Hello, just looking to confirm or refute if I am going about this correctly. My process is based on instructions the previous home owner provided.
1) Set valve to Backwash from normal Filter setting (he said 30 seconds, be we've found it better to go around 3 minutes)
2) Set valve to Rinse (he said or to Waste, until reasonably clear on top site glass of sand filter). I'd say maybe a minute or two for the Rinse?
3) Set valve to Waste (he said 15 seconds, but I've found if it's really dirty, need to go for about 30 seconds or it will blow back into the pool via return jets).
4) Set valve back to filter
My concern is that when set to Waste for that long, it seems to REALLY drain the water FAST, so I then have to refill with well water. Is it necessary to even use the Waste part of the process? I'm guessing so, or how else does the crud ever go away? I am not even totally clear what each step is actually doing within the filter, I can only guess.
Second question related to sand filters. How often do you really need to replace the sand? We've been in the home for 3 yrs now, but we only get about 3 months of swimming so not nearly as lucky as you year-rounders get. Anyway, I have no idea if it's ever been replaced, nor do I know the real age of the pool. The filter is a Triton TR100 and the specs on it say 175# of 1/8"-1/4" of pea gravel and 400# of sand. If I use a filter cleaning chemical, does that help extend the life of it and really what is the anticipated life-span of the sand?
Thanks again.
1) Set valve to Backwash from normal Filter setting (he said 30 seconds, be we've found it better to go around 3 minutes)
2) Set valve to Rinse (he said or to Waste, until reasonably clear on top site glass of sand filter). I'd say maybe a minute or two for the Rinse?
3) Set valve to Waste (he said 15 seconds, but I've found if it's really dirty, need to go for about 30 seconds or it will blow back into the pool via return jets).
4) Set valve back to filter
My concern is that when set to Waste for that long, it seems to REALLY drain the water FAST, so I then have to refill with well water. Is it necessary to even use the Waste part of the process? I'm guessing so, or how else does the crud ever go away? I am not even totally clear what each step is actually doing within the filter, I can only guess.
Second question related to sand filters. How often do you really need to replace the sand? We've been in the home for 3 yrs now, but we only get about 3 months of swimming so not nearly as lucky as you year-rounders get. Anyway, I have no idea if it's ever been replaced, nor do I know the real age of the pool. The filter is a Triton TR100 and the specs on it say 175# of 1/8"-1/4" of pea gravel and 400# of sand. If I use a filter cleaning chemical, does that help extend the life of it and really what is the anticipated life-span of the sand?
Thanks again.