Water is pushed through the sand in the housing and is removed by a set of lateral tubes on the bottom. The dirty water goes into the top of the filter, is pressed through the sand and exists out the bottom as clean water.
Residential & Commercial Sand Filters
Ever had an "expresso" from a coffee place? This kind of filter works on the same concept.
Hayward Pro-Series Sand Filter
Your Pool Filter System
As your pool filter becomes clogged with waste and debris, the pressure increases and the water flow lessons. This requires the pool owner or operator to backwash every few weeks, depending on the water flow.
Please remember that excessive backwashing may cause a loss of sand which in turn will reduce the effectiveness of the sand filtration process. Please be aware of proper pool sand filter maintenance.
The proper amount of sand should be measured from the top of the filter. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Should you find your sand filter low, simply get the proper grade of sand and top off the filter following the manufacturer’s instructions.
In terms of cost and efficiency for pool filters, a sand filter is probably the least expensive but least effective in removing those very small particles.
Swimming Pool Sand
Zeobest Pool Sand
Pros:
Least expensive of the three filters
Sand is easily added
Little maintenance and backwash every 2-3 weeks or when warranted
Decent filtration
Cons:
Must backwash on a regular basis and uses anywhere from 50-150 gallons or more of water per backwash for above ground pools and 250-500 gallons for inground pools, as opposed to a
cartridge filter
Every 3-5 years, depending on usage, the sand in the sand filter needs to be replaced which could be a hassle
For above ground or inground pools, a swimming pool sand filter is probably the least effective out of the three filtration systems, especially a
DE pool filter.
Swimming Pool Sand Filter Maintenance
Now you're ready for the fun stuff. Understanding the basics of pool water maintenance is simple, so please don't complicate matters.
Functions of the Filtration System
Many pool systems will have what is known as a “Multi-Port Valve”. This valve is an all-in-one valve that makes your pool life a little easier.
If you're not familiar with a Muli-Port Valve please read the following and/or consult your owner's manual. If you're pump motor is on and you decide to start turning any valves, well, that would be bad. So be sure the pump motor is off before turning anything.
Check The Settings
The settings on this type of valve are as follows:
Filter
This is the normal setting for the valve. The pool water is drawn through the pump, passed through the swimming pool sand filter, and is then returned back into the pool as clean water.
Backwash
This setting is used to flush out the filter when it becomes overloaded with dirt and debris. Water is drawn from the pool, is passed through the filter sand, and exits out of the filter as dirty water.
Once this is accomplished, your system is ready to rinse.
Rinse
This setting is used to flush out any dirt or debris that may remain in the lines after back-washing and only requires about 10 seconds. This water then exits as waste and not back into the pool.
Recirculate
This function allows for the pool water to circulate without passing through the filter.
Waste
This setting runs water from the pool directly to the drain and can be used when lowering the water level when certain adjustments are needed.
Closed
This setting is to be used ONLY when the pump motor is off. Closing this valve while the pump is running could seriously damage your system. Use this setting when making any repairs or cleaning of the filter unit or filter basket.
Remember that the filter pump needs to be OFF before moving the handle of the Multi-Port valve. Now you may be thinking that doesn't matter, but it does, so turn the pump off before moving this or any valve.
Maintaining and back-washing your sand filter with the proper pool filter cleaner will help keep your swimming pool sand filter running like a million bucks.
Following these pool cleaning tips will ensure your neighbors will be looking over the fence wondering how you do it.
Pool Filter Cleaning & Backwash:
A swimming pool sand filter needs back-washing after the pressure has increased about 8-10lbs. higher than the "just back-washed" pressure.
Raise the water level 1"-2" if it's low. Turn off the pump and clean the pump basket. Remove any debris and carefully place the basket back into the pump housing and reattach the pump lid.
Roll out your backwash hose, if applicable, and turn the filter control valve to BACKWASH
Turn the pump back on and pump out dirty water until the water runs CLEAR, then turn off the pump.
Set the control valve to RINSE and turn the pump on for 5-8 seconds. Turn off the pump.
This will get rid of residual sand left in the lines. Any sand or debris in the lines will be returned to the pool. If you like to
vacuum,
I have a great page just for you.
Turn off pump, turn valve to FILTER and you're done.
The entire process should take about 5 minutes and your swimming pool sand filter will once again be ready for action.
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Sand Filter - High Pressure
Not rated yet
Recently,when the pump is set to either backwash or filter, the pressure builds up and the clear plastic top of the sand filter blows off! I assume that ...
Little To No psi
Not rated yet
I have a sand filter. In years past we put 3 lbs. of sand in the filter. This year I did the same with new sand from my local pool store.
Started out ...
Why Does Air Pressure Build Up Inside My Sand Filter?
Not rated yet
My sand filter is old, it used to work fine. It has the plunger on the side of the filter houseing, with 3 lines straight below the handle inline, intake,...
While starting up the pool I have had problems with the Backwash and Rinse.
While running pump in Backwash ...
Water Not Free-Flowing When Pool Pump Switched On
Not rated yet
This season my pool pump has acted strangely. To begin with, priming the pump at the start of the season was OK but needed quite a lot of water to activate ...
