Easy How to Use Sand Filter Pump

Efficient, inexpensive, low-maintenance puddle filtering is always the goal. You lot don't want to spend all your time and coin just making sure your filter does what it's supposed to. That's probably why you have a sand pool filter in the first place. They rarely clog, they're like shooting fish in a barrel on your wallet and your dorsum, and they work well. You get crystal clear puddle water, and the virtually work you take to do is swap out the sand once every few years.

How do you change pool filter sand, anyway? Showtime by deciding which type of sand yous'll employ—you've got a few options. Learn how to tell when information technology's time for a change, and then you won't have to constantly battle dirty, cloudy water. When you lot're ready to tackle it, modify your sand and become back to swimming in no time.

What is Pool Filter Sand?

Expressionless bugs. Bacteria. Algae. Your pool filter traps these things so they can't hang around making the water cloudy or getting swimmers sick. The filter media is the stuff that grabs those contaminants. In this case, sand is that media.

Sand is such excellent filtration media, it's used in other water safety applications such as wastewater treatment, septic systems, and even for drinking water.

To the untrained eye, most sand looks pretty much the same, so you might think all sand is created equal, just that's non the case. Don't exist tempted past that pocketbook of cheap play sand in your garage. It will destroy your filtration system. E'er brand sure to use 1 of iii types of sand in your pool filter.

Silica Sand

The about commonly used puddle filter sand is #20 silica sand. It comes from basis quartz, which creates sharp silica grains with jagged edges fantabulous for trapping particulates from passing water.

Silica sand is mined, not manufactured.

Glass Sand

If yous're looking for filter media with low environmental bear on, glass sand is an effective alternative to silica. It'south made from 100% recycled glass and is smooth to the touch, only however captures particles as pocket-size as two microns—that's ane millionth of a meter.

The glass grains are all different sizes, then information technology minimizes channeling, which occurs when puddle h2o cuts a path straight through the sand and slips through the filter virtually unfiltered. Glass sand also has a negative accuse, and so it excels at capturing iron and manganese particles. This is specially helpful if your pool is filled from a hard water source.

Zeolite Sand

Created from volcanic stone minerals called zeolites, this silica alternative boasts 100 times greater surface area than standard filter sand because of its sponge-like honeycomb shape.

Zeolite chemically traps chloramines—the chlorine byproducts that sting swimmers' optics—through a process chosen molecular sieving. That'south a fancy way of proverb chloramines go trapped inside the zeolite sand particles indefinitely.

If you're finding yous need to shock your pool frequently, zeolite sand could help get chloramines under control without having to use as many pool chemic additives.

Why Modify Your Pool Filter Sand?

The pool pump pulls dirty h2o to the filter, where information technology passes through the sand, where contaminants get trapped. The clean h2o flows back into the pool. How exactly does the sand hold onto the icky stuff, while allowing the cleaned water to pass through?

Though information technology's much too small to see with the naked eye, all three types of sand have a rough surface where contaminants get defenseless as the h2o flows past.

Over time, the rushing h2o wears away the prickly surface of the sand, leaving information technology shine and round. When you lot look at sand from beaches with intense waves under a microscope, it'south noticeably smoother than sand from calmer beaches. The same principle applies to puddle filter sand, which has h2o flushed through it for several hours a day.

This smoothing is the upshot of a process chosen weathering. Ironically the same process that creates sand also wears it downward into dust, useless for filtering anything.

When pool filter sand is weathered smooth, it doesn't have any jagged edges to grab and agree contaminants. Your pool may start to wait cloudy or require more frequent shock treatment as the filter media nears the finish of its lifespan.

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When to Change the Sand in Your Filter

Similar fine wine, pool filter sand gets ameliorate with historic period, but then it peaks and eventually declines. Its lifespan is rather short—just three to v years. Over the course of a few years, contaminants build upwardly in the sand.

For the first couple of years, this actually enhances the filtering ability of the sand because in addition the sand'south ain crude edges, the contaminants edifice upward also human action as filtration for the water that passes through the filter.

But somewhen, all that actress gunk builds upwardly and so much that it makes the filter decumbent to clogs. At the same time, weathering renders the sand incapable of collecting more contaminants. Your filter'due south efficiency drops, and your pools water quality suffers.

Two other things may happen when your sand is past its pinnacle. Pressure can build up inside your filter as it becomes more difficult for the water to laissez passer through gunked-upwards sand. Then the water may seek a path of least resistance and cut a channel through the sand, which may reduce some of the pressure, but will virtually eliminate filtering.

Can't I just Make clean or Aftermath my Sand Filter?

You'll demand to aftermath your sand filter whenever the force per unit area gauge climbs to ten pounds per square inch (psi) higher than the normal running pressure level. Yous tin can as well backwash if the water is a bit cloudy, but the chemical science is okay.

Backwashing rinses the sand, flushing debris to waste. It tin be done as part of your routine puddle maintenance, and you lot may need to top off the pool afterward.

If you desire to requite your sand a little extra cleaning, use sand filter cleaner annually. Think of this stuff as a degreaser for the sand. Information technology helps wash out oils and other contaminants backwashing tin't quite get rid of.

Both backwashing and filter cleaner assist with climbing pressure and h2o clarity, merely eventually the sand will vesture down and demand to be replaced. If your sand is in the three- to 5-year window, and pressure level and clarity are ongoing problems, information technology'south probably time for new sand.

The Changing of the Sand

Once yous've adamant your filter is the reason for your cloudy h2o, go your gear together for sand irresolute. Y'all'll be amazed how easy this is.

Y'all'll Need:

• Hacksaw (if pipage needs to be cut)
• Store-Vac
• Screwdriver
• Garden hose
• Flashlight
• pool filter sand or filter sand substitute (bank check your filter's transmission for the corporeality)
• Duct tape or Rubber plug
• Utility knife
• Mask
• Aftermath hose
• Diatomaceous world (D.Eastward.) powder (optional)

1.Plough Off the Pump and Drain the Filter

Turn off the filter and pump. Be sure the timer isn't set to turn on presently, and so the pump won't kicking on while everything is disconnected. If the pumps kicks on while dry out, it may burn out.

Remove the drain plug from the bottom of the filter tank, and let all the water drain out.

Tip: Draining the filter tank may take a while, then you could do this step in the morning time, then come back in the libation evening air to finish the rest.

ii. Remove the Multiport Valve

Remove the hoses or pipes that are connected to the multiport valve. If your valve is hard plumbed with PVC pipe, yous'll have to cut the pipe. If you're uncomfortable doing this, consider hiring a pro.

After the pipes have been cut, you (or a pro) can install union fittings and so next time around, you lot'll only have to unscrew a pipe plumbing equipment—no hacksaw required.

Use your screwdriver to remove the clench or collar securing the valve to the tank.

Gently twist and so pull up on the multiport valve to remove it.

Tip: The pipe fastened to the valve has laterals (like tree roots) branching out into the sand. The combination of weight from sand and twisting can pause the laterals, so take it easy.

3. Cover the Standpipe

Inside the tank is an open pipe where the valve was just removed. Comprehend information technology with duct tape to prevent sand from getting inside. If it does, that sand will get flushed correct into your pool when you outset up the pump again.

4. Remove the Sand

Utilize the Store-Vac to suck out all the old sand. If yous don't have a Shop-Vac (or you're a big fan of back pain), you can scoop the old sand out by hand with a plastic cup. This will take forever and ever.

Make friends with someone who has a Shop-Vac you can borrow, or simply invest in 1. It volition take less time, and they come in handy for a lot of other jobs.

v. Rinse Out the Tank and Laterals

With most of the sand gone, you lot'll be able to see the arms branching out of the standpipe. Use your garden hose to rinse whatsoever remaining sand out of the drain hole.

Use the flashlight to carefully inspect the standpipe and laterals for damage. Any cracks could allow sand into your puddle, so make necessary repairs before calculation fresh sand.

half-dozen. Fill up the Tank Halfway with Water

Replace the drain plug in the tank. Stick the hose down into the tank and start filling. Center the standpipe and laterals, and hold them in identify while the tank fills about halfway.

Adding some water prior to the replacement sand creates a cushion to protect the laterals from the weight of falling sand.

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7. Add together the New Sand

Put your mask on to avert breathing in dust. Check the duct record on the standpipe and add more than if necessary.

Holding the purse with a corner extending over the opening of the tank, slice information technology open with the utility knife. Relax, savour the Zen moment watching the sand bleed into the tank. Merely don't relax also much—y'all're holding a 50 lb. bag of sand.

Add one bag of sand at a time, letting it slowly pour into the tank and so it won't spill everywhere.

Of import: Merely utilise pool filter sand or filter sand substitute. Anything else can ruin your filter.

Tip: You can further increase the filtering efficiency of sand by adding a few cups of D.E. powder along with the fresh sand.

Pool Filter Sand

Coarse filter media for puddle sand filters.

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viii. Fill the Tank and Reassemble the Connections

When all the sand is in the tank, fill it to the top with h2o. Replace the multiport valve, neckband, and pipes or hoses. Make sure all the fittings are snug and secure.

ix. Backwash and Rinse the Filter

Attach the backwash hose and turn the multiport valve to aftermath. Prime number the pump, and turn it on. Backwash the filter for at least 2 minutes or until the filter's sight glass is running clear. This helps get out all of the sand dust and extra debris from the new sand.

Shut the pump off, set the multiport valve to rinse, and turn the pump back on. Rinse the filter for 1 minute.

10. Run the Filter

Close the pump off, plow the valve to filter, and turn the pump back on. Now check the pressure level gauge. This is your filter'due south normal running pressure. Remember it or write it downwards somewhere handy.

Check the estimate when you do your normal pool maintenance. When the pressure is 10 psi above normal, aftermath the filter. Using the pressure gauge every bit a backwash indicator prevents you from over-backwashing and removing the dirt and droppings your sand filter needs to function properly.

Sand-sational Chore!

Choosing which type of pool filter sand to employ is the most complicated part of this process, and you tin't actually make a incorrect choice. Information technology'southward just a matter of choosing the one that volition piece of work best for your puddle, depending on factors such equally whether you accept hard h2o, or chloramines are an issue.

Once the new sand is in and the pump is upward and running, all you lot demand to do proceed an eye on things so your filter will run at optimal efficiency until the adjacent time you have to modify the sand. With but that little bit of intendance, you can relax and swim with peace of mind for about another 5 years.

Happy Pond!

Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim University® and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. Since then, his mission is to make pool and hot tub care easy for everyone. And each year, he continues to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting.

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Source: https://www.swimuniversity.com/change-pool-filter-sand/

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