Sand Filter systems

Today we are going to talk about Sand filter systems

There are three main filter systems available on the market for above-ground pools. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, which we will be discussing today.

The oldest form of pool filtration—and likely the first type ever created—is the sand filter system. In my opinion, it’s probably the easiest to operate.

The way it works is simple: the pool water is pushed through a tank filled with a special kind of sand called filter sand. As the pool pump pushes the water through the sand, dirt and debris get trapped in the sand, allowing clean water to flow back into the pool. That’s how it removes particles that fall into the water.

On top of the sand tank, there’s a lever handle with labeled settings for different functions. It's important to always turn off the pump before adjusting the handle. The main setting is called “Filter Pool”, and when it's on this setting, the filter cleans the water. Over time, the tank will fill up with debris, and you’ll need to clean the filter.

There’s usually a pressure gauge on the neck of the tank. The higher the number on the gauge, the more debris is in the tank—and the more urgently it needs to be cleaned. However, these gauges aren’t always reliable, as they can break or malfunction over time. So, as a general rule, it’s a good idea to clean the filter at least once a month. If you have a lot of trees nearby, you might need to clean it more often—maybe even twice a week.

How do you clean the tank?

At the top of the tank (not the bottom drain plug), there should be a setting marked “Backwash” and a fitting where a blue roll-out hose is usually attached with a clamp. This hose lets you direct the dirty water to a specific area in your yard.

Here’s the process:

1. Roll out the blue hose to where you want the dirty water to drain.

2. Turn off the pump.

3. Push down and turn the handle to the Backwash setting.

4. Turn the pump back on. You’ll see dirty water at first, then it will start to clear up.

5. Once the water runs clear, turn the pump off and move the handle to Rinse.

6. Turn the pump on and rinse for about 10 seconds.

7. Turn the pump off again and return the handle to Filter Pool.

8. You’re done! Turn the pump back on when you’re ready to clean the pool water again.

Note: If you skip the Rinse step, it's not a huge deal. Rinsing just cleans the top of the filter tank to prevent debris from flowing back into the pool. Usually, any debris left is very minimal, and in my experience, if any gets back into the pool, it’s barely noticeable.

Sand filters are easy to maintain. All you need to understand is how to use the handle and attach the roll-out hose. Once you’re familiar with the settings and process, you’re good to go

So, What Are the Disadvantages?

The biggest disadvantage of sand filters is their weight. Since the tank is filled with sand, the entire system can be quite heavy and not easy to move around. That means you’ll likely need to leave it outside year-round. Moving it can risk damaging the filter, so if you plan to leave it out over the winter, make sure to drain it properly and cover it to protect it from the elements.

Another drawback is that, out of the three main types of filters, sand filters have the least effective filtration when it comes to capturing fine particles in the water. While sand does work, it's not as efficient at catching tiny debris compared to other filter types.

There are some alternative filter media on the market that can be used in place of standard filter sand—some of which offer better cleaning performance. However, most sand filter systems come with regular filter sand by default. And while it gets the job done, it just doesn’t clean as thoroughly as the other options available.