Cant I Just Clean Or Backwash My Sand Filter
Youll need to backwash your sand filter whenever the pressure gauge climbs to 10 pounds per square inch higher than the normal running pressure. You can also backwash if the water is a bit cloudy, but the chemistry is okay.
Backwashing rinses the sand, flushing debris to waste. It can be done as part of your routine pool maintenance, and you may need to top off the pool afterward.
If you want to give your sand a little extra cleaning, use sand filter cleaner annually. Think of this stuff as a degreaser for the sand. It helps wash out oils and other contaminants backwashing cant quite get rid of.
Both backwashing and filter cleaner help with climbing pressure and water clarity, but eventually the sand will wear down and need to be replaced. If your sand is in the three- to five-year window, and pressure and clarity are ongoing problems, its probably time for new sand.
Begin With A Backwash
All that gunk that your sand filter has caught? Youre not going to want it sitting, festering, and potentially even growing during the winterespecially since your ideal storage place is an indoor, safe place that might just be the right temperature for bacteria to thrive. Give your filter a backwash to keep it fresh this season. After the water runs clear from the nozzle, youre done backwashing. Power it down to start this next step.
Get The Right Equipment
Be sure you have everything you need on hand before you begin the process. Your list of essentials can include sand, a replacement O-ring between the valve and the tank, Teflon tape, lubricant, and unions.
Only use pool filter sand that is approved by your manufacturer. If you have any questions about what kind of sand you need, check with your local pool retailer.
Pro tip: Your pool filter has many small yet important components. Always place items like your filter drain cap in a safe, memorable place so you can find them easily during reassembly.
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How Do I Know If My Sand Filter Is Bad
There are several indications that your sand filter is bad, meaning the sand needs to be replaced or the parts need to be serviced.
The first indication is cloudy water when youve tried everything else to clean it up. This could be caused by a low flow rate.
Another thing to watch out for is backwash cycles that get shorter and shorter. This could mean your filter is greasy or dirty.
Sand in your pool is also a dead giveaway that theres a problem with your filter.
Usually, this means you have a broken lateral at the bottom of the standpipe. This is something you can fix yourself. Just be sure to follow directions carefully.
The Complete Guide To Changing Pool Filter Sand
Sand is a fantastic filtration device that prevents bacteria, algae, dead bugs from infesting your swimming pool. In this article, we will be shedding light on how you can change your pool filters sand to ensure that it keeps pumping clean water out.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of swimming in clean, transparent, and healthy water. It gives you a more enjoyable time when you have a sense of security that you and your loved ones are safe and secure. This is where the importance of being diligent in maintaining the water in your swimming pool at its best becomes essential.
Thankfully, there is a myriad of products that make sure your swimming pool will be something you can jump in any time of the year. One of the pieces of pool maintenance equipment that you need is a pool filtration system. It is a crucial part of owning a swimming pool since it keeps your water flowing clean and properly.
A reliable pool filtration system is essential since the quality of the water can affect our health. Once we are in a pool, our bodies are submerged in large amounts of water which is absorbed through the skin. Thus, we need to employ means that will reduce dirt, debris, or other harmful substances as much as we can. The key piece of equipment for this is the filtration systems of our pools!
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How Much Sand To Add To Pool Filters
Sand filters are not filled completely full of sand, but only about 2/3 full, to allow Freeboard space in the tank, above the sand bed.
Your manufacturer will list the amount of sand required on their website, usually on the brochure or spec sheet, or you can find it with a quick google search with your filter make/model.
Or, you can refer to the pool filter sand chart here. You need to know the tank diameter, which is often reflected in the filter model number, or can be found on the manufacturer spec sheet. Or you can measure the tank with a ruler.
Sand Filter Vs De Filter
A D.E. filter consists of a set of grids coated with a white powder made up of crushed seashells and fossilized diatoms . These filters can catch dirt and debris 5 microns and bigger.
Crushed seashells and fossils might sound like a weird way to clean your pool, but a D.E. filter looks like any other pool filter and functions similarly. The main difference is in how it works and how it is maintained.
The diatomaceous earth is layered over a mesh to form a fine screen. As the water passes through the system, the D.E. traps particles and debris and keeps it from going back into the pool. Like a sand filter, D.E. filters need to be backwashed to clear out stuck debris and particles before resuming regular filtration, and backwashing may need to be repeated several times. Manual cleaning of the grids is required about every 90 days.
Warning: D.E. powder can be hazardous to handle. Please use appropriate face and eyewear while servicing your filtration system.
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Need Help Understanding Pool Filter Types Contact Gps Pools
Most homeowners dont know the difference between the various pool filter types, or which filter would be best for their home. Luckily, youve got a contractor on your side who can help. GPS Pools has been serving homeowners in the Tampa area for years, and weve got the experience and expertise to help you choose the right product. Call today to set up an appointment and discuss pool filtration systems that can help.
Is Pool Filter Sand Safe For Aquariums
You may know about play sand for aquariums, but what about pool filter sand? It turns out that pool filter sand is actually an ideal substrate for aquariums. Its an excellent option for people who have animals that like to bury themselves at the bottom of the tank.
Pool filter sand is safe for your animals, and it looks very natural in a tank. The best pool sand is #50-grade sand. This is fine enough to be gentle on your fish while being coarse enough to resist clumping.
Pool filter sand can work out as a cheaper option than aquarium sand, and it still offers all the same benefits, so if you have some on hand, it really is a good alternative.
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Fill 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 place 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.
Bump That Bump Handle
If you have this type of filter, you should be well familiar with the bump handle. This lever is built into the cap of the filter pump and moves up and down. But dont be fooled by the simplicity of this part: when using this handle, its all about technique. In this case, youll want to move the bump handle up and down about ten times. Go slow when pushing the lever downward, and go fast when pulling it upward.
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Determining How Much Sand To Add
Adding or replacing the sand in a swimming pool sand filter is a natural process. However, many people go wrong when figuring out how full their sand filters should be or how much sand to add to the filter tank.
It is vital to use the ideal amount of sand to ensure that your filter works effectively. Too much or too little sand can negatively affect the performance of your filter and compromise your facilitys health.
There are several ways you can figure out how much sand to add to your filter.
Benefits Of Pool Sand Vs Zeolite
The main benefit of standard silica pool sand is that it is much cheaper than ZeoSand. You can expect to pay upward of $40 for a 50 lb bag of ZeoSand, whereas the same amount of silica sand could cost as little as $10. On the other hand, you can use approximately 50 percent less ZeoSand than silica sand in your filter, so your cost difference is less dramatic than it appears initially. ZeoSand also lasts longer than sand so you won’t need to refill your pool filter as often.
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What Kind Of Sand Goes In A Pool Filter
Quikrete 50 lb. Pool Filter Sand is a properly graded and dried sand. It is designed to be used in swimming pool filtration systems. This pool filter sand also features a tan color.
Also, can you use regular sand in a pool filter?
Many swimming pool filters use sand to trap unwanted debris and keep it out of the pool water. Pool sand is a very effective filter, but it’s also a bit pricey. Play sand and pool sand are not the same, however, and are not interchangeable.
One may also ask, how do I fill my pool filter with sand?
Moreover, how much sand goes in a pool filter?
Filter Sand Requirements For Your Sand Filter
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The Ultimate Guide To Different Types Of Pool Filters
Summer is just around the corner, and your kids are counting down the days until schools out. Their plans for the next two blissfully carefree months?
Theyve told you in no uncertain terms that they plan to spend the summer eating popsicles and jumping in the pool. That is when theyre not busy eating pizza and playing video games!
Of course, when your kids are planning to invite the whole neighborhood over for a backyard pool party and BBQ, you need to make sure that everyone is going to have a safe and awesome time. This starts with a clean and bacteria-free swimming pool.
Read on to find out about the different types of pool filters, how to clean your pool filter and signs its time to get a new one.
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Sand Filter Or Cartridge Filter: Which Is Better
A cartridge filter uses pleated fabric wrapped around a cylindrical core to filter pool water and catch debris as it goes through the system. Cartridge filters are used on pools and spas, are compact in size, and don’t need to be backwashed. They are also easy to maintain as they only need to be rinsed with a hose about every four to six weeks, depending on the size. The filter might need to be soaked in a filter cleaning solution on occasion, especially if you’ve been having trouble with algae.
In our personal opinion, cartridge filters are more effective at removing impurities and keeping the pool water clear than sand filters. Cartridge filters are also easy to maintain, catch smaller particles than sand filters, reduce the load on the pool pump, and don’t require any backwashing. As a bonus, you won’t need to handle potentially dangerous materials .
Filtering Out The Nonsense
The first thing you need to understand for us to address this question is what makes playsand , so much different from sand thats specifically designed and manufactured for swimming pools. At a quick glance:
- Pool filter sand is much smaller .45 to .55 millimeters in size compared to up to 2 millimeters across for playsand.
- To prevent children from inhaling cancer-causing silica or developing the disease silicosis, silica is deliberately removed from sandbox sand.
- Playsand has the potential to introduce contaminents into your pool, such as artificial colors, insects, water-sensitive chemicals, and more.
In other words, theres a BIG difference between these two types of sand, and they are obviously made for very incompatible purposes. To put this into perspective, would you go to the local hardware store and purchase pool filter sand for use in your childs sandbox?
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What It Means To Winterize A Pool Filter
Unless you live in a tropical paradise and can swim all year long, you probably want to close your pool for the winterafter all, youll save a ton on your monthly energy bill without running your pump for eight hours or so a day. Plus, if you live in a place with freezing temperatures, not closing your pool or winterizing your pipes properly could lead to a pretty costly toll. Part of properly closing your pool involves closing your pool filtration system, which involves disconnecting it from power, cleaning it out, uninstalling it, and storing it away for the season.
Closing season is the perfect time to cut operating costsespecially if you get even better perfomance as a result. Try the 1.5 HP Variable Speed Blue Torrent Thunder In-Ground Swimming Pool Pumpit pays itself off in under a year, is eligible for rebates, and also comes with a lifetime warranty. As customer Eric D says, Day one, I fired this pump up and it ran clean and fast.
Zeolite Filter Media Or Zeosand
Zeosand is steadily gaining popularity with pool owners including salt water pool owners for the many benefits when combing zeolite with salt water. The results of using it with a salt water system are amazing and will create incredibly clear water and it acts exactly the same way that sand does but better.
The zeolite media filters debris down to 5 microns which means you get the level of filtration of a D.E. filter without the cost or maintenance of an expensive filter system. An added benefit is that zeosand controls chloramine formation although this isn’t an issue in salt water pools. You can plan on spending half as much time backwashing compared to regular pool filter sand.
You can also use about 50% less product if you replace your old sand because it is half as dense. If your current sand pool filter requires 100 lbs of sand you will only require about 50 lbs of zeosand. This means you will have to transport less product and will be doing your part to help the environment due to less backwashing.
Zeolite filter media is an all natural product with no added chemicals so when you dispose of it you can use it as you would fertilizer. The lifespan is similar to regular pool filter sand and should last about 5 years with normal use. A few of the other advantages of zeosand include:
- Improved filtration
- Reduces water waster
- Environmentally friendly
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Next Day Delivery Details
Dohenys is pleased to offer free next day delivery at no additional charge for orders over $100 to most of the US for all Doheny’s brand chemicals and many of our most popular swimming pool supplies. Next Day Delivery Service does not mean Next Day Air, but simply that your qualifying products will be shipped from the warehouse closest to you resulting in delivery the next day. We do have a shipping charge of only $9.99 for orders under $100.00.
Some details regarding this service:Other than for Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, not all products are stocked at all locations and therefore not available for next day delivery. Only those items with a Next Day Delivery designation on the product page can be expected to arrive the next day and orders must be placed by 4 PM CT .
If you reside in the next day delivery area served by our Pleasant Prairie facility, order in-stock products and place your order by 4 PM CT you should receive your order the next day . This applies to products even if they do not have a Next Day Delivery designation.
Because next day delivery is not guaranteed for standard service and residential deliveries are made only Monday through Saturday though Saturday delivery is not guaranteed, there is a chance that our product will not arrive the next day. While we try our best, unexpected demand can cause products to occasionally be out of stock or create a warehouse backlog that also can prevent shipment the day of the order.
What Should You Use In Your Pool Filter
Zeolite and sand are both suitable mediums for a swimming pool filter, and although zeolite is more expensive, it can filter out smaller particles. This enhanced ability may result in a clearer pool however, as most people with good eyesight can’t see particles smaller than 30-40 microns in size, the effect may not be as noticeable. For many people, the main benefit of using zeolite is that its ability to remove ammonium ions from the water helps to keep more chlorine available, which means you don’t need to shock your pool as often.
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