How much sand to use in sand filter?

[porkypete]

My sand filter has written on the tag that it takes,"1.6 cu.ft. media" (sand). How many 50 lb. bags is this? I just added three 50 lb.bags and my pressure (after backwashing) is approx.13-14psi. I had installed a couple solar heaters (black plastic roll-up type) yesterday (with 60 ' of plastic 1 1/2" pipe) and the pressure is now approx.20-21psi (in the "red" zone on my gauge where it reads "service filter"). It has a brand new Hayward 1 hp pump. Maybe too much sand in filter canister? What is proper pressure with NO solar heaters. What is proper pressure WITH solar heaters? Thanks All !

[CarlD]

Sounds like you hit it perfectly--those pressures sound perfect!

[porkypete]

Even the 20-21psi??? Before the solar heaters, I would let it go to 19-20psi, then I would backflush. What pressures would you let it rise to, before backflushing?

[hoffmans]

Hey PorkyPete-
Can I ask you a question?
How was it when you went to connect your 1 1/2 black plastic pipe to your inlet and outlets on the solar panels? We tried to do the samething yesterday but that black plastic pipe is so hard it wouldn't crush tight under the clamps where we connected it to the solar inlets/outlets. We are going to have to find something to make it work. Did you have that problem?

Thanks
~Hoffmans

[porkypete]

I ran 2 lengths (35 ft.each) of that 1 1/2" black poly pipe (that comes in 100ft.rolls) at the base of the pool. I pushed in "barbed fittings"(76 cents each) which allowed me to use regular pool hose (and clamps) between the pump (or solar heater, etc.) and black poly pipe.

[Poconos]

A heat gun works well to soften the pipe to let it slip over the barbed connections easier and form a better fit when you tighten the hose clamps. Electric paint strippers are cheap too. I've also used a propane torch but you have to be more careful not to burn the pipe.
Al