Sand for sand filter...obtaining proper kind

[RonStordahl]

I see that Ace Hardware, on their corporate web page offers 'Aqua Quartz® 50lbs Pool Filter Sand (61308)'. I am going to look further, one would think that since the Pentair Triton TR140C requires 275# of pea gravel and 650# of filter sand that this would be easily found.

I also see there is a alternative material called 'Zeolite'. I am not sure of this is worthwhile. Anyone using this?

[Watermom]

There are a few through the years who have tried Zeobrite including one of the other moderators but I think overall the consensus has been to just stick with pool sand.

[PoolDoc]

1. As far as I know, any labeled "filter sand" should be OK. Obviously, there could be exceptions, but I don't recall hearing of problems.

2. Do NOT use sandblast sand (typically, too coarse) or 'play sand'. Play sand and masonry sand usually has too many 'fines', and will plug the laterals and damage the multiport valve.

3. Be careful with your pump sizing, and piping. A TR-140 needs 100 GPM to properly backwash. Very old pools often have undersized piping. If you try to backwash a TR-140 with, say, 60 GPM, you'll fail to clean the sand fully, and will gradually loose filter capacity. There's no point in installing a filter that is too large for you to successfully backwash.