Intex Filter- Sand Blowing Into Pool

[asheridan10]

I just upgraded to an Intex sand filter (3000 gph) and I'm having a problem with tons of sand blowing back into the pool.

I have the correct sand (#20 Grade Silica) and I followed the instructions to the letter. But when I turned the pump on, I noticed a great deal of sand was blowing into the pool.

Looking online, people recommend a backwash and then rinse to fix this problem. I have done the backwash/rinse cycle twice, and it hasn't helped.

However, I'm seeing people say I need to backwash for 3 minutes and then rinse for 1-2. If I do that, I will lose a massive amount of water in the pool. Just from my current efforts, I've already lost a good 1+ inches of water (pool is 18 x 48, 6700 gallons).

Can anyone advise? Can I slow the rate down from my filter to preserve water (I'm assuming I cannot)? Will an extra 90 seconds of backwashing really make a difference?

 

[js12278]

Where did you buy the sand?
Did you use the cover over the stand pipe in the center of the filter to prevent sand from getting inside the pipe?
What I've done when replacing sand is
Filled the filter to the level indicated on the stand pipe. Before installing the valve on top, I used a garden hose and rinsed the sand until the water runs clear. Not cloudy, not sort of clear, crystal clear. This will get the dust and small debris out of the sand. Push and pull the hose into the sand to create some turbulence and get the sand moving.
Install the valve. Bleed the air out of the lines and pump, set the valve to backwash for a minute. Turn off the pump, move valve to rinse until sight glass is clear.
Grab an old black sock. Hold it over the return for a few minutes. Shut the pump off. Inspect inside of sock. If you've caught any sand, it's likely you've got poorly graded sand.
Happened to me this season. What I did was replaced half the sand with play sand. Rinsed it inside the filter with a garden hose until the water overflowed clear. Then did a thorough backwash and rinse. Pool has been no issues and crystal clear since.
Make sure the laterals and stand pipe are not cracked allowing the sand to pass through.

Good luck.

 

[asheridan10]

Think I found the culprit. The center pipe hub is damaged. I definitely did not do this during install. This filter has a guide that locks this hub and the central pipe in place and prevents sand from going inside the pipe. I never moved this part at all, and there's no way sand impact did this, as it's on the underside.

Called Amazon and have to ship the filter back. They will send a replacement. Alas, they will replace the entire unit, not just this piece. But they will replace. I will update when the new one arrives and whether this fixes the issue or not.

- - - Updated - - -

Hi js,
The sand came from a local pool store. I updated below with a picture. There is damage to the underside of the central pipe hub. I'm pretty sure this is what's causing the issue. The opening in the hub is quite large enough to allow sand to pass freely through.

Once I get the new filter, I will attempt your method. Sounds like it will help. Thank you!

 

[js12278]

Amazon is way quicker than Intex. Update when you get the new one. Good luck.