Where Can I Buy Sand For My Pool Filter

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 Full Should My Pool Sand Filter Be

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that at no cost to you, we may earn a small commission for qualifying purchases.

Are you wondering how much sand you should add to your sand filter? Excessive sand in your filter can make backwash and rinsing to be ineffective.

Well, this article can help you figure out the type and amount of sand you should add to your filter. It is a guide that can work for most products on the market today, but I would recommend you follow the manufacturers instructions.

Above Ground Sand Pool Filters

27 Items

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Best Pool Sand Filters

January 6, 2021 By Austin Henderson

Swimming pool sand filters are among the most commonly used pool filters. Even so, it isnt always easy to decide which are high in quality as there are dozens on the market. To help you narrow down your search, our team has tested and reviewed the 9 top-rated options available on the market today so you find the best pool sand filter for your swimming pool.

The pool sand filters on our list have an adequate flow rate , are easy to maintain, and have good durability. We focused on these features as well as price and performance when creating our top nine products list.

Want the TLDR Version? Weve got you covered! Our #1 pick for the best pool sand filter is the Hayward S166T ProSeries Sand Filter.

Choosing The Best Sand For Pool Filter

Are you stressed out by finding the perfect sand for pool filter? When considering the purchase of sand for pool filter in general, have you ever felt uncertain about what model to select?

You dont have to worry about being alone sometimes just knowing that you arent. The perfect sand for pool filter can be hard to find for many people. That is why were here to assist!

This page is obviously regarding Cheap sand for pool filter Reviews which is why youve come here. Before committing, locate a source with a variety of options to make an informed decision.

Obtaining information can be done in several ways using online buying guides, independent product reviews you find across the internet, word-of-mouth recommendations, forums where users share their experiences, and even YouTube channels. It is only through thorough research that one can come across the best products.

Correct? Does it always seem too hard to accomplish that? For that reason, we have gathered a list of the top sand for pool filter products on the market, for your convenience.

Our list was compiled based on what led us to do so? How did we come up with this guide?

We first gathered product information from reliable sources using the algorithms we had created.

Various methods for verification of collected data were used, including artificial intelligence and big data sets.

Our products arent chosen randomly. We take several factors into consideration before putting together a list. Among them are:

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Recycled Glass Filter Media

Another new addition to the world of pool filtration is recycled glass. We don’t need to explain how good this is for the environment but we can say that in addition to providing a use for all the glass in the world it also reduces water waste when backwashing.

The recycled glass filter media is manufactured to have the same size and quality of regular pool filter sand that is #20 and about 0.5 mm in size with a few added benefits. The most impressive is the fact that glass has a negative charge that will actually attract micro particles in addition to filtering it more effectively. More of the filter media will be used compared to sand that tends to only use the top 4-6 inches in most sand filters.

It is most popular with indoor pools because of its ability to prevent chloramines where air quality is an issue. It also appears to produce crystal clear water compared to regular pool filter sand and for some commercial pool companies it is the new filter media of choice.

If there wasn’t enough benefits to list there is maybe the most important one and that is it lasts a long time. It’s estimated that the recycled glass will last 10 or more years with regular backwashing and cleaning. Let’s take a look at the benefits compared to regular sand:

• Exceptional filtration

• Increased air quality
• Environmentally friendly

Disclaimer

What Is Pool Filtration Sand

If your swimming pool has a filter, then the likelihood is that its a sand filter. This type of filter uses sand to remove dirt and debris from the water. Sand filters are highly effective because, unlike other filter types, they remove larger debris such as insects and leaves as well as invisible dirt particles such as algae and phosphates that are the real pool polluters.

To be effective, you cant just use any sand in your filter. It must be refined silica pool sand with a mesh size of 12×20 or 16×30. That means the smallest grain will be 12 or 16 thousands of an inch, while the largest will be 20 or 30 thousands of an inch. There should be no grains that are bigger or smaller than that. If the grains are too small, they will pass through the filter and end up back in your pool. If the grains are too big, they will not remove the finer solids in your pool.

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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.

Hth 50 Pounds Of Pool Filter Sand

HTH offers a #20 standard silica sand at a grade of 0.45 millimeters. Its a very basic pool filter sand, though its priced higher than many of the similar competitors. While it is thoroughly washed, it doesnt offer the same 100% natural and chemical-free standard to match our top two picks. For filters that seem to be passing through other brands of sand, the HTH sand seemed to have slightly larger grains that didnt pass through the filter. The drawback was that this sand did have a tendency to clump up in the filter a little bit. Although it was easily remedied, at this price, wed hope to see it needing less maintenance.

ZeoBest is a Zeolite filter medium similar to ZeoSand that mirrors the same benefits. Your pool filter only needs half as much ZeoBest by weight to do the same job as the sand it replaces. Its able to filter down to 3 microns for cleaner, clearer water than could be achieved with standard pool sand. Because it can hold more particulates, ZeoBest requires backwashing less often than regular sand does. Unfortunately, the bag we got displayed the same problems as the ZeoSand, clouding up the water with a greenish tint and requiring copious amounts of backwashing before it can be safely used. The weight savings and great filtration ability are awesome, but youll have to decide if its worth the tradeoff. Once you have it back washed and running it should be good for five years.

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Zeosand 50 Pounds Swimming Pool Sand Premium Choice

ZeoSand is a bit different than other pool filter sands. Zeosand is half the weight of normal sand, which means it takes half as much ZeoSand to fill your filter. Although it is accompanied by a premium sticker price, since you only need half as much, it may actually be a more economical option in the end. Because of its different physical structure, ZeoSand can filter out much finer particles than normal pool sand is capable of, featuring 3 microns for ZeoSand compared to 20 microns for other pool filter sands.

The unique makeup of ZeoSand does come with a drawback though. This sand requires very extensive backwashing prior to use. Failure to do so results in zeo dust turning your pool green. When we first started running the ZeoSand, we noticed a bit of cloudiness in the water. After just a short while, it had spread to the entire pool. We had to start over, and this time backwashed it repeatedly for extended periods to make sure it was really cleaned. This drawback is enough to keep the ZeoSand out of our top two positions.

• Requires extensive backwashing prior to use

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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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 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.

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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:

Best Choice Products Pro 2400gph 13 Sand Filter Above Ground Swimming Pool Pump 10000gal

Best Choice are one of the most popular manufacturers of pumps and filter systems for above ground pools. The Pro 2400GPH model is easy to install and easy to use.

This sand filter pump system complies with CSA standards.

The Pro 2400GPH 13 also fits most current surface pools and is a cost-effective low maintenance option to keep your pool clean and free of sediments.

The sand filter drum measures 23.5 H × 13W with capacity 42 lb. sand filter. Has a size of 18.5 x 26.5 x 23.5 inches and weighs 26.2 pounds.

This system has a powerful 2.4 gallon per minute pump and a 4 function valve.

The Bad

• You need to buy sand separately as this will not come with the filter.

The Good

• The sand bed has a large capacity, which allows it to trap a greater amount of dirt and use longer filtration cycles.
• It works with elevated pools of up to 10,000 gallons and has a self-priming pump.
• The pump is thermally protected and the filter basket is included.
• The size of the sand is 0.018-0.022 inches. This tiny size means it will catch a lot more dirt and sediments.
• It is labeled ETL listed. This means that the product has been independently tested and meets the applicable safety standard.
• It has a large capacity sand bed.
• Comes with a 60 day guarantee.

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Quick Dip: Pool Filter Sand Vs Play Sand Whats The Difference

Why Using Play Sand in Your Pools Filter is Asking for Trouble.

Question: Why cant I just use play sand from Home Depot or Lowes in my swimming pool filter? It is a bit cheaper. Are there any downsides to this? Whats the difference between play sand and pool sand?

In the words of Anakin Skywalker, I dont like sand, its course, rough and gets everywhere. Having gritty sand pouring into your pool is one of the last things you want, but is just what can happen if you use the WRONG sand in your pools sand filter system.

What Is The Best Way To Get Sand Out Of A Pool

You might be relieved to know that getting all the sand out of your pool is not terribly difficult. But what you might not want to hear is that its going to take a little time.

Its a process!

Youll obviously need your pool vac for this, but itll probably take a little bit more work than just a normal vacuuming.

Now, some people will tell you to set the valve to filter so that it will go right back into the filter. This seems logical, but it can actually cause all the sand to get stuck inside the vacuum and further damage the filter.

After all, remember, the reason the sand got into your pool in the first place is probably because your filter isnt working the way it should.

HOWEVER, another option is to fix your pool filter or replace it before removing the sand. In this scenario, you would, in fact, be able to use the filter setting to remove the sand.

BUT its always worth a try if it can be saved. Especially since the parts are inexpensive and easy to replace.

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