Silica II filter dumping sand into pool.

[CVilla]

I’m trying to figure out what may be causing sand deposits on a two day old Doughboy Silica II filter. The installer came back out, ripped everything apart, and couldn’t find an issue. The installer claims that these deposits are from fine sand particles escaping the filter due to new sand. And just to vacuum and not to be concerned.

I call ********, but has anyone experienced a similar issue with these sand filters.

 

[JamesW]

Pictures of the system?

 

[CVilla]

Pictures of the system?

Pictures of the system?

 

[JamesW]

Maybe the wrong sand or the internals are damaged.

What sand did they use?

 

[CVilla]

Maybe the wrong sand or the internals are damaged.

What sand did they use?

I wish I could recall the sand brand they used, but it was definitely #20 grade pool sand. So check the attached images. He’s what was left in the filter when they pulled it apart. And in the second image, plate on the left was what came out of the filter, plate on the right is from the pool and is definitely much finer.

 

[1poolman1]

I wish I could recall the sand brand they used, but it was definitely #20 grade pool sand. So check the attached images. He’s what was left in the filter when they pulled it apart. And in the second image, plate on the left was what came out of the filter, plate on the right is from the pool and is definitely much finer.View attachment 482443View attachment 482444

Was the filter backwashed and rinsed before it was placed into filter mode the first time? A sand filter always needs to have this done with new sand as there is always a small amount of particles smaller than #20 that get in the bags and they will end up in your pool. The first backwash usually takes longer because the fine particles are still heavier than the normal pool "dirt" that the filter catches. Nature of the beast.

 

[CVilla]

Was the filter backwashed and rinsed before it was placed into filter mode the first time? A sand filter always needs to have this done with new sand as there is always a small amount of particles smaller than #20 that get in the bags and they will end up in your pool. The first backwash usually takes longer because the fine particles are still heavier than the normal pool "dirt" that the filter catches. Nature of the beast.

I watched the installer backwash for about 5-10 minutes after replacing the sand. The attached photo of the sand in the grass is from that. Actually just got done vacuuming to waste and captured a good amount in a 5 gallon bucket.

Part of my confusion is this is the second Silica II filter we’ve owned. Unfortunately the first one started leaking after a few months and this was the replacement. Never had any sand issues with the first one.

 

[JamesW]

Why is the top a different color than the bottom?

Maybe it's a used filter?

Contact the manufacturer to see what they say.

Ask the installer exactly what sand they used.

Tell the installer to take the sand out and examine the laterals to see if they are damaged.

Is the plumbing correct for the In/Out?

 

[CVilla]

Why is the top a different color than the bottom?

Maybe it's a used filter?

Contact the manufacturer to see what they say.

Ask the installer exactly what sand they used.

Tell the installer to take the sand out and examine the laterals to see if they are damaged.

Is the plumbing correct for the In/Out?

Problem solved,

Reached out to Doughboy, phone calls were made. Installer switched over to a Doughboy Sequal II Rotary DE Filter.

Guess I’ll never know what the culprit was, but the Doughboy rep believed it was a sand issue.

The Dealer had no explanation as to what was going on in the end.

Thank you for your assistance!