Lifting Full Sand Filter

[KBoy420]

Long story short, I need to lift my filter in order to pull the base, put some more stone down, and replace the base. I know most will say try to dry the sand and suck it out with a shop vac. I'm trying to save time and have a large front end loader. My thought was to cinch a rope around the neck of the filter at the top - there is enough lip there to catch the rope. Use the loader to lift the filter about 12 inches. The weight of the sand in the filter should pull that rope nice and tight securing it around the neck.

Talk me out of it! In theory I can't see what would go wrong

 

[JamesW]

Bad idea. It will probably damage the filter.

If you could lift it from the bottom, that might work if you can spread the load over enough surface area.

I would remove most of the sand to be safe.

 

[Homebrewale]

I have a feeling this is one of those "Hey, guys, watch this!" moments.

 

[kellyfair]

In theory I can't see what would go wrong

Famous last words...

 

[JamesW]

Those necks are known to crack even when not being stressed by the full weight of the filter.

 

[KBoy420]

I have a feeling this is one of those "Hey, guys, watch this!" moments.

You know you'd watch the video of it.

 

[Homebrewale]

You know you'd watch the video of it.

Will you record it if you try?

 

[JamesW]

It can go on our TikTok fail blog.

If the fail is epic enough, it might earn an entry into the Bad Day Hall of Fame.

 

[KBoy420]

Those necks are known to crack even when not being stressed by the full weight of the filter.

Yea agreed, but now I'm trying to see how I can wedge a 2x4 inside the filter in such a way that it wedges in when lifted. I think I'm on to something here. Will report back. I'll probably just get the hand dolly out.

 

[JamesW]

You're going to damage the filter if you create stress focus points.

Probably just need to remove the sand.

 

[Casey]

I have a feeling this is one of those "Hey, guys, watch this!" moments.

Hold my beer...

This is not a good idea at all. But... it's your filter.

 

[zea3]

Check the availability of replacement filters before you try it, just in case.

 

[Pool_Medic]

I’ve done it plenty of times, build a box around the bottom with 2x4, make the ends long to hang on to, grab a weak minded strong backed neighbor and lift it up and out of place. No damage will result.

 

[splashpad]

My thought was to cinch a rope around the neck of the filter at the top - there is enough lip there to catch the rope. Use the loader to lift the filter about 12 inches. The weight of the sand in the filter should pull that rope nice and tight securing it around the neck.

As already said, but worth saying again ~ The problem is:: the neck was not designed to hold the weight of the filter sand, the base is...