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