Filter sand: A gritty question

[Sumo1]

Our church needs to change the sand in four TR(TS?)140 filters with an estimated 600-700 lbs each. At 50lb per bag, that's about 50 bags of "pool filter sand". Is there anything special about filter sand and can it be bought in bulk quantities? Thanks, Hal

[aquarium]

I don't mean to question your judgement, but I'm curious as to why filter sand would ever need replacing.

[waterbear]

I don't mean to question your judgement, but I'm curious as to why filter sand would ever need replacing.

And the debate begins----again!

[aquarium]

Uh oh, did I step off into someplace I shouldn't go?

[CarlD]

Not at all. Generally, many people here will tell you (me included) that filter sand only needs to be changed if it gets gummed up or has a HORRID algae infestation, or something else that prevents it functioning, or you had pull it out anyway because of a broken lateral.

It doesn't really HURT to change sand, but, again, most sand users find it filters better as it gets older, so why change it? Some folks here have the same sand for a dozen years--I'm going on Year 5 myself.

You MUST use filter sand in your filter. Period. You should be able to find it for $5-$6/50lb bag....that's about $70/filter.

But is there a compelling reason to change the sand or are you just changing it to change it?

[Waterworks]

I'm with Carl here. We have many customers that have never changed their sand over the course of 15 years. We never recommend changing the sand unless there is something specifically wrong.

Brad
Waterworks Pools

[waste]

Hey all,

With uncharacteristic pseudo-thoroughness, I searched for a few things before I replied I found a few posts re: changing sand (how to) http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=2537 , http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=1068 and one where I recommend using 'pea gravel' (small, 1/8 - 1/4" 'riverstone') to replace 100 lbs of sand on the 140 filters http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=298

Sand used for filtering pool water is of a certain size and quality (sorry I don't remember the specs ), but IF you can find it in 'bulk' it might save some $ (but then again, adding the 'right' # of lbs could be a real pain and getting it into the filter might present some additional problems - bags are easy!, also - purity may be an issue with 'bulk sand'))

Tom, (to save Evan some typing) - at least some of what Evan's talking about can be found in the following threads : http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=168, http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=3394 (esp., post 11), and http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=3707 (#10). I thought that I rememberd more, about using a sand cleaner each year, but couldn't find it - (I'll let him type that )!

The info in the links should help with the changeout, if a changeout is actually necessary (BTW,Sumo, did you resolve the chlorination question?)

[huskyrider]

IMO, a sand filter should use 1/4 of its capacity in gravel around the laterals.
On TR140 C-3's, the filter I use on commercial pools with multiple filters on a bypass manifold, I use 300lbs of gravel and 600lbs of sand in each filter.
On a single 140 for a residential pool I'll use 200lbs to 700 of sand. This is probably more gravel and less total media than the MFG suggests but I've found it to work very well in service.

hal,
buy your sand from a pool supply house and get sand specifically designed for sand filters. Also don't use just 600lbs of sand. I think the Mfg suggests 950 to 1000lbs in each TR140. That's 20 bags per filter.

See Ya,
Kelly

[Waterworks]

I believe that pool filter sand is .35mm - .45mm in size. It is tripled screen to remove the smaller sand particles and the larger particles. If you get sand smaller than .35mm it will pass through the laterals and if you get any larger than .45mm it will not filter out the smallest particles, meaning anything larger than 40-60 microns.

Brad
Waterworks Pools

[Sumo1]

Answer: a"pool guy" friend told me we needed to change the sand every 5 years. Pool operators at the church change every couple of years and there's no written record but we think the sand's been in service between 15-30 years.