One of the many benefits of owning a sand filter is that you only have to change the sand every five years or so. Not to mention, replacing the sand in your pool filter is pretty straight-forward. However, before beginning this journey, don’t forget to ask yourself the all-important question, “How much sand does my swimming pool filter need?” From our experience, this is one of the most overlooked steps in the process.
How Do I Determine How Much Sand My Swimming Pool Filter Need?
Replacing the sand in your swimming pool filter should be an easy task. However, the step where most pool owners go wrong is determining how much sand has to go back into the filter tank. It is extremely important to use the correct amount of sand. Too little or too much sand can and will negatively affect the filter performance and potentially compromise your pool’s health.
There are a few ways you can determine how much sand your filter requires.
Owner’s Manual
First, if you are one of the few pool owners who keep all of their manuals in one place and know exactly where to find them, lucky you. If not, you can use the make and model listed on the tank to search for the manual online. A quick, simple Google search has never hurt anyone, right?
The owner’s manual for your filter will contain all the information you need to replace your sand. Below is a screenshot of the manual for the Pentair Sand Dollar and Cristal-Flo II Sand Filters.
In the example, you can see that the 26″ tank requires 350 lbs of sand. The larger the filter, the more sand it requires.
I Can’t Locate My Pool Filter Manual
So, what happens if you can’t locate your manual? Don’t worry, it’s not uncommon!
If for whatever reason you can’t locate your physical manual and the Internet gods aren’t being friendly, keep us in mind. INYO understands how difficult it is locating information on an older or discontinued filter. As a result, we wanted to create a single, more succinct list of sand requirements for the most popular sand filters.
Using the charts below, you can find out how much sand you need for your specific make and model sand filter.
American Products/ Pentair
| MAKE | MODEL | LBS OF SAND NEEDED |
|---|---|---|
| American Products | Eclipse 18 | 150 lbs. |
| Eclipse 20 | 200 lbs. | |
| Eclipse 22 | 200 lbs | |
| Eclipse 26 | 225 lbs | |
| Eclipse 30 | 350 lbs | |
| Sandpiper 18 | 150 lbs | |
| Sandpiper 24 | 200 lbs | |
| Meteor 18 | 150 lbs | |
| Meteor 20 | 200 lbs | |
| Meteor 22 | 200 lbs | |
| Meteor 26 | 225 lbs | |
| Meteor 30 | 350 lbs |
Hayward
| MAKE | MODEL | LBS. OF SAND NEEDED |
|---|---|---|
| Hayward | S140/ S144 | 50 lbs. |
| S160 | 150 lbs. | |
| S165/ S166/ S170 | 100 lbs. | |
| S180 | 150 lbs. | |
| S190 | 175 lbs. | |
| S200 Series | 200 lbs. | |
| Pro Series S210 | 200 lbs. | |
| Pro Series S220/ S230 | 250 lbs. | |
| Pro Series S240/ S244 | 300 lbs. | |
| Pro Series S270 | 350 lbs. | |
| Pro Series S310 | 500 lbs. | |
| Pro Series Plus S311 | 500 lbs. | |
| Pro Series Plus S360 | 700 lbs. | |
| GM140 | 40 lbs. | |
| GM142/ GM152 | 50 lbs. | |
| GM195 | 175 lbs. | |
| GM225 | 200 lbs. | |
| GM245 | 300 lbs. |
Jacuzzi
| MAKE | MODEL | LBS. OF SAND NEEDED |
|---|---|---|
| Jacuzzi | Laser L160 | 140 lbs. |
| Laser L190 | 200 lbs. | |
| Laser L225 | 250 lbs. | |
| Laser L250 | 350 lbs. | |
| Sand Storm TM26 | 300 lbs. | |
| Sand Storm TM31 | 500 lbs. | |
| Sand Storm TM36 | 800 lbs. | |
| Sand Trap ST24 | 350 lbs. | |
| Sand Trap ST27 | 600 lbs. | |
| Sand Trap ST33 | 850 lbs. |
Pentair/ Pac Fab
| MAKE | MODEL | LBS. OF SAND NEEDED |
|---|---|---|
| Pentair/ Pac Fab | Sand Dollar SD35 | 100 lbs. |
| Sand Dollar SD40 | 150 lbs. | |
| Sand Dollar SD60 | 200 lbs. | |
| Sand Dollar SD70 | 300 lbs. | |
| Sand Dollar SD80 | 350 lbs. | |
| Tagelus TA35 | 100 lbs. | |
| Tagelus TA40 | 175 lbs. | |
| Tagelus TA50 | 225 lbs. | |
| Tagelus TA60 | 325 lbs. | |
| Tagelus TA100 | 600 lbs. | |
| Triton II TR40 | 125 lbs. | |
| Triton II TR50 | 175 lbs. | |
| Triton II TR60 | 250 lbs. | |
| Triton II TR100 | 450 lbs. | |
| Triton II TR140 | 650 lbs. |
Pentair/ StaRite
| MAKE | MODEL | LBS. OF SAND NEEDED |
|---|---|---|
| Pentair/ Sta-Rite | Crystal-Flo T170BP | 150 lbs. |
| Crystal-Flo T200BP | 200 lbs. |
|
| Crystal-Flo T240BP | 240 lbs. | |
| Crystal-Flo T300BP | 300 lbs. | |
| HRPB20 | 200 lbs. | |
| HRPB30 | 400 lbs. | |
| System 3 S7S50 | 200 lbs. | |
| System 3 S8S70 | 300 lbs. |
Waterway
| MAKE | MODEL | LBS. OF SAND NEEDED |
|---|---|---|
| Waterway | Carefree FS016 | 100 lbs. |
| Carefree FS019 | 150 lbs. | |
| Carefree FS022 | 250 lbs. | |
| Carefree FS026 | 400 lbs. | |
| Clearwater FS16 | 50 lbs. | |
| Clearwater FS19 | 100 lbs. | |
| Clearwater FS22 | 150 lbs. | |
| Clearwater FS26 | 200 lbs. |
How To Add/Replace Sand to Your Sand Filter
The ‘how much sand does my filter need?’ question is always followed up with, a “How do I replace the sand?” question. To help with the “how”, we recommend checking out our how-to video below on replacing the sand in a sand filter.
I Don’t Know Which Filter I Have
How can you determine how much sand you need if you can’t identify the make and model of your filter? Frankly, it’s a little difficult. However, it isn’t impossible. If possible, the very first thing you want to look for is an identifying part number.
Typically, you can find a part number on any part of the filter. Still, in many cases, you may need to open the filter and examine the internal parts. If in the end you still can’t identify your filter, we can try and help. Send us a few pictures of your sand filter to UPLOAD@INYOPOOLS.COM and one of our technicians can take a look for you.
How do you tell if you need to add some sand so you don’t have to replace all of it. I replaced my sand last year. I had to move it this year and it did not seam like there was 100 pounds of sand when we moved it. I have been looking for a while now and can not find an answer.
You’d likely look for the same signs as when you need to replace all the sand. I don’t know the answer because I’ve not seen anyone do it that way.
It seems tedious to do it piecemeal, as you suggest; add a small amount of new sand to the majority of old gunky sand. You’re ensuring that you need to repeat the process than if you had done the complete dump and refill the first time.
When you talk about filter diameter, are you talking about the opening? like where the multiport valve connects to the filter? because my actual filter is way larger that 26″? THanks!
The diameter of the tank refers to the width of the tank body. You may be measuring the circumference.
Does my ec50c hayward filter use sand?
No, it does not. The Hayward Perflex 25 Sq. Ft. – EC50C (W3EC50AC) is a diatomaceous earth (DE) filter.
Hello I need to replace the sand in my filter. It is a older Jacuzzi Turbo 5000 and cannot find any info anywhere on it. I would like to know how much sand is required to refill it please.
Thanks Terry
The label of my pump is completely faded but I can see SA10692 on the bottom right corner of the label. I know it’s a Waterway Clearwater.
Need to know how much sand tomorrow in.
Thank you
I have a 19” Waterway Millenium filtration system. I don’t know if this is the model number, it’s the number above the bar code… SFM030839
How much sand does this system need?
I have a Proline 09440 sand filter. How much sand?
I was given a sparco sand filter. How much sand do I need?
The tag on my sand filter says “Millennium Ultimate Granular Filtration In-Ground Series with a check box next to 22”. Having trouble finding anything online for this. Any ideas how much sand I’ll need? Thanks!
Can you see a part number on any of the external pieces like the valve, tank, clamp assembly, or drain plug? Millennium is a very common “private label” moniker. Private label products can use various manufacturers’ products under the same model name.
Hello! I have the same filter as Lisa B. ” Millennium Ultimate Granular Filtration In-Ground Series with a check box next to 22” and was wondering about how much sand is needed also. The number on the label under the barcode is SFM21702. Is the correct amount 250 lbs? Thanks so much! 🙂
Reply
Matthew Simmons says:
April 7, 2021 at 4:42 PM
Can you see a part number on any of the external pieces like the valve, tank, clamp assembly, or drain plug? Millennium is a very common “private label” moniker. Private label products can use various manufacturers’ products under the same model name.
I did some research all over the net, i think is 250 lbs of sand.
I have a Hayward S310T filter how much sand should I place in it
The Hayward S310T sand filter requires 500 of sand.
I have a Clearwater 19” sand filter – how much Zeobrite filter media do I need to replace the sand (I was told 50#) – is this amount right?
E-mail: pattom1@centurylink.net
As we mention in the article, we list the Waterway Clearwater FS19 filter and it lists the amount to use is 50 lbs. If your filter is not that model, then I would need to know the model number.
My Pool water Filter tank needs 30lb of sand
now do I add water on tank filter as all the sands is in?
If your filter is empty, I would fill the tank halfway with water before pouring in the sand. Adding water before the sand helps cushion the force hitting the laterals to help prevent cracks or breaking.
How much sand goes into my crystal flo t180wf
150 Lbs.
I have a millennium 22,” Sand filter how much sand do I need
Millennium is a very common “private label” name for sand filters. What is the model number of your filter?
I want to put in clean sand, but do not know how much to put into my 27300 XL series Millennium sand filter. Do you have any advice?
I tried searching that model number and name and I came back with zero solid results. Are you sure Millenium is the manufacturer of the filter? How old is the unit?
Great explanation! Thanks