Am I losing sand?

[Jerry]

Every time I backwash I see a little (1/8 teaspoon or less) of sand swirling around the little sight glass.
I don't have sand in the pool...am I losing sand when backwashing?
It's been 3 years since I set up this filter...Katrina flying debris cracked my old one.

 

[jdbetc]

Typically you will see a little sand in the sight glass-Imagine if you had a glass of water and some sand in it and then shook it like crazy. The sand will not settle instantly-that is why it is a good idea to backwash then rinse before you put the valve back to filter mode(assuming you have a multiport valve).