sand returning in pool

[cmtwhite]

Still getting sand bottom of pool..
replaced liner so there are no leaks.

replaced laterals in filter..are we doing something wrong?

any suggestions.

after i cleaned with aqua bug i always back wash and rinse any thing else i should be doing

[docsobeck]

how much sand are we talking about? there's a big difference between a few tablespoons on the pool floor under a return jet, and a coffee can full a day... if it's just a bit here and there, it's nothing to worry about. i've been getting a little scattering of sand at the bottom of my stairs under one return for years, and it's no big deal. it just gets sucked back into the filter when i vacuum it up.

if, on the other hand, you're talking about A LOT of sand, then obviously there's a problem. excessive sand in the pool could be an indicator of an oversized pump for your filter, or a number of other things.

[ytngt]

When I had a 250# sand filter I would always get a few tablespoons of filter sand in the pool every week. I used a sand/silt bag on the polaris to get it up off the bottom, so I know that it was #20 filter sand. I replaced the sand in the filter and checked every lateral for damage but still a little sand was on the bottom of the pool. I had to be wearing good goggles to see it underwater but I could feel it and it drove me nuts. In my opinion there should be NO filter sand in the pool, only in the filter.

So after several years of being annoyed I stepped up and bought a new DE filter. I don't mind the extra maintenance and no more filter sand in the pool, just red clay the black lab introduces.

You can call me hypersensitive but I hated filter sand in the pool and now I'm much happier. A cartridge or DE filter will get rid of filter sand in your pool but you have to be pretty annoyed by sand to spend the money on a new filter...

Good luck

[halds]

From what I understand, If your sand filter is working properly, it should not be putting any sand in the pool. Even one small break or crack in a lateral could be the culprit. When replacing the laterals it is very important to replace the sand very carefully when first filling so that it does not put pressure down on the laterals. I had this experience myself when I replaced mine. Maybe you cracked one of the new laterals?


or maybe the sand is coming from somewhere else? Like a kids sand box?

Hal

[ksturge]

Can I ask some more questions about sand in the pool? I am having this very same problem. I know it isn't normal - or even coming from a sandbox. My question is - how do I proceed? I don't even know what a lateral is? How would I know if one is cracked? Please help - you guys seem to know everything there is about pools.

[GinnyB]

A lateral is in the filter it self it looks like a fan. In order to get to it you will need to dump the filter. It is not easy to change the laterals AT ALL. Good luck!!!!!

[matt4x4]

I'd like to know what part of changing laterals is hard? Maybe the turning over of the heavy filter tank to scoop the sand out???
Best way to get the sand out is remove the multi port valve, turn tank on it's side, use a hose to wash it out -basically letting the water do the work, once clean, reach in and unscrew the laterals, inspect and replace as necessary - I would also inspect the standpipe and fittings, sometimes those are the culprits.

[victus]

Could this problem be also caused when the pump's GPM flow exceeds the sand filter's GPM flow rating and forcing sand out of the filter??