How I changed sand to glass media in my Pac Fab SuperFlow PF50 filter

[Mike_I]

Last year I changed my filter sand to gIass media and I'm finally posting these notes and photos in case someone finds it useful.

1. Figure out how much glass media you need and purchase it. You will need 20% less glass by volume than sand. I had to call 5 different stores here in west Washington until I found one that can sell me glass media (even that store had to special order it)
2. Stop the pump and open the pressure valve on the filter so that water goes down a bit
3. Open the filter up. My filter (Pac Fab SuperFlow PF50) has one long bolt that needs to be unbolted
   
   
   
   
4. It looks nasty in there. Figure out how to remove the existing sand. I tried using a small yogurt container but dropped the idea quickly. Shop vac works the best. (Make sure to remove filter from your shop vac first)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Making progress
   
   
   
   Be gentle while vacuuming so you don't damage the inside parts of the filter
   
   
   
   I used the brush to help with the remaining sand
   
   
   
   Will continue in the next post due to attachment limitations

 

[Mike_I]

5) Once everything is clean, inspect for any visible damage and if it everything checks out, pour water in until the umbrella looking piping is submerged in water completely. Water is to avoid damage once you add sand



6)Ready your glass media and start pouring in slowly. I didn't know it at the time but there was a lot of dust from the media, probably from paper labels on recycled bottles, have a mask handy so you don't breathe that in.







I forgot about covering the diffuser with a zip-lock bag to prevent glass from falling in, but not much went in. Also, figure out how much glass you need to put in. My filter takes 200lbs of sand so I multiplied that number by 0.8 (since it takes 20% less glass than sand) and got 160 lbs of glass.



This guy was not helpful at all



I applied Hayward Jack's lube to the gasket before closing the filter



Close the filter, Close pressure release, start the pump and check for leaks



After a couple of days I realized that there is a drain at the bottom of the pool that I wasn't able to see before so I guess the filter is working. I also adjusted the chemicals too based on the TFP math so not sure if clear water was due to the filter or chems, probably combination. I still needed to vacuum the pool but I've never seen the water that clean that the drain is visible from anywhere

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
Great documentation of your work. TFP recommends the use of sand in sand filters. Proper water chemistry keeps your pool water clean and clear, the filter simply captures stuff that falls into the pool.
I suggest you read through Pool Care Basics - Trouble Free Pool and even look at a few of our videos TFP-TV - Trouble Free Pool

 

[Newdude]

SLAM Process
And you'll be adding pics here
How Clear is TFP Clear?

Welcome Mike !!