Intex 2800GPH 14Inch Sand Filter Pump & Sand in Pool

[Apologiax]

This is my second 2800 with the same issue of sand in the pool and I've used 2 different brands of 20 silica. The company just sent me a replacement because the first one was doing the same things.
Setup the same with each pump: Level ground, sand middle between min/max, backwash, rinse - but every day that I run the pump long, the next day I deal with sand and some sandish colored rocks in the pool - to big to get through a cracked pipe or laterals I'd think ...in the pool.

Any ideas?

20ft round/48in deep Bestway above ground pool.

 

[kimkats]

What brands have you tried?

 

[Apologiax]

What brands have you tried?

Fairmount Santrol Aquaquarts and Palmetto bought on amazon - links provided. Thanks

 

[Apologiax]

I just backwashed for 3m and rinsed for 2 - the pump has a clear plastic bulb that shows the water clarity and there is no sand in that nor did I see visible dirty/sandy water coming out. I did notice initially when I changed the dial to backwash (pump off) that it felt/sounded gritty. Like sand might be in it?

 

[kimkats]

Well I have not seen those brands but that does not mean anything! I am glad it was not the quikcrete sand mess!

Okay now do something for me. Go out and grab a big cupful of said sand and let it dry out good. Then spread it out on something so we can see just what is in that sand.

some sandish colored rocks in the pool

There should be NO rocks in the sand.

 

[Apologiax]

Well I have not seen those brands but that does not mean anything! I am glad it was not the quikcrete sand mess!

Okay now do something for me. Go out and grab a big cupful of said sand and let it dry out good. Then spread it out on something so we can see just what is in that sand.


There should be NO rocks in the sand.

If there is, can that damage the laterals/pipe? I'll grab some sand and test it like you said and take some pictures.

 

[kimkats]

They can block the slits/opening and maybe clog things up causing problems.

 

[Apologiax]

They can block the slits/opening and maybe clog things up causing problems.

Took sand out of tank and it's drying out - should the backwashed sand be visible? My sand was below the min line when I removed the sand so I put more in and watered it some - then ran backwash and just like the first time I have a visible pile of sand out the backwash hose. Ran for 3minutes then rinsed and the plastic water lens on the tank is showing clear. No sand in it that, that I can see.

 

[kimkats]

I have a visible pile of sand out the backwash hose.

Something IS going on for sure! You should NOT see any sand out the backwash hose.

Did you put something over the open pipe in the middle when you added the sand?

We will get to the bottom of this with some back and forth to find out what is going on.

 

[Apologiax]

Well I have not seen those brands but that does not mean anything! I am glad it was not the quikcrete sand mess!

Okay now do something for me. Go out and grab a big cupful of said sand and let it dry out good. Then spread it out on something so we can see just what is in that sand.


There should be NO rocks in the sand.

The rocks I'm seeing seem way to big to even get through the lateral holes.. (like pea sized, maybe a litter larger..) If I get more I'll take a picture.

 

[Apologiax]

Something IS going on for sure! You should NOT see any sand out the backwash hose.

Did you put something over the open pipe in the middle when you added the sand?

We will get to the bottom of this with some back and forth to find out what is going on.

Yes, I put the cover that game with it over the standpipe. Filled it, took off cover, put down valve selector over it. The first pump didn't leave any sand pile out the backwash. I'm tempted to put the first pump's valve selector over the new pumps sand barrel and see what happens as far as sand being pushed out the backwash. I still have the first pump - they let me keep it.

 

[kimkats]

okay now also get some of the sand that comes OUT of the backwash hose. Dry it out also.

I am thinking you got "bad" sand that is not really pool filter sand not matter what it says. I am going hunting for the thread about the quikcrete sand to show you want happened there.

 

[Apologiax]

Something IS going

okay now also get some of the sand that comes OUT of the backwash hose. Dry it out also.

I am thinking you got "bad" sand that is not really pool filter sand not matter what it says. I am going hunting for the thread about the quikcrete sand to show you want happened there.

I actually read "myperfectpool.com" if there is TO much sand it will come out until level, but mine was mid range on the scale. No sand is coming out now though. It just happened initially. I'll set some of that sand aside too.

 

[kimkats]

I found the link!

My findings on how not all sand is created equal

Ok well today I finally got all my parts from Intex to fix my problem I was having with my sand filter. Here is a link to that thread which I will update as well http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/101906-New-Pool-Intex-Customer-Service-Long-Post-lol So basically for the sake of this thread...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Apologiax]

I found the link!

My findings on how not all sand is created equal

Ok well today I finally got all my parts from Intex to fix my problem I was having with my sand filter. Here is a link to that thread which I will update as well http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/101906-New-Pool-Intex-Customer-Service-Long-Post-lol So basically for the sake of this thread...

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks - I'm going to read that now. The reviews on the sand I used are high (out of close to 300 reviews) but some did say sand in their pool - but who knows, could be pump issues for them. What sand is most recommended? I used the 20# silica intex recommends for the first pump I got from them - same issue (EXCEPT) no sand came out the backwash.

 

[Apologiax]

I found the link!

My findings on how not all sand is created equal

Ok well today I finally got all my parts from Intex to fix my problem I was having with my sand filter. Here is a link to that thread which I will update as well http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/101906-New-Pool-Intex-Customer-Service-Long-Post-lol So basically for the sake of this thread...

www.troublefreepool.com

Here are some pictures of fresh sand from the two different brands I bought. Do you think the sand is to small? I’m going to get some hth soon..

 

[kimkats]

Much too small. Think about how you had to add some just now. It is going straight through to the pool or backwash hose.

 

[kimkats]

I gor mine from Leslie as they had it in stock. Don't remember the brand though.

 

[Apologiax]

Ugh - that's 20 silica just like the intex pump calls for. I guess I need to find the perfect sand somehow.. - I also read through the manual and it says NOTHING about adding water first to cushion the laterals from the weight of the sand. Now, the first pump I just pored it straight in, used water (like the manual says) AFTER I had half of what I needed ... (still had sand in pool) Second pump I used a small hand shovel to add the sand until laterals were covered. BUT I see the experts here are saying use WATER first as a cushion. May have damaged my laterals..

 

[kimkats]

TFP has done SOME many studies of each and every part of pool care it is not even funny. One I was a part of was the "How to best add CYA to a pool AND when you can test for it?" My part was to walk around with the CYA in a sock and squeeze it until it was all gone. I then tested right afterwards, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours (time for bed) first thing in the morning to see WHEN I saw the level of CYA I put in my pool. Come to find out it was all there on the first thing in the morning test.

So yeah TFP says to put water in THEN hand put in the sand until the laterals are covered. Just to be on the extra safe side.