Sand Filter
Sand filters capture particles down to 20-40 microns.
A slightly dirty sand filter works better at capturing and filtering stuff. Only backwash when your filter pressure raises 25% over your baseline clean pressure.
Adding a small amount of DE (diatomaceous Earth) can improve the filtering capability of a sand filter. Pool grade DE should be used, food, pet or garden grade will not work.[1]
Sand and Alterative Media
The sand in a pool sand filter is #20 silica sand; 45 - 55 mm.
Be aware that members have had issues with Quiikrete pool sand.[2] A search in the Forum can provide more information about the issues.
TFP recommends using pool sand. There is no need for an alternative media like glass.
How to Deep Clean a Sand Filter?
Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter has instructions with pics of the deep cleaning process.
Repairs
My sand is "channeled" how to fix it?
- Open up the filter so the sand bed is exposed.[3]
- Stick a garden hose into the sand and turn on the water. The sand should loosen up and all the dirt and gunk should float and overflow out of the filter.
- You might need to stir up the sand a bit. Keep this up until the water overflowing out of the filter is clean.
- If any sand is clumped together CAREFULLY break it up with something like a broom handle but BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO DAMAGE THE LATERALS. You will be surprised at how much stuff this gets out of your filter that backwashing doesn't and I feel this 'deep cleaning' should be done yearly.
- This should take care of the channeling but if the sand has a lot of calcium deposits you might want to follow this up with an acidic sand filter cleaner from the pool store.
- GENTLY tap on the sand tank with a rubber mallot and watch the pressure gauge climb about 2 psi.
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