Can I use sand from Lowes

[duraleigh]

Why do you need to change your sand? Sand last for many years?

If you do so anyway...you need swimming pool sand....Lowe's sand is filthy.

[wendylolex]

I have to change my sand because I didn't properly close my pool down and I have a great big oak in my backyard that loves to drop all the leaves in my pool. and has done so for three years now. Last year I had a difficult time cleaning my pool, so i figured I would need to change the sand out this year.

[PoolDoc]

Duraleigh is right -- you shouldn't assume that your sand needs replacing. It may be the wrong sand, or there may not be enough, or it may be gummed up. But you shouldn't replace just because it's been there for awhile.

Ben
"PoolDoc"

[wendylolex]

How would I know if I need to change my sand or not? My pool is VERY green right now with a lot of particles floating around. I just put 20 bottles of the small bleach to kill some of the algae and I'm running the filter. Should I go ahead and buy some algacide or wait until the bleach has some time to work. Thanks, Wendy

[Sherra]

Since you just put new sand in it last year you probably don't need to replace the sand. This may sound like a silly question to a lot of people, but are you backwashing?

[wendylolex]

I haven't put new sand in it since I bought it in 2003. This will be year 4. It seems I have to backwash it all the time. Which was another reason I thought I should replace the sand.

[waterbear]

Not an expert on sand filters but I know that they sell filter sand cleaners. Perhaps your sand just needs cleaning?

[wendylolex]

How do I clean my sand?

[duraleigh]

Hi, Wendy,

I think this thread is getting off track. I'll bet if you put enough Clorox in your pool, your water will clear up and you won't have to do a thing to your filter except backwash it.

Now, we can't tell you how much is enough unless you post up some numbers for us. We need FC, CC, pH, Alk, and CYA. If you can't post those, get to Leslies or Walmart or wherever and get a kit that will.

My pool is VERY green right now with a lot of particles floating around. I just put 20 bottles of the small bleach to kill some of the algae and I'm running the filter.

That green is still algae and your filter won't kill it....Clorox will.

If it were my pool, I'd drop all thoughts of my filter and kill the algae in the pool. THEN, your filter will clean your pool.

Skip the algacide....you need Clorox.

[wendylolex]

I've added the bleach and already it's beginning to look much better. I will get that info to you. Thanks, Wendy