Razzysmom's thread

[PoolDoc]

I had never heard of a 'Columbia 22"' - unfortunately I'm afraid we're going to here a lot more about them.

I just spent about 20 minutes looking at their website. It appears they are marketing a group of Chinese made filters, pumps and filter / pump combos. I don't know anything about the manufacturing quality (except as regards the sand filter problem you are having) but I can tell that their pool system engineering is really crappy - even by US AG product standards, which are really bad. I'm going point out the site to my moderators, because I'm afraid this is a product line we are going to need to know about.

With regard to your particular problem: they have a "troubleshooting" section, which includes exactly one "troubleshooter", and it's about YOUR problem. What that tells me, is that that's a really common problem, and in its turn, that makes it clear they have an unresolved quality problem. Here's their page:

http://www.columbiapoolproducts.com/troubleshooting/

and here's the parts page:

http://www.columbiapoolproducts.com/spare-parts/

Most likely, you need the "udrain" part.

But, I'd call them and see if you can get it warranted:

Columbia Pool Products, Inc. ▪ Service: (718) 402-8233
111 Bruckner Blvd., Bronx, NY 10454

What's almost certainly has happened is that the under drain has broken, spilling sand into the pool. If the filter is new, maybe they'll send you one free.

Regardless of any of that - when a sand filter begins dumping sand into the pool, it's time to open the filter and see what's wrong.

Sorry for your problems, and good luck!

[CarlD]

The UDRAIN sound like the joint where the laterals in the tank meet the vertical pipe that rises up to the multivalve. And, as Ben says, it sounds like it is a problem. Did you load the filter with the full 250 lbs of sand it takes?

Carl

[PoolDoc]

Carl, that filter doesn't have laterals.

[CarlD]

Carl, that filter doesn't have laterals.

Really? How can it work? The Udrain sounded exactly like the laterals in a std sand filter, but as if there are only 4 of them --"an X at the bottom of the tank"

[PoolDoc]

Ok, could be -- I've never seen anything but the hub and spoke arrangement, and it didn't sound like that to me. However I couldn't find a picture, so you may be right.

[CarlD]

Ok, could be -- I've never seen anything but the hub and spoke arrangement, and it didn't sound like that to me. However I couldn't find a picture, so you may be right.

We are both guessing here, but I'm just extrapolating from what they say. I must admit I'm not impressed by their website or support level.

[razzysmom]

Sorry it took so long to get back. I took all of the sand out and inspected the bottom X and the center pipe. Didn't see anything broken. The center pipe doesnt actually attach to the X, it has a smaller fitting on it that sets down on the X. Don't know if thats normal since this is my first sand filter. I put the sand back in it, filled it up, attached the top and it has been running fine. (knock on wood) I feel that when I was using the vac, it lost flow and began suckn up sand? Maybe I didnt have it attached good? I dont know how they expect you to fix the X cause it wont come out of the tank unless you break it. Hopefully I wont have to deal with that. I do recommend to anyone with an intex pool with cartridge filters to replace it with a sand filter if its in your budget. Within just a few hours of running it the pool had cleared up dramatically. Again, thanks for all the help, the BBB has helped me with my pool greatly. If I had to mess with chemicals much I think I would of gave up the pool long ago. I'll try to keep you posted about the service I get out of my Columbia.