Converting Pool Filter From Sand To Glass

[capd]

Wanting to replace the sand in my pool filter. Good idea? Bad idea? Already bought the glass.

Have been told, once the sand is out of the filter, to fill it up 2/3 with water, and to then carefully add the glass so that it mostly sits below the 'fingers' in the filter.

Sherbet, would hate for the glass to somehow end up in the pool!

 

[qscwbt]

i would do research. I was planning on going the same route and decided against it.
Filtering is not better than claimed. Guys complained about loosing glass when they back wash.
It needs different way to sterilize.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Wanting to replace the sand in my pool filter. Good idea? Bad idea? Already bought the glass.

Have been told, once the sand is out of the filter, to fill it up 2/3 with water, and to then carefully add the glass so that it mostly sits below the 'fingers' in the filter.

Sherbet, would hate for the glass to somehow end up in the pool!

Point of thread then?

 

[capd]

Point of thread then?

Still have my slip.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Still have my slip.

Return the glass. It is just a gimmick...

 

[Speedster]

Is this glass the clinobrite stuff?

 

[capd]

So I went ahead and swapped out the sand for the glass, which seems to have a few pros to it based on some brief research. Got every last piece of sand out. Backwashed, rinsed, and all sorted.

Sorry to disappoint, @MightyQuin.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

So I went ahead and swapped out the sand for the glass, which seems to have a few pros to it based on some brief research. Got every last piece of sand out. Backwashed, rinsed, and all sorted.

Sorry to disappoint, @MightyQuin.

Not disappointed in the least. Just curious on the pros of glass vs silica(sand).

 

[capd]

Not disappointed in the least. Just curious on the pros of glass vs silica(sand).

Not disappointed in the least. Just curious on the pros of glass vs silica(sand).

Phew.

Sand’s only advantage is price. Glass superior at cleaning/filtering, backwash time? And longevity.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Phew.

Sand’s only advantage is price. Glass superior at cleaning/filtering, backwash time? And longevity.

Longevity? Not sure what that means?

You can use the same sand in your filter indefinitely.

 

[Speedster]

Longevity? Not sure what that means?

You can use the same sand in your filter indefinitely.

Not ideally. The sand becomes smooth on the edges over time, greatly diminishing its filtering effectiveness.

 

[capd]

Longevity? Not sure what that means?

You can use the same sand in your filter indefinitely.

Lifespan.

First time I’ve heard that. Would that not depend on what’s going through it? Or are you suggesting cleaning it and reusing it? If so, sounds like a potentially messy and laborious job. Or are you suggesting that with a perfect pool maintenance regiment, one would never need to change it?

Note that I’m only stating what I’ve read, and not what I’ve learnt. I’m new to the pool game and what I do know is that my new home’s filter sand was left green-ish (algae) as I could smell it in the water, and that my only option at the only pool shop serving my area, was glass.

I have done an algaecide treatment. I also started with BLU52 but I think I want to change to something not copper-based.

 

[capd]

Not ideally. The sand becomes smooth on the edges over time, greatly diminishing its filtering effectiveness.

This is what the pool shop explained. So the cost of the glass (6 bags for R1,000) was offset by the idea of longevity.

 

[op365]

I must say that I was VERY impressed with the results of using Eco-Fibre in my filter.. Every 6 months get the gardening engineer to wash and rinse the sponges out and we good to go again. Not expensive neither

 

[Napalm2880]

Not ideally. The sand becomes smooth on the edges over time, greatly diminishing its filtering effectiveness.

My old man ran our pool at home for 30 yrs and never changed the sand once. No issues.

 

[Ecco]

I am no expert, but isnt glass predominantly made from sand, silica? So replacing the sand with glass is kind of the same thing?

 

[Corelli]

Maybe I should point out that glass is made from sand.

 

[Kodi]

I am no expert, but isnt glass predominantly made from sand, silica? So replacing the sand with glass is kind of the same thing?

That's like comparing water and ice. Same molecules, but structured differently by variation of temperature.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Not ideally. The sand becomes smooth on the edges over time, greatly diminishing its filtering effectiveness.

It will take a few thousand years before the sand's edges become "smooth". Silica is one of the hardest substances in nature.

What really happens is that the small cracks and crevices become filled with dirt and that makes it smooth.

So you use specific chemicals that also clean the sand in your filter and make it rough again.

There's quite a few articles re. this on the internet.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Lifespan.

First time I’ve heard that. Would that not depend on what’s going through it? Or are you suggesting cleaning it and reusing it? If so, sounds like a potentially messy and laborious job. Or are you suggesting that with a perfect pool maintenance regiment, one would never need to change it?

Note that I’m only stating what I’ve read, and not what I’ve learnt. I’m new to the pool game and what I do know is that my new home’s filter sand was left green-ish (algae) as I could smell it in the water, and that my only option at the only pool shop serving my area, was glass.

I have done an algaecide treatment. I also started with BLU52 but I think I want to change to something not copper-based.

See my Post #19.