Do sand filters need chemical cleaning?

[Pappy]

That's what I thought. I'm probably going to change my sand this winter any way, because I used Quikcrete pool sand. It is .45 - .85 mm, which is within the specs for my Intex filter, but AquaQuartz is .45 - .55 mm so it should filter better. It will probably cause higher filter pressure and some what reduce the water flow too.

Thanks again!

Pappy

[CarlD]

Is your filter not working well? Remember the old saying: If it ain't broke.....

As filter sand gets older two things happen: It wears down and it collects dirt that doesn't wash off. Both are good things because it makes the sand filter better, making it catch smaller and smaller particles. I am still using the sand that was installed in the filter for this, the 12th season and I have NO reason to change it.

Try a little DE in it first, 1/4 to 1/3 cup at a time, just enough to raise the pressure 1 or 2 lbs. DE will significantly improve the filtering of a sand filter. The water goes from clear to glistening! DE is cheap, too...I've been using the same 10lb box for 4 or 5 years now and paid less than $10 for it. Save you work, save you effort, for maybe a buck or two outlay a season.

[Watermom]

Carl, agreed that it is usually unnecessary to change your filter sand. But........ his filter has Quik-rete sand in it and that is one that has been found to not be a good one. So, he probably is doing a good thing by changing it out in this case.

[CarlD]

So...it IS broke!

Still, if DE will keep it working, well, it's a cheap fix.