Life of Sand Filter?

[Mwil3]

I would think that as long as your tank isn't cracked it would last forever. You will need to replace gaskets from time to time and they say that the sand should be replaced about every 3 years or so. Replacement parts are much cheaper than a new unit (especially if you "know" your system already.) You can even get a new gauge and you will feel like a you have a brand new filter.

[madwil]

the gauge isn't needed, if you know your pool like you do- but also only $10 at Home Depot/Lowes- screw old one out, put some teflon tape on new one and screw in, your done!
the MV isn't hard to rebuild usually, either- but worst case is replace the valve, not the whole filter...

[CarlD]

I would think that as long as your tank isn't cracked it would last forever. You will need to replace gaskets from time to time and they say that the sand should be replaced about every 3 years or so. Replacement parts are much cheaper than a new unit (especially if you "know" your system already.) You can even get a new gauge and you will feel like a you have a brand new filter.

Your sand NEVER needs to be replaced unless you've gunked it up with Bacquacil or something equally bad. I've been using the same sand for 9 years, and my fellow moderators have been using theirs for longer and shorter amounts. As the sand gets older and dirtier, it filters better than it does when "new" (remember: your sand is far older than you are or will ever be).

[Watermom]

Ummm ....... you really need the pressure gauge. I know my pool quite well, but still say you need it.

[Mwil3]

Your sand NEVER needs to be replaced unless you've gunked it up with Bacquacil or something equally bad. I've been using the same sand for 9 years, and my fellow moderators have been using theirs for longer and shorter amounts. As the sand gets older and dirtier, it filters better than it does when "new" (remember: your sand is far older than you are or will ever be).

Thanks Carl....I guess that was just another way for "the man" to get my money.

[CarlD]

He may actually believe that. Lots of people in pool stores are honest people who have been "educated" by the pool chem& equip companies to believe a pile of barnyard slush. They aren't "crooks" because they've been trained that this is really what needs to be done. It's wrong. They don't necessarily know it. The corporate heads do, of course. Look at Leslie's campaign against high phosphates. They even off a phosphate remover "plan" of selling you the stuff on regular basis. Yet I only know of ONE member who has had an issue with phosphates, and HE got around it by raising his Borate level (using Borax) to 50ppm. So, despite have phsophate levels 6x higher than the level Leslie's says is "too high", he has no algae.
But the clerk doesn't know this. Maybe. Probably.

Carl