Help me choose a sand filter

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S

saltystevo

0
Jun 8, 2018
77
CT
15X30 oval AGP
2 speed 1 HP hayward pump
Currently a cartriage filter

I would like to try out a sand filter and im looking for recommendations.
I heard buy bigger then needed and im all about that. Im looking for quality and at the same time not over spending on name .
Is there a difference between a above and below ground sand filter?

Currently looking at a Hayward S244T

What do you guys recommend?
 
shrid said:
Sand filter do not filter out small items like a cartage filter does. In order from largest partical to smallest it goes sand, cartage, and then DE. Why are you wanting to try out a sand filter?
Click to expand...
True.
I had a hard time with the equipment and chemistry this year. Chemistry is 100%... life and humans arent. And so constant cleaning out the cartridge instead of backwashing is what im looking at. Plus ive seen some others with sand filters and they were just as clear as mine on a good day. Maybe they have that new updated sand that filters out more? Not to sure.
 
De might be a better choice. I have a cartage and have always had cartages in all my past pools. There are things that can be done to help with the cartage cleaning. Stuff like hair nets in the skimmer baskets. Does your system use a Suction side cleaner? If so their are traps that can be put in line to help cut down the amount of elements makeing it to the cartage.
 
mknauss said:
No such thing as 'new updated sand that filters out more'. Sand is millions of years old. And the best thing to use in a sand filter.

All filters have pluses and minuses.

Pool School - Pool Filter Comparison
Click to expand...
There are many different types of sand that are millions of years old. Not sure if someone was misled at a pool store but he told me that theres a different sand that filters down to almost a cartridge.
 
shrid said:
De might be a better choice. I have a cartage and have always had cartages in all my past pools. There are things that can be done to help with the cartage cleaning. Stuff like hair nets in the skimmer baskets. Does your system use a Suction side cleaner? If so their are traps that can be put in line to help cut down the amount of elements makeing it to the cartage.
Click to expand...
Ive been thinking about this too. I had a filter sock in the skimmer basket but it was a PITA to put on and keep put when emptying the basket. I was thinking of getting a smaller basket to fit inside the original to easily lift out leaves and keep the sock in place.
What inline solutions were you thinking about?
And i never knew there was a net or prefilter for the cartridge. That would make alot more sense
 
As Marty said, there is no "new" type of sand........that's just bogus. And while cartridge and DE filter more fine particles, a properly operated sand filter leaves your water completely crystal clear.......that is usually good enough!
Ive been thinking about this too. I had a filter sock in the skimmer basket but it was a PITA to put on and keep put when emptying the basket.
Click to expand...
If ease of use is VERY important to you, most people say that sand is the easiest.

The key to getting a crystal clear pool (from ANY of the three types) is to size it properly, operate it properly and keep you chemistry correct.

shrid, the item you posted is an inline leaf catcher for a suction side vacuum cleaner and not really pertinent to filters.

Saltystevo, an S244T is a good size for your pool but probably not for your pump. Essentially, your pump is a little too big for that filter and unnecessarily large for your pool.

A 1 HP pump is better suited but you didn't say you were in the market for a pump. If you are keeping that pump, look at the S310T filter as a better fit.
 
I started with a sand filter 25 years ago. I switched to DE 20 years ago. Sand worked OK but I always had some sediment settling on bottom of pool. DE worked better but it required a lot of maintenance and it was tricky getting just the right amount of DE. I recently switched to cartridge and I couldn't be happier. No backwashing and the only maintenance is once- a- year cleaning and replace cartridge in 5 years or so. I am happier with cartridge than I was with sand or DE.
 

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I have to say my sand filter works quite well. When I want a little extra polish to the water I add a bit of DE to the sand filter (via the skimmer) and its great. Skimmer socks in the skimmer save any filter from a little more dirt.

Whenever the sand filter is backwashed you need to replace the DE.

IMO, if you're good with your chemistry any filter is fine. If you sometimes have algae problems a sand filter will be the easiest to work with but perhaps a bit slower to clear. A cartridge or DE filter will require far more attention than a sand filter at those times.

Maddie :flower:
 
duraleigh said:
As Marty said, there is no "new" type of sand........that's just bogus. And while cartridge and DE filter more fine particles, a properly operated sand filter leaves your water completely crystal clear.......that is usually good enough!If ease of use is VERY important to you, most people say that sand is the easiest.

The key to getting a crystal clear pool (from ANY of the three types) is to size it properly, operate it properly and keep you chemistry correct.

shrid, the item you posted is an inline leaf catcher for a suction side vacuum cleaner and not really pertinent to filters.

Saltystevo, an S244T is a good size for your pool but probably not for your pump. Essentially, your pump is a little too big for that filter and unnecessarily large for your pool.

A 1 HP pump is better suited but you didn't say you were in the market for a pump. If you are keeping that pump, look at the S310T filter as a better fit.
Click to expand...
I have a 2 SPEED, 1 HP PUMP.
 
Thanks guys... all makes sense. I like the cartridge but i hate the algae and constant cleaning. Oh and i recently discovered i have to clean my cartridge filter with a solution. In the middle of the pleats is a build up of lotion or all the ph, stabilizer, etc i dump right into the skimmer basket. :/
Maybe next year ill figure out how to easily maintain thus pool
 
You should never 'dump' anything through the skimmer.

If your filters are not cleaning due to lotion or other oils use TSP to soak them in. You can buy TSP in big box stores, Walmart, etc.
 
Sadiebug said:
I started with a sand filter 25 years ago. I switched to DE 20 years ago. Sand worked OK but I always had some sediment settling on bottom of pool. DE worked better but it required a lot of maintenance and it was tricky getting just the right amount of DE. I recently switched to cartridge and I couldn't be happier. No backwashing and the only maintenance is once- a- year cleaning and replace cartridge in 5 years or so. I am happier with cartridge than I was with sand or DE.
Click to expand...

If you had sediment on the bottom of your pool it was probably from a cracked lateral in your sand filter. It is not normal to have sediment in your pool just because you have a certain type of filter unless it is broken or the pool is not getting cleaned. I have a sand filter and have sparkling clear water...even in dusty Arizona and even at night with the pool light on.
 
duraleigh said:
As Marty said, there is no "new" type of sand........that's just bogus. And while cartridge and DE filter more fine particles, a properly operated sand filter leaves your water completely crystal clear.......that is usually good enough!If ease of use is VERY important to you, most people say that sand is the easiest.

The key to getting a crystal clear pool (from ANY of the three types) is to size it properly, operate it properly and keep you chemistry correct.

shrid, the item you posted is an inline leaf catcher for a suction side vacuum cleaner and not really pertinent to filters.

Saltystevo, an S244T is a good size for your pool but probably not for your pump. Essentially, your pump is a little too big for that filter and unnecessarily large for your pool.

A 1 HP pump is better suited but you didn't say you were in the market for a pump. If you are keeping that pump, look at the S310T filter as a better fit.
Click to expand...
Duraleigh you are correct. I was talking about a in line suction cleaner basket for larger debris.
 
I've use a sand filter for over 20 years (just happens to be a Hayward S244T) and never had any problems with water quality - that's more a function of pool chemistry. I do like the simplicity of the sand filter compared to people I know with cartridge and DE filters. I'd stick with sand, but that's just my humble opinion.
 
I've had both sand and cartridge and I can't see any visible difference in the quality of the water. I plan to go back to sand for the ease of maintenance with the next few years.
 

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