Q&A for How to Change the Sand in a Pool Filter

If you want to move over to a diatomaceous earth (DE) system, you will need to get a new filter system designed for it. DE can filter much smaller particles than sand but will need to be cleaned more often.

Back out the exhaust? If you mean that it discharges to sewer, then the problem is probably the spider gasket in the multi-port valve. One of spokes has failed. If you mean the vacuum just blows right back into the pool through the return inlets, then make sure you have the multi-port valve on "filter" not "recirculate" or "bypass". After backwashing, you should "rinse" for a minute or so. Never turn multi-port valve handle with the pump running. If none of this helps, then you probably have to reopen the filter. Either the water has blasted channels through the sand so that water travels through the filter without actually going through sand or the lateral or standpipe knocked loose when you added new sand.

Absolutely! Be careful not to damage the pipe or the laterals attached to its base as you clean it, but giving it a good clean will only help your filter work more efficiently.

The Pentair Triton II TR140 pool filter needs 650 pounds of sand. This should be listed in the manual or on the side of the tank. Check online if you can't find the specific amount listed anywhere else.

The cost of changing the sand will vary based on how much sand is needed for your pool filter, and the price of sand in your area. Changing the pool filter is one of the many costs of owning a pool, so take it into account when taking responsibility for a pool.

The standpipe should be resting on the bottom of the tank when you start adding sand. If you add water to cushion the sand being poured in, make sure the standpipe doesn't float too high. As long as it can comfortably fit into the base of the multiport valve, you should be OK.

The filter will still function with less sand, but won't work as well. Less sand will allow more debris to get through, meaning you'll need to clean the pool and replace the sand more often. Use the amount of sand recommended for your filter for the best results.

The filter will fill up once connected to the pump. Here in the northeast, we have to winterize the filter and drain all of the water out. In the spring, close the drain plug and turn the filter on and it fills it up and eventually all of the trapped air is removed via the tube.

You should replace the sand every two years. The longer you wait, the more likely the sand will turn to stone.

You might want to consider a diatomaceous earth (DE) filter. I found sand very slow to clean the pool water, but DE is much better! It was worth the cost to upgrade.

If the filter doesn't say how much sand to add, check the manual for your filter. If it's not listed there either, you will need to do your own research or get in contact with the manufacturer to find out how much sand is needed.

It is possible that dust from the new sand is getting into the pool. This can be due to not backwashing and filtering the water thoroughly enough when installing new sand, or potentially due to damage to your filter. Use a bottle of pool cleaner to floc your pool, which will make the dust or other impurities settle to the bottom where they can be vacuumed out.

The fingers (or laterals) in a sand filter will generally point outwards from the standpipe in a circle. The thread on the fingers will attach to the base of the standpipe. The manual of your sand filter should have more information on the installation of fingers in it.

It's recommended that you change the sand in your filter every 3-5 years. Clean your filter when the water in your pool is getting cloudy. The opening or closing of the pool likely won't have much of a bearing on this.

If the valve cannot be detached from the tank by unscrewing a collar, there might be another way to remove it or another way to access the tank. Check the manual for your specific filter for further guidance.

If sand is leaking into the pool after you have changed it, it is likely one of the laterals at the base of the tank was damaged. You'll need to remove the sand, find the lateral that is broken, replace it. and then refill the tank with sand. Try adding a little bit of water to cushion the sand as you pour it in to prevent this from happening again.

There are factors other than the size of the tank required to determine how much sand is needed. Check the outside of your tank and your manual, or get in contact with the manufacturer, to find out how much sand is needed for your specific tank.

If you need to change the standpipe in your pool filter, you will first need to remove all of the sand. Lift the standpipe up and unscrew each of the laterals attached to the base so that you can lift the pipe up and out of the tank. Replace it with a standpipe of the same diameter and length, and screw the laterals back into place. Make sure it is positioned in the middle of your tank as you add sand back to it.

The most likely problem is that one or more of the laterals ("fingers" inside the bottom of the filter housing) are cracked or broken. This allows sand to escape from the filter and get into the pool. The fix is to remove all the sand from the filter, then inspect and replace the cracked or broken lateral(s). Filling the filter housing with water as recommended before placing the sand should help prevent future problems - cushions the laterals from falling sand.

This will depend on the individual filter. Check the side of the tank and your filter manual, or contact the manufacturer to find out how much you need.

Depends on several factors - pool volume, pump and filter capacity. However, it should clear up pretty quickly with new sand if you stay on top of your filter back pressure and backwash the filter as soon as it reaches the pressure where you know the filter is loaded (20 psi for my pool, might be different for yours) - that way you will maximize the flow rate through the filter. If you do not see any difference after a day or two the algae particles might be very small - you may need to add a flocculating agent (available from your pool store) to make them clump together so they will get caught by the filter.

Sure! However, there is an "optimum" amount of sand for each filter housing - that quantity should be available from the filter manufacturer. Too much sand will increase the pressure drop through the clean filter bed, which reduces the amount of pressure buildup available for dirt accumulation - means you will probably have to backwash more frequently. If there is a large amount of extra sand you might wind up losing some (or most) of it during backwashing and rinsing anyhow - better to stick with the manufacturer's recommended sand load.

Your drain pipe leaking is more than likely the spider gasket inside the multi-port valve. To remedy this, take the top of your filter to a pool shop that specialises in replacement spider gaskets but be aware there are dozens of different sand filters out there.