every year
Check whether the sand needs replacing
Check before you act. This one is driven by what you measure, not by the date. Check whether a full backwash still brings the pressure down — plan a media change if backwashing no longer restores pressure, or if backwashes have got much more frequent
There is no "every five years" You will see that number repeated everywhere. It is not what the manufacturers say. Hayward's guidance is condition-based, and so is this reminder. ## The two signals - Backwashing no longer lowers the pressure. You run a full backwash and the gauge barely moves. - The gap between backwashes has shortened noticeably. What used to be a monthly job is now weekly. Either one means the media has lost its edge — literally. Filter sand works because the grains are angular; years of backwashing round them off and they stop catching fine debris. ## What to replace it with Only No. 20 silica sand, 0.45–0.55 mm. Your filter's manual states the exact charge in pounds, and your routine lists it too. Glass media is an accepted alternative in some units at a lower weight — check your own manual before substituting.
What it takes
S180T
Replace all 150 No. 20 silica sand (0.45-0.55 mm)s — this model takes 150. as needed.
Quantity is POUNDS of media, not item count. Replacement is condition-driven.
S210T
Replace all 200 No. 20 silica sand (0.45-0.55 mm)s — this model takes 200. as needed.
Quantity is POUNDS of media, not item count. Replacement is condition-driven.
S220T
Replace all 250 No. 20 silica sand (0.45-0.55 mm)s — this model takes 250. as needed.
Quantity is POUNDS of media, not item count. Replacement is condition-driven.
S244T
Replace all 300 No. 20 silica sand (0.45-0.55 mm)s — this model takes 300. as needed.
Quantity is POUNDS of media, not item count. Replacement is condition-driven.
S270T
Replace all 350 No. 20 silica sand (0.45-0.55 mm)s — this model takes 350. as needed.
Quantity is POUNDS of media, not item count. Replacement is condition-driven.
SF90110T
Replace all 26 No. 20 silica sand (0.45-0.55 mm)s — this model takes 26. as needed.
Quantity is POUNDS of media. Intex also accepts glass media at 18.5 lbs for the same charge.
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