Time to change the sand?

[eemueller]

My Triton sand filter is not doing as good a job as it used to. The sand hasn't been changed in 10 years. Just recently, I had to hand vacuum my pool when the Aquabot died. As I was vacuuming, I noticed cloudy water coming from the returns. I stopped, backwashed, and then started vacuuming again, but the same thing happened. Time for new sand? Thanks.

 

[Texas Splash]

Sand doesn't generally just go bad or wear out. It may however require a deep cleaning. Have you ever done that?

 

[Texas Splash]

Just in case......

Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[eemueller]

Just in case......

Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks, Pat! I've never tried the deep cleaning, but I'll watch the video and give it a try.

 

[ferretbone]

While your doing the deep clean check to be sure there is a little metal screen on the end of the tub sticking out near the top.

 

[1poolman1]

My Triton sand filter is not doing as good a job as it used to. The sand hasn't been changed in 10 years. Just recently, I had to hand vacuum my pool when the Aquabot died. As I was vacuuming, I noticed cloudy water coming from the returns. I stopped, backwashed, and then started vacuuming again, but the same thing happened. Time for new sand? Thanks.

What size Triton? In ten years you have probably lost enough sand through backwashing to need 50 pounds in a TR60 and 100 pounds in a TR100. Typically, I have found that need after 5 years operation on almost all the sand filters I have installed. The top of the sand bed needs to be at a specific height in the tank for a sand filter to work properly. Even a filter that the instructions say needs 300 pounds may actually only need 280, but the sand comes in 50 and 100 pound bags. The excess will backwash out and then slowly so will some of the rest.

 

[eemueller]

What size Triton? In ten years you have probably lost enough sand through backwashing to need 50 pounds in a TR60 and 100 pounds in a TR100. Typically, I have found that need after 5 years operation on almost all the sand filters I have installed. The top of the sand bed needs to be at a specific height in the tank for a sand filter to work properly. Even a filter that the instructions say needs 300 pounds may actually only need 280, but the sand comes in 50 and 100 pound bags. The excess will backwash out and then slowly so will some of the rest.

I ended up getting the sand replaced, but the water is still dirty. I'm afraid the suspended particles are too small for the Triton TR-100C filter. I've ordered extra-fine filters for my Dolphin pool bot, hoping that helps. Any other suggestions? Draining the pool is really not an option. I'm considering changing to a DE filter for next season. Any thoughts on that?

 

[1poolman1]

I ended up getting the sand replaced, but the water is still dirty. I'm afraid the suspended particles are too small for the Triton TR-100C filter. I've ordered extra-fine filters for my Dolphin pool bot, hoping that helps. Any other suggestions? Draining the pool is really not an option. I'm considering changing to a DE filter for next season. Any thoughts on that?

A couple of handfuls of DE or cellulose fiber added through the skimmer will allow the filter to capture the very fine material in the pool. I prefer the cellulose as it makes very little mess when backwashed out and is completely inert and bio-degradable. For a TR-100 two handfuls is enough to put a layer over the sand bed, more would be a waste. Here is one brand:

 

[eemueller]

A couple of handfuls of DE or cellulose fiber added through the skimmer will allow the filter to capture the very fine material in the pool. I prefer the cellulose as it makes very little mess when backwashed out and is completely inert and bio-degradable. For a TR-100 two handfuls is enough to put a layer over the sand bed, more would be a waste. Here is one brand:

Thanks for the reply. Can I add the DE through the skimmer intakes, or do I need to open the top of the sand filter and pour it on top of the existing sand?

 

[1poolman1]

Thanks for the reply. Can I add the DE through the skimmer intakes, or do I need to open the top of the sand filter and pour it on top of the existing sand?

Skimmer

 

[Mdragger88]

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.google.com