Sand filter PSI high

[krissyrain]

Hello! First time poster here.
I have a Swimpro sand filter for my above ground pool. Our pump broke so we replaced it with a Hayward superpump 1.5HP and we replaced the sand as well. Prior to the changes the filter PSI was always at 15psi, now it is running at 28psi.
I'm at a loss as to what is causing this.

 

[Texas Splash]

Good morning and welcome to TFP! The first place for us to start is with a full set of water test results. That tells us a lot. Hopefully you have a TF-100/Pro-Series test kit (link in my signature) or Taylor K-2006C. Those are the most reliable. So let's start there.

Also be sure to update your signature. There is nothing loaded to tell us about your pool and equipment. See my signature as an example. If you're on a portable device, you may need to flip it sideways to see signatures at the bottom of each post.

 

[krissyrain]

Thank you! Signature hopefully is showing. We bought the house with pool 3 years ago so this is our 2nd season opening it. We have just basic test stripes and all chemicals are in range. The backwash & rinse run at 11psi and filter & recurculate are running at 29psi. We also put a new return jet that has the light on it, this has a small propeller on it to power the light. I am starting to think that might be the issue

 

[Texas Splash]

We have just basic test stripes and all chemicals are in range.

That could be the problem. Test strips are not only notoriously inaccurate, but their "acceptable ranges" are nowhere close to accurate for what you need. To confirm water chemistry isn't the reason for your suspicious elevated filter pressure, we would recommend performing an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, but sadly, without one of those test kits you can't perform the test.