99, $730, $810, $899 and $959 across four retailers on 10 October 2026. None includes the media, so add sand: $560.60–$1,225.07 for tank and sand, before installation.

The 3-to-5 rule: a whole new 25-inch filter with sand costs about 3 to 5 times a sand change, so change the media while the tank is sound and replace the tank only when it fails. A cracked or weeping tank is a failure; old age is not. One major maker says most media filters carry a 10-year warranty, and one retailer's 25-inch listing states 10 years on the tank; the signs that the tank, not the media, has gone are on how long a pool filter lasts.

A filter is not always the cause of cloudy water. Check the chemistry and run time first: why your pool is cloudy and how long a pool pump should run. If the filter is going as part of a wider plant upgrade, the pump, filter and chlorinator are explained in pool equipment explained.

For a new pool, ask each builder to name the filter model, its size and whether it is sand, glass or cartridge, then compare pool quotes on the same plant. Listed businesses cover Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Common questions

How much does it cost to replace pool filter sand?

About $175–$266 in sand for a 25-inch filter, which takes 7 × 20kg bags; bags were $24.95–$38.01 at pool shops on 10 October 2026. One retailer lists installation, labour and fittings, at $440 if you do not do it yourself.

How much is a pool filter cartridge?

The same 1500-size element was $129.99–$185.90 at four Australian retailers on 10 October 2026. One retailer's aftermarket elements run $68.95–$179 depending on size.

How much does a new sand filter cost?

A 25-inch media filter was $385.95–$959 at four retailers, without media. With 140kg of sand that is $560.60–$1,225.07 before installation.

Is glass filter media worth it over sand?

On cost per year, if it lasts as long as claimed. One maker's glass media guide says glass lasts 8–10 years and sand 3–5. For a 25-inch tank that is $24–$47 a year for glass against $35–$89 for sand, at 10 October 2026 prices.

How often should I replace a pool filter cartridge?

One major maker says every 2–3 years. Replace it sooner if the pleats are torn, or if a freshly cleaned element still reads well above the filter's pressure when new.

Sources

General information only, current at 2026-10-10. Pool rules differ by state and by council, and penalty amounts are updated regularly. Confirm your own obligations with your council or a registered inspector before acting.

How much does it cost to replace a pool filter?

The short answer

How much does it cost to replace pool filter sand?

How much does a pool filter cartridge cost?

Should I replace the pool filter or just the sand? The 3-to-5 rule

Common questions

Sources

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