Sand Filter dumped all the sand in my pool

.....twice. Not kidding.

The first time I was told to replace the laterals which I did and filled back with sand (being careful not to break my new laterals) and fired it up. Great....wait a day or so and I see more sand! Ut oh. Open filter and.....no sand! Turns out it wasn't the laterals but the "hub" and it isn't made anymore.

Wow.....pressure is on now to open by the June 16th!

Anyway...I replace the filter with a DE so it is up and running, but here is the problem. How do I get all that sand out? Vacuuming to the DE filter means it has to be cleaned every 15 minutes or so. Will take days in my estimation. Not ideal.

So....anyone have any suggestions on how to get the sand out in a somewhat easier manner?

Thanks in advance.

-John

Three options:

1. A new sand filter (I'm mentioning this, just because it is an option, not because I think it's what you want.)

2. A Pentair (Rainbow) Leaf Eater with a sand/silt bag

Leaf Eater @ Amazon
Sand/silt replacement bag @ Amazon

3. A Pentair (Rainbow) Leaf Trap with sand/silt bag

Pentair Snap-Open Leaf Trap R211084 @ Amazon
Pentair Model 186 Leaf Trap Sand / Silt Bag R211518 @ Amazon

Info pages:
http://www.pentairpool.com/pool-pro/...-eaters-85.htm
http://www.pentairpool.com/pool-pro/...180-186-92.htm

Ben,

Thanks so much for the reply, I had no idea these even existed. Do you have a preference?

Thanks again.

-John

I like the leaf eater. The leaf trap is heavy and awkward, but it does have more capacity.

Ordered the Leaf Eater and Fine bag. I was able to get it for Monday delivery so I'll post back with the results. In the mean time I am making some headway with a vacuum but it is tedious to say the least.

Thanks again.

-John

Let us know how it goes.

I'm waiting for things to settle after using but I did get some of it out. The system for attaching the bag to the leaf eater is horrible. I lost a bag in the pool.

However I could see sand on the bottom of the shallow end this morning. Do you think trying to just vacuum to waste by removing the DE cartridge from the filter, open the backwash port and shut the lines down going back to the pool would work?

Thanks again for your help!

-John

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ib_gman

I'm waiting for things to settle after using but I did get some of it out. The system for attaching the bag to the leaf eater is horrible. I lost a bag in the pool.

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Sorry, I forgot to say anything about that. There's a 'knack' to it, that I don't think they explain in the literature. But I've known how for so long, I don't even think about it, as a rule.

When you put the bag on, slide the griplock tight. If you look, you'll find the bag is bunched up near the lock. Slide the bag along the cord so that the bunches are at least 2" away from the lock on both sides, and the bag near the lock, lies smoothly along the cord. Then re-tighten the bag.

Also, with heavy material like filter sand, you can't fill the bag very full, before it holds the bag down. But, if you wear a swimsuit while you do this, you do NOT have to take the bag off, to get the sand out. Just position the entire leaf eater over a 5 gallon bucket, and push the bag through the hole and into the bucket. You will get a bit wet doing this. I don't get nearly as wet as I used to, but even so, I'd rather get wet than take the bag on and off each time. By the way, if you'll put a gallon or so of water in the bucket, you'll be much less likely to dump it over, when emptying the LeafEater.

Vacuuming sand is tricky, no matter how you do it. If you'd gotten the leaf trap, you'd be fighting to clean off the O-ring and seal area each time, to keep the sand remnants from introducing a suction leak.

C'est la vie. The easy way to do this . . . is to hire someone else. ;)

Quote:

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Do you think trying to just vacuum to waste by removing the DE cartridge from the filter, open the backwash port and shut the lines down going back to the pool would work?

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Maybe. I've gotta go right now. If you do this RIGHT, vacuuming to waste is the BEST way to do it. If you do it WRONG, you'll mess up your filter. I don't have time to scan back through the thread, to see if you've posted your exact filter make and model, but that's what I'll need to answer. I don't think you've done the Pool Chart. If you would, please complete our new Pool Chart form -- it takes about 30 seconds, but will save much more than that.

Pool Chart Entry Form
Pool Chart Results

Be sure to include EXACT filter info, and I'll take a look when I get back in a couple of hours.

Ben,

I filled out the chart, so whenever you can look at it and let me know if vacuuming to waste without the DE cartridge and the lines back to the pool closed would work I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again.

-John

Hi John;

Unless you have a multiport valve, or have piped for the purpose, a PLD50 doesn't allow vacuuming to waste. You may be able to remove the drain port, and use that, to vacuum to waste:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D...te%2520PLD.jpg

(#14 + external plug #9)

This is what I did and it worked great!

1. Filled pool to top with water

2. Removed the cartridge from the filter, cleaned and reassembled tub.

4. Installed a valve to the drain port and a a back wash hose. Opened the drain valve.

5. Turned pump on. (draining out of the backwash hose) and bled air.

6. Prepared vacuum and filled hose off of one of the returns and connected to skimmer port.

7. Shut off returns to pool.

8. Shut off deep water suction to get more suction to the vacuum.

9. Cleaned pool.

I had to clean out the pump basket and tub a few times but it worked great. The deep end is 98% done and will finish the shallow end tomorrow. One downside is that I drained a lot of water from the pool but it is cheaper than a divorce. ;-) I'm refilling the pool as I write this and I'll recheck chemicals in the morning and finish the vacuum.

Thanks so much for your help. I'll post before and after pictures tomorrow.

-John

Glad you were able to work something out.