Baker Hydro Sand Filter Help

[Sea Speed]

We bought a new house with an older pool that has a baker hydro sand filter. Shortly after we bought the house we had a big bloom of yellow algae which I think have knocked down. I work away from home for weeks at a time so I had someone come take a look at the pool while I was gone and he said that I probably needed more sand in my filter but he was unable to do it because he couldn't get the parts.

In the mean time as I said before, we knocked down the algae and I replaced the spider gasket on my MPV. things seem to be humming along but I just cleaned a bunch of sand off the bottom of my pool and there is a ton of particulate matter suspended in the pool. Certainly some of that is from the blown out spider gasket, but I cant imagine it will hurt to add or change the sand.

I dug around and believe I found the parts I need but wanted to check here before ordering to make sure I have everything I need on hand before I mess with it. I assume I will need the laterals here. Is there anything else I should look for before I start trying to dig in to it?

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[Sea Speed]

I will add he also recommended I move to a cartridge filter but that would be a several thousand dollar upgrade. We live in a pretty wooded area, does that make a difference in that regard? Any reason to make the switch?

 

[Sea Speed]

anyone?

 

[duraleigh]

Stay with sand.....you're used to it and it works. Replace the laterals only if they are damaged. When you remove the top, inspect the sand thoroughly......it will need a DEEP cleaning but perhaps that's all. Sand should come up about 2/3 from the top. Your filter will be refurbished and last for many years. Looks like you have maintained it well.

You will need to SLAM the pool but fix your filter first.

 

[1poolman1]

anyone?

As long as you are happy with the sand filter, that is all that matters. In case of an algae issue, adding a couple of handfuls of DE or pool cellulose fiber (the better option) will help clear it faster. Given the age of the filter, it might be good to go ahead and rebuild it. Best guess is you have plenty of room for the backwash/rinse water. No on that I have ever removed a cartridge filter and replaced with a sand filter has ever complained, and that's probably a hundred over the years. In a heavily wooded area, it is the best filter you can have.

 

[duraleigh]

Might be a good time to get a new, better gauge. TFTestkits has them for about 30, I think

 

[Sea Speed]

We just bought this home so I am not used to the system at all. I just replaced the spider gasket but believe I need to add some sand to the filter or at least check it, but I've never worked on these before. Is it really as simple as opening the top and adding sand or do I need to really empty the whole thing out and replace all of the sand and clean it out. I am under the impression that the laterals are pretty regularly damaged when you open these to add sand and inspect them. Of the spider gasket is any indication, it has been a while since it was serviced.

 

[Sea Speed]

As long as you are happy with the sand filter, that is all that matters. In case of an algae issue, adding a couple of handfuls of DE or pool cellulose fiber (the better option) will help clear it faster. Given the age of the filter, it might be good to go ahead and rebuild it. Best guess is you have plenty of room for the backwash/rinse water. No on that I have ever removed a cartridge filter and replaced with a sand filter has ever complained, and that's probably a hundred over the years. In a heavily wooded area, it is the best filter you can have.

I have a couple handfuls of DE on hand that I can throw in.

 

[kellyfair]

Your laterals won’t be damaged by you opening up the filter to have a look. Just don’t root around in there and knock into them. You’ll need to remove sand to inspect them, and then, when you are ready to refill, add water to the filter first to lessen the impact of the sand. Be sure not to get sand into the center pipe. You can use an inverted cup to cover it while you add sand.