Sand Returning Back To Pool After Replacing With New Sand
by Julie
We have replaced the multi port valve but still have sand pouring back into pool. Please help. This little problem has so far cost me in excess of $400. Is there suppose to be a O-ring at the bottom of the multi port valve? We have a Onga 3 way muiltport valve on a FMF20 sand filter. Thanks for the question Julie When you put new sand in a sand filter you will always get some sand going back into the pool. I replaced the sand in the sand filters at the YMCA and had to vacuum 4 times per week for two weeks before it stopped. It's a pain but that's what happens when you have a sand filter. The question said the laterals are fine so no need to go there. Many times a broken lateral will cause sand to enter back into the pool. Check the Multiport Valve and all the gaskets and O-rings. Your Onga valve is manufactured in Australia so getting those parts or questions answered shouldn't be a problem. You may have accidentally dumped the sand into the filter without covering the stand pipe coming up from the bottom middle of the filter. The sand might stop going back into the pool as it is consumed. The stand pipe might be full of sand and will take a while to clear up. Or you could keep vacuuming until it clears up, but that may take some time. You could start over again by opening the filter, remove all the sand, and remove the stand pipe and clean it out. Once you've cleaned and/or replaced the stand pipe, you need to plug it up. You can call the manufacturer for that part and refill the filter with #20 silica sand, or the sand media your filter recommends. If you talk to the manufacturer, ask what the "freeboard" for the sand should be. This is a measurement from the top of the sand to the top of the filter. This way you'll have two pieces of information; the amount of sand you need and also the measurement. It should be around 10 inches. After you have added all the required amount of sand, clean the seat and o-ring area before mounting the valve. Fill the filter with water and start the filter in the backwash position and run briefly to clear it. Stop the pump and rotate the valve to "RINSE" to clear the lines. Stop the pump and return the valve to "FILTER". Hope this helps and good luck with the filter Robert |
