Pool sand/Filter media - pea gravel, silica, zeo

[kathleen.petrzelka]

Hey there helpful people,

Looks like its time to replace the Zeobrite in our sand filter. We purchased the home 3 years ago and the sand at that time was about 5 years old. Lately we are seeing sand on the bottom of the pool coming from the cleaning heads.

Given that we need about 600lbs of sand or a sand/pea gravel combo - what are your thoughts? Looks like with the Zeosand on Amazon we would need about 150lbs.

Thoughts on what to use? A pea gravel/sand combo?
All Silica?
Zeo?

Thanks you!

 

[Divin Dave]

Hi Kathleen,

I dont know of any really negative comments about zeobright, other than it does have to be replaced every few years.

Sand is prefectly fine filter media. Many folks use a cup or 2 of DE added to the skimmer after every backwash to increase teh filtering capability of sand. Sand doesnt wear out and so never has to be replaced *contrary to what the pool store will tell you*. It does need a good deep cleaning with a water hose every 2 or 3 years though.

Do not use pea gravel in your sand filter. It may very likely break the laterals and will degrade the filtering capability of the sand.

Hopefully others will also chime in with better info than what i can provide.

 

[woodyp]

Regular old filter sand! You can get fancy and top it off with a cup or two of DE if ya' like.

 

[kathleen.petrzelka]

Our filter calls for #20 Silica Sand - is this different than pool sand?

 

[woodyp]

That's what you want!