I have a 24" filter with 350lbs of sand in it. I can't move it at all. Not even without water. When I winterize, can I just take off the valve, open the drain valve and cover the opening? I really don't want to move that. I might end up on CNN. 

nedchavez said:Glock,
I have the same sized sand filer and live in Michigan. I don't even remove the muliport valve when I winterize. All I do is remove the drain cap, no blanket. Never had a freezing problem. Save the vodka, if I'm ever down that way, I'll help you drink it!
Glock said:I really don't want to remove the top valve but I read so many post here of people checking their spider gaskets so I assumed it had to be done. If leaving it is cool then I will do that.