Hi all! Lotsa’ questions for ya today!!! 
I’m replacing the media in my filter (bought it used, and used it for the last two years- don’t know how long it had been since the sand was last changed).
Last year I developed serious problems with staining and algae
(vinyl liner, above-ground, 15’x 26’ Mirage) so I figured I’d start off with new media this year - just to cover all the bases & try to head it off at the pass!
The filter is a Hayward Club Pro High Rate Sand Filter,
Model SM 1906T.
Flow rate=40GPM.
On the filter label it says: .45-.55mm
No. 20 or No. 1/2
Silica Filter Sand
175lbs.
I’ve been reading some of the discussions and I may go with glass because of purported better cleansing abilities and to use less water for backwashing as I don’t want to continually add my BRUTALLY HARD water- possibly exacerbating the stain problem (not sure if I got it 100% resolved by the end of last season)
So, my questions are as follows:
1) Is it OKAY to substitute glass when the label/manual specify silica sand?
2) Are the weights similar?
3) What about the volume?
(How do I determine the amount I need?)
I’ve heard of some people adding DE in conjunction with the glass.
4) How much DE do you know to add?
5) Does it have to be replenished on a regular basis?
6) If so, how much, how often, and do I have to take the filter apart to add it?
I have off-the-charts hard water- very high in calcium…and trying to determine if it’s copper or iron causing the staining grief- but leaning towards copper.
I’ve recently read about some inline filters (supposedly made specifically for pool filling) that can be attached directly to a garden hose. You can get different micron rating but the lowest combination one will filter out particles as small as 3microns- which covers the copper, iron, and calcium.
7) Since both glass and DE filter particles that size, do you think it could possibly resolve the iron/copper (and calcium) issue (and save me the cost of buying the filters)?
8) Can DE be used on it’s own, as the only media you put in the filter?
9) If so, how much do you know to put in your filter?
10) What’s involved with the media maintenance beside regular backwashing?
(It may be well worth the trade off if it keeps the stains at bay!)
11) I buy large bags of DE at the Co-op- spread it on gardens to kill slugs and ants, and sometimes mix it in with the horse’s feed- good for their gut function and possibly keeps parasites under control
)
I believe there are different ‘grades’ of DE- one is ‘Food Grade’.
Is there a specific grade that has to be used in pool filters, or does it matter?
12) If it’s a specific grade, suggestions on where to get it?
I’m attaching a couple of pics of some pool sand I bought awhile back. Just wondering if anyone has used it or has any opinions on how it pertains to my questions?
The side of the bag says 49/20…so I’m ‘guessing’ that means .49mm and a #20, which falls within the requirements for this filter.
I also need 175 lbs, and only have 100lbs at the moment. Can I mix another type of silica in, or could I use 75lbs. of DE??
(I think this stuff was pretty pricey if I recall correctly. I want to say like $75 a bag. Does that sound right? (I thought I saw someone quoting under $10 a bag).
And finally…just curious about this one……how exactly DOES one determine if a pump/filter are too large or too small for the size of their pool? Is there a calculation?
(My pool holds (roughly!) 11,500 gallons/43,000L.)
Feedback about any of the above questions welcomed - including any input regarding the inline filters I mentioned that can be put on a hose!! I’m quite intrigued by this option!
Thanks in advance for any advice offered!
Patti
I’m replacing the media in my filter (bought it used, and used it for the last two years- don’t know how long it had been since the sand was last changed).
Last year I developed serious problems with staining and algae
(vinyl liner, above-ground, 15’x 26’ Mirage) so I figured I’d start off with new media this year - just to cover all the bases & try to head it off at the pass!The filter is a Hayward Club Pro High Rate Sand Filter,
Model SM 1906T.
Flow rate=40GPM.
On the filter label it says: .45-.55mm
No. 20 or No. 1/2
Silica Filter Sand
175lbs.
I’ve been reading some of the discussions and I may go with glass because of purported better cleansing abilities and to use less water for backwashing as I don’t want to continually add my BRUTALLY HARD water- possibly exacerbating the stain problem (not sure if I got it 100% resolved by the end of last season
)So, my questions are as follows:
1) Is it OKAY to substitute glass when the label/manual specify silica sand?
2) Are the weights similar?
3) What about the volume?
(How do I determine the amount I need?)
I’ve heard of some people adding DE in conjunction with the glass.
4) How much DE do you know to add?
5) Does it have to be replenished on a regular basis?
6) If so, how much, how often, and do I have to take the filter apart to add it?
I have off-the-charts hard water- very high in calcium…and trying to determine if it’s copper or iron causing the staining grief- but leaning towards copper.
I’ve recently read about some inline filters (supposedly made specifically for pool filling) that can be attached directly to a garden hose. You can get different micron rating but the lowest combination one will filter out particles as small as 3microns- which covers the copper, iron, and calcium.
7) Since both glass and DE filter particles that size, do you think it could possibly resolve the iron/copper (and calcium) issue (and save me the cost of buying the filters)?
8) Can DE be used on it’s own, as the only media you put in the filter?
9) If so, how much do you know to put in your filter?
10) What’s involved with the media maintenance beside regular backwashing?
(It may be well worth the trade off if it keeps the stains at bay!)
11) I buy large bags of DE at the Co-op- spread it on gardens to kill slugs and ants, and sometimes mix it in with the horse’s feed- good for their gut function and possibly keeps parasites under control
)I believe there are different ‘grades’ of DE- one is ‘Food Grade’.
Is there a specific grade that has to be used in pool filters, or does it matter?
12) If it’s a specific grade, suggestions on where to get it?
I’m attaching a couple of pics of some pool sand I bought awhile back. Just wondering if anyone has used it or has any opinions on how it pertains to my questions?
The side of the bag says 49/20…so I’m ‘guessing’ that means .49mm and a #20, which falls within the requirements for this filter.
I also need 175 lbs, and only have 100lbs at the moment. Can I mix another type of silica in, or could I use 75lbs. of DE??
(I think this stuff was pretty pricey if I recall correctly. I want to say like $75 a bag. Does that sound right? (I thought I saw someone quoting under $10 a bag).
And finally…just curious about this one…
…how exactly DOES one determine if a pump/filter are too large or too small for the size of their pool? Is there a calculation?(My pool holds (roughly!) 11,500 gallons/43,000L.)
Feedback about any of the above questions welcomed - including any input regarding the inline filters I mentioned that can be put on a hose!! I’m quite intrigued by this option!
Thanks in advance for any advice offered!
Patti
I watched the video and will definitely make one, but…my water looks nothing like these videos I’m seeing with red water- and no sediment on the bottom! (I’m becoming more & more convinced that it is copper…
). So near the end of summer I took that out and started working on the stains. I’m kind of dreading even opening the pool because I don’t want to have to deal with it. 
And to make matters even worse…It was a brand new - (and custom-cut$$$ liner
which REALLY upset me.) 
my only option will be to drain the pool & put a heavy duty plastic liner in (it’s a specific weight & type of plastic- just can’t recall). I thought about leaving the other liner in for another layer of protection (cut the coping bead off and duct tape it to the metal). Then put the plastic in to the same height (so NO water can get in anywhere!!!), then put the new pool liner in. 
