How to change the sand in a swimming pool filter?

Question

How to change the sand in a swimming pool filter?

Answer 1

I'd like to add to the previous answers...Before you re-fill with sand, fill the filter half up with water so that it cushions the fragile laterals from the weight of the sand. When you're done and its all back together you need to do a long backwash to clean the new sand.

Answer 2

1/ shut down the filter/pump.

2/ remove the drain cap on the filter bottom

3/ remove the multiport from the filter top and any associated plumbing. It justs lifts straight up after you've removed the collar.

4/  The easiest way to remove the sand is with a wet / dry shop vac. Be careful not to move the central stand pipe, you could break it. Once the sand is out, remove the lateral assembly. It looks like a wagon wheel. The lateral fingers will either fold up ( Hayward filter) or unscrew ( Jacuzzi or Sta Rite). Inspect those parts for damage or wear and replace as needed.

5/ Re install the laterals. Centre them in the tank and put a paper coffee cup over the standpipe hole. This stops sand that you pour in from going down that pipe. You don't want it in the laterals. Carefully pour in the required amount of new silica sand. I suggest using silica since not only is it readily available and cheaper , it's also proven. Other alternatives aren't.  Other media types that may possibly be used in a sand filter will suffer the same wear and possibility of calcification that silica does, in the same time frame. Silica works, fact. Other media may not. Your risk here.

The side label of the filter will tell you how much media is needed. It comes in 50 pound bags. While pouring, keep the standpipe centred and don't just dump the sand in, pour evenly and slowly. It has to mate with the multiport when filled. Reassemble all the plumbing and the multiport back onto the tank and replace the filter drain plug.

Budget some time for this. It usually takes about an hour and a half for a 24 inch filter tank if you have everything handy.

Answer 3

why ?

just clean it , it should clean it self if you use it all the time,

do you back flow it ?

that pumps the sand out,

Answer 4

THE answer above is me is quite correct on using shop vac! A couple of things I would like to add:

1)make sure shop vac has a sturdy filter..wet sand shreds paper filters!

2)do not refill with regular silica sand...there are better alternatives that work better and last longer!...the link below is a page with links to several different types of sand filter media:  http://www.swimming-pool-information.com...

Answer 5

generally you can get about 5-7 years out of your sand if its properly taken care of. you can clean it at the end of a season once you close the pool so its ready for start up. if you want to change it best way is to shotvac it out (wet/dry) then pull out your lateral system inside and examine it to make sure it is not cracked (NEVER pull out the lateral or dump the tank on its side you can damage it). place it back in the bottom of the tank and center it best as you can. place a dixie cup or duct tape the top of the opening to make sure no sand gets in and pour sand around it. put a little bit of water in the tank if you want. make sure you put the level of the sand at least half no more than 3/4 full. hope that helps!