How to Replace Filter Sand using Glass Media

In this video, I show how to replace the sand in a Hayward sand filter. I used 160 pounds of recycled glass media instead of 200 pounds of pool sand. I bought it at a local pool store for around $18 per bag.

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[tomallen]

We have been using glass media for approximately 10 years, our clients LOVE it! Especially those with DE filters- we get DE quality water with sand filter convenience. Additionally, the water savings is substantial! Great for well water customers.
We always use pea gravel base to aid in a more complete backwash

[DirtMonkeyAdventures]

My supervisor at work replaced his with the same material. Loved it for a month but then it lost its filtration quality and went back to pool sand. I really hope this works out for you and your pool as my wife and I are needing to change ours soon probably (6 years so far.) Love your videos.

[Francis-spfx]

Very good tutorial for this process, appreciated, hope to see more other topic in the future, Thank you Bro. I am Francis from Malaysia.

[lapdawg]

Those bags of filter glasss are now almost $50 a bag, just three years later! Yikes! I just saw that Hayward models after 2006 have 'tool' on the outside of the drain cap that lets you reverse the cap, and unscrew in internal screen in the port. That lets the sand come out that way, and is apparently easier (no need to shop-vac). Haven't tried it yet, but I'm fixing to this week. In any case, GREAT and helpful video, as well as your link to "We Fixed The Pool" video!

[jayeburke]

Thank you so much for this! Seems simple enough.

[lordgarth]

I replaced the sand in mine with zeolite last year and it works much better. It appears that it’s easier to pull the zeolite out than sand unless you hid that all from us. :) Do you have a variable speed pump? I noticed you were using a timer. I replaced my old single with a variable and it works much better with less power. Enjoy that pool. The weather in Michigan this year has me putting a heater in for next season.

[eddiediaz-perez]

Fo you use coarse glass for the bottom or all fine glass media?

[davidschnabel]

Thank you for making a good video on this topic.

[InMyHead]

have you heard of some people saying to put pea gravel in the bottom of the filter tank to help support the "fingers" in the bottom when using a sand alternative such as Brightline, ZeoSand or the pool filer balls?

[bigfootswingman]

How is the pool holding up? I have regular sand in my filter but not happy with the filtration. I understand Glass filters better. How does it look?

[KellyMcMahon-kx]

I just cleaned out my sand filter by myself for the first time. In watched your video and vacuumed out the entire filter, cleaned the hinges all out, replaced and covered with water, added the glass medium and added water to cover the glass up tp about 4-5 inches below the filter hose. I hooked everything back up and tried to backwash, but the when I tried to backwash, the pressure got so high it popped the top off, spraying water out all the connections. Not sure if I need to empty out some of the water from the filter, if I need to apply lube to the gasket connections or if it simply is not tightened enough? Do you add lube to all the connections every time you undo them? Any other suggestions? TYVM!

[WalkingbytheSpiritAlways]

Hi there, My Zeolite has been in there for about 7 years, and it seems to take a lot longer to clear the pool after a heavy rain. I won't be doing it myself as a single, older woman (65), but what was the reason you did not want Zeolite again? My filter requires 300 lbs of sand, so 150 lbs of Zeolite. I was about to get a few estimates from pool companies to replace. Maybe I could do it myself? My filter is Hayward S244S, so it doesn't have the same top as yours.

[thbirthdaywithPPB]

Hey sir - where did you get those stairs for your pool? They look like they're going over the vinyl liner? My pool is an old inground with a vinyl liner and only has the standard stairs that typically go into the deep end so I bought some drop in ones that are weighed down by sand but it's not super stable and I've got a sister who's ill with bad balance and has difficulty getting out of the pool using my drop in stairs. When I get my liner replaced in a few years I planned to have cement stairs built in the pool but that doesn't help my sister right now!

[PrettyGoodLookin]

Please advise me....I need to buy a new shop vac ( my very first one )....what brand do you use ? How big is it ? And....do you attach a pipe to the end of your shop vac ? hard to see. Did the pipe attachment come with your shop vac ?

[lindabeck]

Great video. My filter is really old...20 years?? Can I put glass media into it? My pool company wants me to buy a new filter. It is working fine even though it's old, but if replacing the sand would work, I'm game. What would you suggest?

[dudleydorite]

How had it held up?
Soon as I turn my pump back on I get really fine particles on the bottom of the pool.

[raedsami]

Hello I’m planning to change my regular sand should I go with glass or zeolight sand?

[millatym]

How has the brightline worked for you over the years?

[crysdon]

are you still liking the glass filter? are there any problems with it?

[dianecooper]

You stated the amount of ZeoSand to replace regular sand is 50%, but you used 80%. Online calculators and guidance also say 50%. So, I'm not sure how much to use. Our filter would take 300 lbs. of normal sand. So, do I use 150lbs of ZeoSand (six (6) 25lb. bags for 50%) or 240lbs of ZeoSand (9.6 25lb bags for 80%)? Please help. I don't want to put too much or too little.