What Type Of Sand For Pool Filter

The Best Above Ground Pool Sand Filters Online

When choosing your next pool sand filter, you should consider other factors besides the filter type.

For instance, you will need to consider factors like filter efficiency, durability and, above all, its maintenance requirements.

And last, but not least, it is extremely important to make sure that the filtration system you choose matches the size of your pool.

There are many options when it comes to sand pool filters but Ive shortlisted the best ones I could find.

Below is my review of each one, including all their negative points.

Quikrete Pool Filter Sand

These filter balls really do look like fluffy little cotton balls, but theyre actually made of tightly woven polyethylene fiber.

They are simple, lightweight, and filter out particles as small as 3 microns. That efficiency stands up to the best DE filters on the market!

All you need is a 1.5 pound box to replace every 50 lbs of sand your filter requires. For most filters, that means you wont need more than two boxes.

Backwash And Rinse The Filter

Attach the backwash hose and turn the multiport valve to backwash. Prime the pump, and turn it on. Backwash the filter for at least two minutes or until the filters 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 one minute.

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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.

Aqua Quartz Pool Filter Sand

Aqua Quartz is a 50 LB bag of swimming pool filter sand. It is specially designed for residential swimming pools and commercial swimming pools that use sand filters. This swimming pool sand is graded to meet and exceed the industry standards so it is safe to use on any brand of swimming pool sand filter. This product is a finely graded sand that works on any size swimming pool as long as you have the proper size sand filter for the size of your swimming pool.

Many homeowners do not have the right size filter for their swimming pools and no matter how many times they change the sand or switch brands, unless you have the right size filter it doesnt matter what grade of swimming pool sand you have. The idea is to not spend a lot of money on maintenance of your swimming pool and by using the Aqua Quartz Pool Filter Sand you can do just that. Simply change the sand at the beginning of the swimming pool season and you will have swimming pool filter that will work hard to keep particles out of the swimming pool and keep the cost down on maintenance. You can buy the Aqua Quartz Pool Filter Sand at your local Ace Hardware Store. It is very affordable it is priced at $ 14.03.

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What Size Filter For My Pool

Once you’ve decided on what type of filter you will use, it is now very important to get the right size. It should be sized to match the pump’s power, and shoul match the circulation needs of the pool. If the filter is too small, you’ll spend too much time cleaning it.

Do Not Buy Above Ground Pool Sand Filters Until You Read This

Before talking about above ground pool sand filters, lets talk about your pool.

Above ground pools usually include a number of things when you buy them. For instance, you will typically get a floor cloth, chemicals, a maintenance kit, a winter cover, a lamp, a ladder and a filter / pump system.

Notice that you already get a filter included?

However, the problem is that most sand filters that are included with above-ground pools are not always the best quality.

Many pool owners find that the included filters are neither effective nor fully functional.

Using a weak or inefficient filter for a long period of time can cause water or mechanical problems for your above ground pool.

Apart from being weaker than sand filters that are available on the general market, the included filters are also likely to be smaller.

So if you find that your pool has a small, inefficient sand filter then it is time to upgrade.

This article reviews the best above ground pool sand filters and pumps available to buy today. Most of which cost between $200 to $400.

I only select products that are manufactured by top brands like Intex, Pentair and Hayward. Which are all well established and well known pool filter companies.

Unlike other online reviews, Ill be pointing out all the flaws and bad points about each product.

So, lets get started.

Contents

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What Are Pool Filter Sands For

Sand filters are one of the most popular and common options for keeping swimming pools safe and healthy. This type of filter utilises sand as its filtering agent, and it does so by trapping debris when it passes through so that it is only clean and filtered water that flows through your pool. The sand filters do not have any fibre or paper parts that easily tear or clog, so sand filters have a great chance of lasting longer since they do not require much maintenance and repair.

Pool sand filters work by allowing water to cycle through a container that has sand in it. The water flows through without much trouble, but larger particles such as pool dirt will be trapped. Once these said dirt and debris are collected, it is only clean and safe water that flows back out to your swimming pool.

Here is the interesting thing about these sand filters: they become more efficient and effective with use! As the filter collects more particles and debris the filter collects particles and debris passing through the sand filter. This is another fringe advantage of a sand filter that makes this such an efficient and reliable piece of equipment for your swimming pool.

When And Why Change Pool Filtration Sand

Do you want your pool water to be of optimal quality all summer long? Want to know how to properly maintain your filter to get there? Youre in the right place!Pool filters work thanks to different filtration media, like sand and glass. To maximize the life of your filter and the quality of your water, you must use the right medium and replace it at the right frequency.

Our experts have tackled the matter to answer all your questions!

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Quikrete 50 Lbs Of Pool Filter Sand

This Quikrete pool filter sand is at the top end of the price range. Since pool filters can often hold hundreds of pounds of sand, the extra expense is going to add up by the time your filter is refilled. This sand is a nice pure white color that makes it seem clean just based on looks. With a 20/40 gradation, it should be perfect for use in almost any pool filter. However, in our testing, this sand was a bit too fine and was being pushed through the filter and into the pool, resulting in a lot of wasted time spent cleaning up the mess.

• Outprices other pool filter sands
• Still just sand

Change The Filtration Sand When The Time Comes

Now you know when to change the sand in your pool filter and why it is important. Changing the sand in a pool filter is an operation that can usually be done in one day with a few common tools. Follow the instructions of your pool filter manufacturer or contact an expert to help you choose your filtration product!

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When Should I Change The Sand In My Pool Filter

Most experts recommend changing your pool filter sand every five years or so, but truthfully, this can vary depending on usage and the size of your tank.

Basically, if your filter stops doing its job and its been a few years since you replaced the sand, its probably time to do so.

This, of course, is assuming its been backwashed often and taken care of.

How To Clean A Sand Pool Filter

To clean a sand pool filter, youll need to do something called backwashing. And before you ever get started, youll need to turn the power off at the breaker.

Then, youll look for a setting on your filter called backwash and turn it to that setting.

Next, check the waste hose to make sure its securely connected to the valve. Also make sure there are no kinks in it so it will allow for easy water flow.

Now, turn the power back on at the breaker and the pool pump. Let it run for a couple of minutes or until it runs clear.

Turn the pump off and set the valve to rinse. Turn the pump on again and let it run for another couple of minutes, or until it once again runs clear.

Once youre all done, you can set your pump back to filter to return to normal use.

For a more thorough walkthrough, check out this video:

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What Type Of Pool Filter Is Best

Everybody has different opinions on this. Sand filters are probably the most popular because theyre inexpensive and last a long time.

But DE filters are the most efficient, filtering out the smallest particles of any other media.

Cartridge filters are a good middle of the road choice. They filter out more debris than sand but less than DE.

However, these are very convenient and easy to maintain. You simply toss and replace when theyre too dirty to hose off.

What Are The Different Types Of Pool Filters

There are three basic types of pool filters used to clean the impurities from the water in swimming pools. The different types are sand filters, cartridge filters and diatomaceous earth filters. Any of these filters can be used to maintain any pool.

The most inexpensive of the three kinds of pool filters are the sand filters. This type of filter works by filtering water through a bed of sand. Lateral tubes at the bottom of the sand then separate the clean water from the dirty water. Water is pushed through the filter sand, and as the filter separates the water, the dirty water is sent to the top while the clean water exits through the bottom.

Debris can plug up and block sand filters, causing the pressure to increase in the filter, dropping the flow of water. This can be fixed by running the system in reverse to backwash the filter, leaving it cleaned. The filter is then placed on its rinse mode where it repacks the sand back into the filter.

Maintenance can be done manually every couple of weeks to keep the sand filter in proper working order. Sand filters are inexpensive and easy to replace. The downside to owning a sand filter is that it sometimes allows smaller particles to pass through into the pool.

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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?

Filter Media Replacement Cost:

Sand: Pool Filter sand is very cheap if you can find it locally, usually about $10 per 50 lbs. Over time the sand will lose its sharp edges, resulting in a filter tank filled with tiny ping pong balls! Most inground pool filters use about 300 lbs of filter sand, but a larger sand filter can hold 500 lbs, which is still a low total cost, as long as you dont pay to have it shipped! Filter sand alternatives exist, however, which are cost effective to ship such as PolyBALLS, ZeoSand and Filter Glass.

DE: DE filter grids are the fabric coated plastic frames. Over time, the stitching will unravel or holes can develop in the fabric. If you are handy with an awl, you can sew up holes, but if they are old or damaged from bad water chemistry, DE grid replacement is in order. Most DE filters have eight grids, and complete DE grid sets are available for $100-$150 or individually for around $20 each.

Cartridge: Filter cartridges, like the air cleaner in your car, wont last forever. The fibers in the fabric will separate over time and can develop holes or thin spots. It is advised to replace pool filter cartridges after 12-15 cleanings, or within a 3-5 year timeframe. Large cartridge filters, with four 32-inch tall cartridges, can go an entire season without cleaning on some pools and can last 6 or 7 years in some cases. Replacement costs for cartridges vary but can be as much as $125 each for inground pool filters

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Why Does Silica Sand Make A Great Pool Filter

Previous blog posts have discussed silica sand and sand filters, but havent focused specifically on swimming pool filtration. Im sure you would prefer to be gazing at your crystal-clear swimming pool , so lets get started: Why does silica sand make a great pool filtration media?

Silica sand is made up of the mineral quartz and is

However, its important to select quality silica sand that is properly washed and graded for pool filtration. Industry best practice is to use #20 Silica Sand which is greater than 95% silica and guarantees an effective grain size of 0.45 to 0.55 millimetres, trapping particles with diameters between 20 and 80 microns . This gradation ensures that when water is pulled into the filter via a pool pump, contaminants like dirt, oil and debris will get trapped in minute spaces between sand grains. Only clean water flows back to the pool.

The wrong type of sand can destroy filtration systems. Regular/brown sands contain impurities that could contaminate your pool water. Additionally, the wrong gradation will not effectively trap debris and will end up in your pool.

How do you know when it is time to change your filtration sand?

Glass Sand Media Ratios:

Unlike silica sand filter media where you just fill it up, glass sand has a ratio so its good to know how much of which grade to buy depending on your filter size.

• 21 Sand filter 2 bags coarse and 2 bags fine
• 25 Sand Filter 2 bags coarse and 5 bags fine
• 28 Sand Filter 4 bags coarse and 5 bags fine
• 30 Sand Filter 4 bags coarse and 7 bags fine

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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.

What Is The Right Sand For A Swimming Pool Filter

Sep 13, 2017 | Above Ground Pools, Pool Maintenance, Pool Science, Swimming Pool Filtration

If you have a swimming pool filter then the likelihood is that it is a sand filter. As the name suggests a sand filter uses sand to filter the impurities out of the water. Sand is put in the filter vessel and the water is forced under pressure through the bed of sand. The water molecules pass through the gaps between the sand grains but solids in the water are held back in the gaps between the grains.

You cannot use just any old sand in a swimming pool filter it has to be a special refined grade of sand known as 16/30 grade. The numbers refer to the size range of the grains in thousandths of an inch. In 16/30 grade sand the smallest grain will be 16 thousandths of an inch, there should be no grains smaller than this. The largest grain will be 30 thousandths of an inch, there should be no grain bigger than this.

This type of sand is not usually kept in stock in builders merchants or DIY superstores but you can buy it from PoolStore. It comes in 25 kg bags and a typical filter requires 6 or 7 bags. Rather than load them all in your car, we can deliver them to you door the next working day.

It is essential to use the correct sand in your pool filter

If the grains are bigger than 30thou they will be too big to catch the fine solids in the water.

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