Sand filter question

I noticed today that when I turned the filter back on after being off for about 5 hrs that a big cloud of dirty/tannish stuff shot out of the return jet. I also have been noticing sand on the floor of the pool every morning.

I know this shouldn't be happening....can anyone tell me what to do or what to check first. Do I need to unload the sand and check the laterals? They were all just replaced 2 summers ago. It's an old filter...Pac Fab Triton T-60.
I am pretty sure our pump is too big for the filter too (pump was replaced last year). Could that be the problem?

Thanks!
Andrea

Andrea,
Is this a one time event that the stuff shot out the returns or is it a recurring event? When you say the pump may be too big, how about some numbers like the pump info. Personally I don't know what size the T-60 is. Info on that would be helpful too, simply to not require looking it up. The sand on the floor does indicate an oversized pump as a possibility. Is there anything you did or changed that may be related to the incident?
Best for now.
Al

The pump is a 1 1/2 hsp Sta-Rite Dyna Glass.

The filter is old...the tag on the outside says

Max pressure-50 psi
Flow Rate-60 GPM
Filter Area-3.1 Sq Ft
Veritcal clearance-40
Horizontal-45

I have noticed it before when turning the back on so it has been doing it for a bit but I'm not sure for how long. I haven't been turning the pump on/off alot lately because I've been trying to clear the water so it's been running alot.

Between trying to clear up the water and keep it clear, finding a leak, and now having sand blowing out of the return I think I'm going to go crazy.

Thanks for you help!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Poconos

Andrea,
Is this a one time event that the stuff shot out the returns or is it a recurring event? When you say the pump may be too big, how about some numbers like the pump info. Personally I don't know what size the T-60 is. Info on that would be helpful too, simply to not require looking it up. The sand on the floor does indicate an oversized pump as a possibility. Is there anything you did or changed that may be related to the incident?
Best for now.
Al

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I've heard that you don't need to backwash your sand filter until you raise the pressure 5 PSI, is that correct? I just installed a new gauge, and I've been a week without backwashing, and it's only risen 1psi. Let me know what you think! Also, anyone know of a website with decent prices on replacement pump motors?

Nothing sacred about the pressure rise for backwashing. I gather from reading here that some manufacturers state something for their filters. In fact, the more it plugs the better it filters, to a point. Not unusual with a clean pool to go a real long time without backwashing. Sorry...can't assist on a website for pumps.
Al