Lots of sand in pool

[epxroot]

Hello everyone!

Ran into an issue. I was vacuuming my pool to wast when the water started to get low at the skimmer. I had a little more to do so I decided to set it to filter. I vacuumed some and my pressure jumped quickly. I went to backwash and I heard a loud noise in the filter valve are like something cleared a line. Backwash was normal, rinse normal and started filtering again. I noticed a brown dark cloud coming from my return lines. After inspecting there is a lot of sand in my pool. There doesn't seem to be any more coming from the return lines anymore.

I then went to add chlorine once I made sure sand was no longer blowing into the pool. When I went out to get chlorine I noticed a huge pile of sand in my driveway.

As of now there doesn't seem to be any sand blowing into the pool and the pressure is normal. Do you think something is broke?

 

[kellyfair]

You lost me with the sand in the driveway...

 

[epxroot]

Opened it up and most of my sand is gone and one lateral completely missing.

 

[epxroot]

OK, so it appears the lateral just fell out. I examined the other ones and they just pull out.

I have an old Cristal-Flo sand filter T-200BP-1

Anyone know anything about these as far as replacing laterals?

 

[Texas Splash]

Opened it up and most of my sand is gone and one lateral completely missing.

OH! That would explain that "loud noise" you heard. Ugh.

 

[epxroot]

Yea it was a big gob of sand lol

Is it possible to just vacuum the sand back up and into the filter now that I have the laterals back on?

 

[Texas Splash]

Is it possible to just vacuum the sand back up and into the filter now that I have the laterals back on?

Sure! Actually wait. If it's small amounts dispersed you could filter. But if it's a lot, it may be best to go to waste.

 

[epxroot]

So if I am able to get the lateral back into place meaning removing the water and sand, setting the laterals back down in the filter. Then I can simply just set it to filter and vacuum the sand back up?

 

[Texas Splash]

Probably should vacuum to waste as to not plug-up the laterals.

 

[epxroot]

Since I already have all the sand out of the filter, water back in the filter covering the laterals, should I just put new sand in there?

 

[Texas Splash]

If you still have the old sand, and it was never compromised with any pool store junk like floc or anything, it should be good to go back in. If you have any doubt about the history of the sand, or know some pool store snake oils were added before, then I would start fresh. Then you know for sure.

- - - Updated - - -

Pour slowly of course to protect those laterals.

 

[epxroot]

OK. Think I'll throw new sand in since I don't know the history of the first 15 or so years before I purchased it 6 years ago.

Do you typically just fill it 2/3rds the way full?

 

[Texas Splash]

Do you typically just fill it 2/3rds the way full?

If you can't find any specifics on the filter, yes, the 2/3 rule should work.

 

[epxroot]

So I assume for the t-200bp-1it would take 200lbs

 

[Texas Splash]

So I assume for the t-200bp-1it would take 200lbs

That would be my guess as well.

 

[epxroot]

Will it make a big difference in clearing a cloudy pool with new sand vs old sand? I have a party on the 30th and i want to make sure its clear

 

[zea3]

Unless the old sand was channeled it shouldn't make a big difference. Maybe it was channeled or calcified to cause a lateral to blow off! Did you replace the laterals or just put the old one back in?

 

[epxroot]

I checked the old one to make sure it wasn't damaged and put it back in.

 

[JimMarshall]

I think for ?$50 and without knowing the history of the pool you’re making a good decision to put new sand in.

 

[epxroot]

New sand is in and pool is back up and running!

Thanks for all your help everyone!