help needed with changing sand in filter

[chemstick]

thanks, everyone! I guess I was hoping there would be an "easy" button for this!

[waste]

thanks, everyone! I guess I was hoping there would be an "easy" button for this!

Chemstick, welcome to the forum, the shop-vac is the easy button. If you have one, remove the filters and start vac-ing. If you're doing this by yourself keep an eye on the weight of the cannister, no need to herniate yourself . When it's empty, check the latterals for cracks and breaks, replace as necessary.
I would strongly advise to get 50 lbs of 'pea gravel' for around the latterals (get 50 lbs pea gravel and 250 lbs filter sand), it helps the filter in a few ways and doesn't hurt anything. When you go to refill the filter, make sure the laterals are correctly positioned, cover the pipe so that nothing goes down it. Fill the tank 1/2 way with water and add the gravel, then start dumping the sand. Top off the tank with water and 'smooth out' the sand. Put on the lid and backwash for 1 minute. ... TA-DA, you're set for another 10 years or so!! Good luck with the project, if you need any more help -- just ask!

[sevver]

I always do it with the tank empty, having water in there would help for the initial settling in of the sand though, I like that idea. This forum is great!

[waste]

That's the recommended way

[chemstick]

Success! I even added an empy bacquacil bottle as the scoop! Probably the best use I have EVER gotten from baq!

Seriously, we used a combination of scooping and shop-vac and it was easier than I thought (tedious, but not difficult).

Thanks again for the support and the information!

[serviceman]

You can use a clear hose of at least 1.5" ID and empty most filters in less than 15 minutes and not have to dip, dump, or vac out the sand. Just fill the tank with water, submerge the hose in the water and pull one end out and lower it below the water level. Keep the other end down in the sand bed and let the sand syphon off with the water. If the water runs low simply shove the hose deep into the sand to stop the flow and refill the tank. The reason for the clear hose is to be able to see if the sand is clogging the hose and you can stop the flow and unstop the clog before the water runs out. Works better than a shop vac, I've used most all methods this works best

[PoolDoc]

You can use a clear hose of at least 1.5" ID and empty most filters in less than 15 minutes and not have to dip, dump, or vac out the sand. Just fill the tank with water, submerge the hose in the water and pull one end out and lower it below the water level. Keep the other end down in the sand bed and let the sand syphon off with the water. If the water runs low simply shove the hose deep into the sand to stop the flow and refill the tank. The reason for the clear hose is to be able to see if the sand is clogging the hose and you can stop the flow and unstop the clog before the water runs out. Works better than a shop vac, I've used most all methods this works best

Great idea; I've never tried that, but I can certainly see how it would work. Do you have any suggestions where folks can easily get the clear tubing?

I know where *I* can get it, but it's not a source accessible to most.

By the way, "Serviceman", one of the requirements here is that members of the pool industry disclose, in a signature line added to their profile, their affiliation with the industry, and their approximate location.

Thanks,

Ben "PoolDoc"