Commercial Pool and Spa Supplies
FILTER MEDIA, AFM, DR DRYDEN'S AFM GRADE 1 55lbs
FILTER MEDIA, AFM, DR DRYDEN'S AFM GRADE 1 55lbs
SKU:DDAFM-3
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The Dr. Dryden's AFM (Activated Filter Media) Grade 1 (55 lb / 25 kg Bag) is an ultra-high-performance, bio-resistant, self-sterilizing granular filter media engineered to serve as the primary top polishing layer in commercial and residential pressurized glass/sand filters. Manufactured exclusively from selected, upcycled green and brown container glass by Dryden Aqua, AFM undergoes a patented three-stage activation process that permanently alters the surface chemistry. This process yields a massive surface area with a strong negative catalytic charge and free radical generation potential, preventing bacterial biofilm colonization, eliminating biological clumping and channeling, and substantially reducing combined chlorine, trichloramines, and disinfection by-products (DBPs).
Grade 1 is the finest media grade, designed to replace standard #20 silica sand as the working filtration surface. It achieves mechanical filtration down to 4 to 5 microns at 95% efficiency without flocculation (and sub-micron performance when paired with APF/coagulants), while requiring up to 50% less backwash water due to its non-porous, smooth grain morphology.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Trade Name / Classification | Dr. Dryden’s AFM® (Activated Filter Media) – Grade 1 |
| Nominal Packaging Weight | 55.0 lbs (25.0 kg) per bag |
| Material Base | 100% Upcycled Green and Brown Container Glass |
| Activation Process | Chemically and thermally activated; permanently negative surface catalytic charge |
| Grain Grade / Sizing | Grade 1: 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm (400 to 800 microns) |
| Filtration Efficiency | 4 to 5 microns (nominal without flocculants); $< 1.0$ micron with APF coagulant |
| Particle Shape | Sub-angular, non-porous, calibrated grains with smoothed safety edges (no sharp splinters) |
| Bulk Loose Density | Approx. 78 lbs/cu. ft. (1,250 kg/m³) – ~15% lighter than standard #20 silica sand |
| Specific Gravity | 2.50 |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 50 (Aquatic Facilities), NSF/ANSI 61 (Drinking Water), ISO 9001:2015 |
| Chemical Resistance | Immune to biological degradation, chlorine/bromine oxidation, and ozone |
| Typical Bed Layering | Top polishing bed (typically 70% of total bed volume in 3-grade systems, or 50% in standard 2-grade systems) |
| Packaging Material | Heavy-duty, UV-stabilized heavy-gauge plastic bag with moisture-sealed seams |
Because AFM has a lower bulk density than conventional silica sand (approx. 78 lbs/cu. ft. vs. 100 lbs/cu. ft.), approximately 15% less media by weight is needed to fill the equivalent volume in a filter vessel (e.g., a filter requiring 100 lbs of sand requires only 85 lbs of AFM). The shipping weight of a single bag is 55.0 to 55.5 lbs (25.0 to 25.2 kg) gross. For bulk commercial logistics, bags are configured at 40 bags per pallet (2,200 lbs / 1,000 kg net), stretch-wrapped with corner boards and weather-resistant protective top sheeting.
