Does my pool filter need new sand?

SeRpEnT

SeRpEnT

Executive Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2008
Messages
8,320
Reaction score
8,714
Location
/\/¯¯¯¯¯\/\
I have to back wash my pool filter at least every 10 minutes otherwise the Kreepy slows down to a crawl and eventually stops against a wall. Cleaning both weir baskets makes no difference. It all seems to be related to the filter clogging up. Once backwashed it works great for about 5 to 10 minutes and then its all back to retard mode. :mad:

Could it be dirty sand in the filter which is due for replacement? I have been living 4 years in the house and have never replaced the sand. No idea about the previous owner.

And if this could be the sand, how much would it be and how do I do it?
I see they have filter sand cleaner chemicals (1 litre bottle) which is supposed to clean your sand overnight. Does this work?
 
Last edited:
Open up the cap on your pump, grab a hand of sand if it feels not so much like sand you may just need to skim the top layer of muck off.
 
SeRpEnT said:
I have to back wash my pool filter at least every 10 minutes otherwise the Kreepy slows down to a crawl and eventually stops against a wall. Cleaning both weir baskets makes no difference. It all seems to be related to the filter clogging up. Once backwashed it works great for about 5 to 10 minutes and then its all back to retard mode. :mad:

Could it be dirty sand in the filter which is due for replacement? I have been living 4 years in the house and have never replaced the sand. No idea about the previous owner.

And if this could be the sand, how much would it be and how do I do it?
I see they have filter sand cleaner chemicals (1 litre bottle) which is supposed to clean your sand overnight. Does this work?
Click to expand...

My pool had the same issue and I thought that changing the sand didn't make sense. I did it anyway because I didn't remember doing it in years. Turns out it sorted the issue with the Zodiac stopping all the time with the basket filters being clean. Make sure there are no issues with your kreepy and check when last you changed your sand. If its more than 2 years ago you need to change it anyway. The suction was definitely up after the sand change and the Zodiac moves faster.
 
If your sand is older than 2 years, replace it.

If not...
Switch off your pump.
Disconnect your Kreepy.
Clean all your leaf baskets.
Take off the lid to your sand filter.
Stick your hand (arm) in and break up any lumps ("klonte").
With the lid open, backwash for about 30 seconds.
Switch off your pump.
Clean the lid area of any sand/dirt and put the lid back on.
Backwash for 2 minutes.
Rinse for 30 seconds.
Reconnect Kreepy.
Resume filtering...
 
Last edited:
SeRpEnT said:
I have to back wash my pool filter at least every 10 minutes otherwise the Kreepy slows down to a crawl and eventually stops against a wall. Cleaning both weir baskets makes no difference. It all seems to be related to the filter clogging up. Once backwashed it works great for about 5 to 10 minutes and then its all back to retard mode. :mad:

Could it be dirty sand in the filter which is due for replacement? I have been living 4 years in the house and have never replaced the sand. No idea about the previous owner.

And if this could be the sand, how much would it be and how do I do it?
I see they have filter sand cleaner chemicals (1 litre bottle) which is supposed to clean your sand overnight. Does this work?
Click to expand...

you should backwash once a week to prevent fine dust particles collecting and clogging up the top layer of sand. a weekly backwash breaks this down and flushes it away.

it also prevent your pump from straining and using excessive electricity.


yes the sand & filter cleaner does work - to a point. best is to open up the sand filter carefully - don't loose the SS screws. as soon as you have the top off - screw the screws BACK into the holes/threads this will prevent any sand spillage getting into the threads and damaging them when you try and screw the lid back on.

as in previous post - scoop out the top +-50mm of clogged sand and then clean the top area and put the lid back on as it was before.


do a backwash & rinse as usual.
 
MickeyD said:
If your sand is older than 2 years, replace it.

If not...
Switch off your pump.
Disconnect your Kreepy.
Clean all your leaf baskets.
Take off the lid to your sand filter.
Stick your hand (arm) in and break up any lumps ("klonte").
With the lid open, backwash for about 30 seconds.
Switch off your pump.
Clean the lid area of any sand/dirt and put the lid back on.
Backwash for 2 minutes.
Rinse for 30 seconds.
Reconnect Kreepy.
Resume filtering...
Click to expand...

... removing the dead chameleon from the Kreepy's guts also helps.
 
I've had my sand for the past three years, wonder if I should change it......?

Can one use any sand?

I have plenty down the end of the road....

Sand in the desert in Omund (Medium).jpg
 
If in doubt replace it.

Just manually wash the new one before using it...its full of dust and that gets blown into the pool if you don't.
 
The Kreepy has a round rubber seal on the base. It make direct contact with the fiberglass/marbelite. Overtime it wears down and needs to be replaced.

Check it out.
 
Read this:
http://www.pooldiagnostics.co.za/index.php/why-your-swimming-pool-filter-sand-never-needs-changing/2-pool-leak-detection

How to determine if you pool pump problems are simply sand filter related

If your pump and pool cleaner run perfectly with your sand filter back wash handle set at the Bypass/Circulates position, your problem is probably the sand filter.

The Bypass/Circulation mode removes the sand filter from the pumping system by bypassing it in order to determine if your sand filter is the problem.
Click to expand...
 
Hole in the suction pipe? Problem with the Kreepy unit itself?

I have not changed the sand in mine for nearly 10 years and no issues...
 
Had the same problem with the kreepy.... it ended up being the pump's motor that was on it's last leg :(
I had:
1) Bought and replaced the sand, thinking that was the problem
2) Disassembled the entire kreepy, checking for blockages in the connected pipes
3) Eventually called someone in to see if there was a blockage between the pool's filter and the pump

In doing no. 3), the guy then told me that my motor was either faulty or on it's way to a slow demise. Replaced it (R3K) and all is well again.

For reference sake, the pump was 6 years old. They just don't make em like they used to...
 
MickeyD said:
If your sand is older than 2 years, replace it.

If not...
Switch off your pump.
Disconnect your Kreepy.
Clean all your leaf baskets.
Take off the lid to your sand filter.
Stick your hand (arm) in and break up any lumps ("klonte").
With the lid open, backwash for about 30 seconds.
Switch off your pump.
Clean the lid area of any sand/dirt and put the lid back on.
Backwash for 2 minutes.
Rinse for 30 seconds.
Reconnect Kreepy.
Resume filtering...
Click to expand...

Is it safe to operate the pump with the lid open?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X