AFM® (Activated Filter Media) by Dryden Aqua is a next-generation pool and spa filter media that doubles the performance of traditional sand filters — verified by IFTS — without any additional infrastructure investment.
Manufactured from upcycled post-consumer green and brown glass bottles, AFM® undergoes a unique 3-step activation process to become biofouling-resistant with superior filtration properties.
Why Choose AFM® Over Sand?
- Filters >95% of all particles >1 micron — far superior to standard sand
- Biofouling-resistant surface — does not support bacterial growth, eliminates clumping and channelling
- Reduces backwash water by up to 50% — lower operating costs
- 10+ year lifespan — long-term value
- Adsorbs oil, hydrocarbons, and microplastics
- Eco-friendly — made from recycled glass
Available Grades
- Grade 1 Fine (NG) – Activated Filter Media NG Grade 1 Fine. Best for fine particle and organics removal. Hydrophobic & non-polar surface. Suitable for gravity and pressure filters.
- Grade 2 Medium (NG) – Activated Filter Media NG Grade 2 Medium. Ideal for dual media filtration and high-flow applications.
Compatible with single or dual media filtration systems using gravity or pressure filters, for the treatment of pool, spa, ground, surface, and wastewater.
Biofouling-resistant surface
- Does not support bacterial growth, eliminates clumping and channeling.
- Reduces backwash water up to 50%, improving operation cost savings (OPEX).
Increased surface area
AFM Grade 1 = 50.000 m² / 1‘000 kg (245 ft² per lb) * Sand 0.4 – 0.8mm = 3.000 m² / 1‘000 kg (15 ft² per lb)
- The high surface area provides for the superior mechanical filtration properties and enhances adsorption of fine particles.
- Consistent particle size distribution, shape, sphericity, effective size and uniformity coefficient for outstanding hydraulic properties.
- Provides consistent >1 micron nominal particle filtration performance up to 98% and a life cycle >10 years.
AFM® NG: HYDROPHOBIC SURFACE
- Hydrophobic & non-polar
- Biofouling-resistant
- Filters 95% of all particles >1μm
- Best for organics removal
- Adsorbs oil & hydrocarbons, microplastics
- Efficient filtration in hard and soft water
- Not suitable for backwash with air scouring
- Best filtration & organics removal
Afm® performance
Filtration performance of AFM® versus Sand at 20m/hr (8gpm/ft2) without flocculation
independently verified by IFTS
Removal performance (%)
Particle Size (μm)
AFM®s Grade 0 removes 98% of particles >1μm
AFM®ng Grade 1 removes 95% of particles >1μm
AFM®s Grade 1 removes 95% of particles >4μm
High quality silica sand removes 95% of particles >20μm
AFM® closes the gap between conventional media filtration and Ultrafiltration
AFM® Grade 1
is our main filtration grade. AFM® ng removes 95% of all particles down to 1μm. Coagulation and flocculation may be used to further enhance filtration performance down to submicron.
AFM® Grade 2
is used as a. support layer. AFM® ng Grade 2 acts as a support and filtration layer removing particles down to 5 μm.
Afm® certifications
- AFM® complies with EN17978, glass granulates, for treatment of water for human consumption
- AFM® complies with the Directive (EU) 2020/2184 on the quality of water intended for human consumption
- AFM® is approved in UK under regulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) regulations 2016 (as amended)
- AFM® is certified by WQA to NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 & 372 Drinking Water Systems Components
- AFM® is approved in Switzerland according to drinking water ordinace (TBDV) Annex 4, paragraph 4
- AFM® is produced under certified HACCP principles for use in food and beverage production
- Dryden Aqua is certified to integrated management control systems ISO-9001, ISO-14001, ISO-45001