Dryden AFM®-ng Activated Filter Media (Combi-Bag)
The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Upgrade for Crystal Clear Pool Water
Say goodbye to murky water, heavy chemical smells, and frequent backwashing. Dryden AFM®-ng (Activated Filter Media - New Generation) is a direct 1:1 replacement for traditional filter sand, engineered from 100% pure, green and brown container glass. Through a patented activation process, AFM-ng becomes fully bio-resistant and self-sterilizing, delivering unmatched water clarity while protecting your family from harmful pool byproducts.
The Combi-Bag (25 lbs / 11.3 kg) is a specialized, ready-to-use formulation. It features a perfectly pre-mixed ratio of Grade 1 (Fine) and Grade 2 (Medium) media. This eliminates the guesswork of calculating splits or buying separate bulk bags, making it the perfect, user-friendly choice for smaller residential, in-ground, and above-ground pool filters.
Why Choose AFM®-ng?
- Bio-Resistant & Self-Sterilizing: Traditional filter sand becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and biofilm within days. Because biofilm clumps sand grains together, it creates "channels" that let dirt slip right back into your pool. AFM-ng is 100% bio-resistant, meaning bacteria cannot cling to it. No biofilm = no channelling = consistently perfect filtration.
- Superior 1-Micron Filtration: While sand filters typically trap particles down to 20 or 30 microns, AFM-ng filters down to an astonishing 1 micron without any coagulants or flocculants. You get diamond-clear, pristine water quality.
- Breathe Cleaner Air (No More "Chlorine Smell"): The heavy "chlorine smell" around pools is actually caused by trichloramines—irritating byproducts created when chlorine reacts with bacteria in the filter. By preventing bacteria from growing in your tank, AFM-ng slashes trichloramine production by up to 50%, eliminating eye irritation and skin itchiness.
- Saves Water, Energy & Money: Because AFM-ng doesn’t get clogged with sticky biofilm, backwashing is much faster and highly efficient. You will use up to 50% less water during backwash cycles, saving you money on water bills, heating, and chemical top-offs.
- Outlasts Your Filter: Filter sand wears down and needs replacing every 3 to 5 years. AFM-ng is engineered to last the entire lifespan of your filtration system without ever losing its efficiency.
The Combi-Bag Advantage
Traditionally, loading an advanced glass filter media required carefully measuring and layering separate bags of Grade 1 and Grade 2. The AFM-ng Combi-Bag removes the hassle. It contains a meticulously balanced, pre-blended mix of Grades 1 and 2 (0.4mm to 1.2mm grain size).
It is tailor-made to provide optimum bed depth, flawless lateral protection, and maximum filtration flow in residential filters—all from a single, easy-to-pour bag.
Specifications & Capacity Guidelines
- Bag Weight: 25 lbs (11.3 kg) / 25 Litres
- Grain Size: Mixed Grade 1 & 2 (0.4 mm – 1.2 mm)
- Material: 100% Upcycled Green & Brown Glass (Bio-resistant hydrophobic surface)
- Sizing Rule: AFM-ng is 15% less dense than sand. You only need 85% of your filter's rated sand weight. * Example: For a filter rated for 35 lbs of sand, you only need 30 lbs of AFM-ng (approximately 1.2 Combi-Bags).
Quick & Easy Installation
- Turn off your pool system and drain the filter tank.
- Remove the old sand and rinse the internal laterals.
- Fill the filter tank halfway with water before adding the media (this cushions the laterals from the weight of the falling glass).
- Pour the AFM-ng Combi-Bag directly into the filter.
- Close the filter, perform an initial backwash until the wastewater runs crystal clear (usually 2–3 minutes), and switch to normal filtration mode. Enjoy your pristine pool!
Click to Learn More & Download the Dryden AFM®-ng Activated Filter Media Brochure