Originally Posted by
CarlD
I think you should start by replacing the sand with sand you KNOW is pool filter sand. These days, it's frequently on sale for $5.99/50#. That's $18 for 150#--cheap enough to be certain you have both proper filter sand and enough of it.
Then, if that makes an improvement, you can spend less than $10 on a small 10# box of DE. This can be added to your sand in 1/4 to 1/3 cup amounts, (just enough to raise your pressure 1 lb) and will GREATLY improve your cleaning--it will be nearly as good as a cart or DE filter and is far, far cheaper than ZeoBrite. That 10# of DE will last you several years--I'm still on my first 10# box and started using it at the end of the 2005 season--and I have 200# of sand. When you backwash, you have to replace the DE. And, if you put too much in, you'll know because your pressure will go up on the dial, but your skimmer and return flow will be reduced. The fix? Just backwash and use less DE next time.
Finally, start using skimmer socks in your skimmer. These are kind of like cloth Mr. Coffee filters in the way they look. They are pretty cheap too--I find one can be used again and again for a month--and a pack of 3 os $5 - $10--They can be called "Skimmer Socks" or be a competitor. They filter an INCREDIBLE amount of fine stuff before it gets to your filter--in pollen season (which, thank heavens is finally ending) the sock will pull out VAST amounts of the stuff, which looks like mustard-yellow spackle!
Simple, cheap, easy fixes that will yield incredible results. We mods use them ourselves, so we are experienced with it.
Re: Sand Filter Sand amount question
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