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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[@Francis-sp9fx]

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

[@handydadtv]

Hello Malaysia!

[@tomallen7699]

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

[@handydadtv]

Good tip

[@hotblack1166]

I've had glass in my filter for over 10 years and I'm still not convinced. I helped a friend swap out her sand last summer and 9 months on her pool is looking much clearer than mine. I could see clouds of dirt coming back into my pool when vacuuming and have tried several things to filter this out. I use skimmer socks, added a jug of DE to the sand filter (via the skimmer) and even fitted two large 1 micron socks to the return jets. The socks used to catch a lot of the fine particles that the glass media didn't but eventually they wore out and that's when I switched to the DE. I have today spotted a leak from the valves connected to the sand filter so I think it's time to switch back to proper sand.

[@tomallen7699]

@@hotblack1166 , you either have channeling occuring or your pump is sized incorrectly. Both easily corrected

[@hotblack1166]

@@tomallen7699 I have an Astralpool Victoria Plus 38774. 16,000 l/h 0.76 kW (1 HP) 230/400 V III for an In Ground Plaster pool of 15,500 US gallons. The pump would seem to be OK for the size of pool but I'm of a mind to replace it for a variable speed pump but haven't researched those yet. I changed the glass media about 5 years ago without looking up which media to buy (company that installed the filter 5 years previous told my mother-in-law glass was better so just went with the same). I've had to replace the MPV gasket so it's not that and the returning cloudiness (when vacuuming) has continued after the change of media so that would rule out channelling. As I have to empty the filter to repair the tubing I'll make the switch to sand just as an experiment. I'll be back one day with the results (giving enough time for channelling to set in) but any recommendations on pumps gratefully received. .

[@brucekn59]

What kind of pea-gravel did you use? something from Lowes or HDepot ok? I changing from sand to glass but getting a lot of conflicting advice on whether to use p-gravel or not and if so what kind to use? thanks!

[@lapdawg60]

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!

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@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.

[@davidschnabel9164]

Thank you for making a good video on this topic.

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure!

[@ivanfisher9301]

the fingers are called laterals

[@lordgarth1]

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.

[@handydadtv]

I only have a single speed pump. I was thrilled to get eight years from my zeolite. The shopvac did a great job getting it out.

[@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?

[@handydadtv]

No, my pool supply didn't say anything about that.

[@U2BROTHR]

@@handydadtv I came here looking for this answer too. I need to make the switch in my sand filter and I'm weighing all my options... I'm in Canada, and I'm having a hard time finding glass... Hmm....

[@justaviewerortwo2924]

U2BROTHR I ended up getting mine at Mario Pools and Spa in Fredericton NB for 17.00 or 18.00 a bag plus tax. I have also heard this is the way to go and I must say putting it in today looked really cool all that glass. I hope it really does work well

[@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?

[@handydadtv]

It's still closed right now (in NJ) but it worked great last year. I also raised my vacuuming to a new level -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5fEp61uZa6gjtk

[@ts6640]

HandyDadTV update? Really curious how it worked out this past summer

[@joshbaker6488]

It's insane this video was made just 4 years ago and he said it was 17.99 a bag quick Google search shows it's selling anywhere from 40-70$ a bag now that's ridiculous... But anyway great video!! And the technical name is laterals for the "fingers"

[@handydadtv]

I’d always recommend buying heavy items locally if possible. Shipping is crazy.

[@joshbaker6488]

@@handydadtv right but this is base price before shipping just shows true corporate greed imho

[@handydadtv]

Yeah you’re right. It’s recycled glass! You’re doing them a favor by taking it.

[@joshbaker6488]

@@handydadtv too bad noone actually uses common sense or thinks logically in today's world... I subed to your channel you have some great very helpful videos bravo to you I kicked the idea around of making my own channel doing just how to diy stuff that really anyone should know how to do but anyway great content man keep up the great work!!

[@handydadtv]

Thanks for subscribing! Welcome to the family!

[@VampireOnline]

If you had the choice would you prefer an indoor pool you can use all year or an outdoor pool like you have now?

[@handydadtv]

We only use the pool to cool off in the summer, so I have no need for it in the cooler months even if it was indoors. I’m also fine with the limited maintenance of a 3-month swimming season.

[@30thbirthdaywithPPB]

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!

[@lindabeck1435]

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?

[@handydadtv]

You can replace the guts of the filter and it will perform like new. But you can’t know what needs to be replaced until you remove the old sand and inspect it. Watch this video to see how we repaired my son-in-law’s filter kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5LVnKGNd9uWoZo

[@batmann6483]

How do I calculate how much glass I need for my sand filter I have a 18inch sand filter

[@handydadtv]

The bag will tell you.

[@dudleydorite7678]

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

[@handydadtv]

Mine is fine. We also used glass with my daughter’s pool but we replaced the internal filter parts too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5LVnKGNd9uWoZo

[@user-tp9sv4yh2s]

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!

[@handydadtv]

I’m stumped. The only thing I lube is the chlorinator lid gasket, but not every time.

[@raedsami4384]

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

[@handydadtv]

I liked Zeolite better.

[@alexs4112]

Can glass get into the pool and cause damage in o liner?

[@handydadtv]

It’s not sharp.

[@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 ?

[@handydadtv]

I honestly have no recommendation for current models. I had a big one from Sears that lasted 35 years. They don’t make them like that anymore.

[@millatym04]

How has the brightline worked for you over the years?

[@handydadtv]

I moved from that house, but used it again at my daughter’s house in 2020. Pool looks great.

[@millatym04]

@@handydadtv thanks for the quick reply and intelligent upload. Will help many for years to come.

[@semsticks]

My pool is 7 Mts old and don't think it was set up correctly , now that you have had both sand and glass, whats your thoughts??? Old. Vs. New????

[@handydadtv]

DE filters have the best filtration, but they are messy. I like sand filters. Less mess and you can always add a half cup of DE to boost filtering. I’m not so sure glass is that much better than sand, at least as much as they sell it to be. At least, not in filtration. I haven’t had it long enough to judge the longevity.

[@duckispve5283]

The right term is laterals. The ones you are calling fingers 👍

[@handydadtv]

Lateral fingers 🤪

[@videonet305]

So its been a year ... almost ... do you recommend this over the standard silica sand ? im due for a media change and considering using this product ... hows it been so far?

[@handydadtv]

My pool was great last year and so far this year too. My daughter and son-in-law bought a house with an inground pool too (bigger than mine) and we just renovated it. They used glass in the sand filter too and it looks awesome.

[@videonet305]

Great Thank you 👍🏻

[@MrPhatties]

How about a 1 year later review?? How well does it flush? Is the filtering still as effective? How well does it flow?

[@handydadtv]

Still working perfectly.

[@catspaws65]

I have the 2800 Gph Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump (reading needs 50 pound bag of sand) cant seem to find how much glass media I would need any ideas?

[@handydadtv]

Confirm with the pool store, but I believe you use the same amount of glass.

[@gretchendemunbrun1735]

What happens if you don't put in water before the media ?

[@handydadtv]

The weight can break the lateral assembly.

[@justaviewerortwo2924]

Why do you need to put water in first ? They never told me this today at pool store

[@handydadtv]

It prevents damage to the laterals.

[@YardGuy]

I will remember this for 7 years from now.

[@handydadtv]

If I’m still in this house, I’ll dedicate the follow-up video to you.

[@YardGuy]

@@handydadtv Deal. 😂 I gave mine a good rinse this year. Flushed out a bunch of cottonwood seeds....

[@docfaceful]

Im thinking of adding the same amount as i would sand too.i think they just dont want people who have failing moters anyway to think it has anything to do with this product .so( doctor)...do you still concur...just add same amount? Because adding only 85 pounds(as i did)is pretty weak when it says add 120 pounds if it were sand

[@handydadtv]

I substituted the sand weight using glass.

[@dcq5381]

17 a bag. This stuff is 80 a bag on Amazon now. Oh how times change. Does anyone know if using the glass means you only need to fill the filter half way?

[@handydadtv]

Don’t buy filter media from Amazon. It’s too heavy. Get it locally.

[@Testinglif3]

What pool filter model and size do you have?

[@handydadtv]

I don’t know. I sold that house.

[@dianecooper8751]

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.

[@handydadtv]

I suggest you ask the dealer.

[@dianecooper8751]

Thanks so much for replying! But...Dealer? The pool was installed long before we bought the house 8 years ago, and I ordered the ZeoSand from Walmart online. I guess I could ask the local pool store? They might not be happy that we are planning to do it ourselves because I will cancel the service call with them. After watching your video, I feel like we can do it.

[@handydadtv]

Yes I meant the local pool supply. I didn’t think it would be cost effective to buy filter media online, so it didn’t cross my mind. I’m sure you can make an inquiry without telling them you already bought it elsewhere. “I’m considering replacing the media in my filter and want to know the cost. For my model, can you tell me how much sand or ZeoLite I’d need?”

[@dianecooper8751]

@handydadtv Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. Unfortunately, there is only one pool supply store in our small town. They already know me and are expecting to send out someone to change our pool filter sand on Tue. It didn't occur to me that we might be able to do it ourselves until watching your video. Thanks so much! I will figure it out.🙂

[@TruckerDave215]

Sand Required BrightLine Glass Media Required 100 lbs 80 lbs 150 lbs 120 lbs 200 lbs 160 lbs 250 lbs 200 lbs 300 lbs 240 lbs So for 300 u need 240 My friend told me it was half of sand but website say 240 for 300 cap of sand

[@roblancey3305]

How do you know how much to use? I got a pool free off of my neighbor.

[@handydadtv]

Take a picture of your filter’s label to the pool store. They’ll look it up for you.

[@CallMe_DrWorm]

Looks good! I'm tired of adding DE to our sand filter to quickly filter out shocked algae when opening after winter. Paired with clarifier it gets the job done nicely but with downsides. The DE tends to stay mingled with the sand and doesn't completely backwash out, eventually migrating to the laterals and into the pool for a lovely micro-fine sand bottom aquarium effect. I'm also in NJ, which store did you purchase your glass media from? I'd like to visit them ASAP!

[@handydadtv]

All the pool stores should carry it. I got it from Central Jersey Pools in Freehold.

[@CallMe_DrWorm]

@@handydadtv Awesome thanks man. I'll call around to see if anyone has it close to me. Nice channel you have bud, keep up the great work!

[@handydadtv]

Thanks 😊

[@GDIGS]

What do you do with the old sand

[@handydadtv]

Dumped it in my compost pile.

[@bradmishawaka]

Replace your lines with pvc! Night and day better!!

[@handydadtv]

Thanks

[@christinejustinkolling6680]

How is the glass filter media working for your pool?

[@handydadtv]

Well, I sold that house in 2020. But we used the same filter media that year at my daughter’s house on my series called The Living Flip. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5LVnKGNd9uWoZo. So this will be the fourth season with the glass media for them.

[@christinejustinkolling6680]

Thank you so much for getting back to me. This is very helpful. Stay safe

[@juanpatino1000]

Where are you located I can't find here in LA are the glass sand

[@handydadtv]

NJ

[@caylacunningham238]

also called glass media.. if that helps..

[@aleksandarbocev1980]

Are you using intex pump for inground pool? If so, is it working fine?

[@handydadtv]

That is a Hayward filter and pump.

[@arttully7982]

Chris- how did you know to only have to put in approx 50 percent of sand- my filter holds 500 lbs of sand?

[@arttully7982]

sorry Chris- I should have said 80 percent

[@handydadtv]

That’s what the guy at the pool store told me. Same number of bags as sand, it’s just lighter.

[@siroiswimmingpooltumkur396]

How is doing now ??? Its been 2 years

[@handydadtv]

I moved but I’ve been in touch with the new owners and the pool filter is going strong.

[@siroiswimmingpooltumkur396]

@@handydadtv thanks for your response sir

[@officesmart]

why coarse first?

[@handydadtv]

I rewatched the video and still don’t know what you are asking.

[@jed2055]

@@handydadtv I think officesmart is not referring to your video. A couple of bags of course grade glass first then the rest is finer grade. Wasn't going to comment but guys, this is glass and the mist rolling around as you pour in the glass . . . is glass too and you DO NOT WANT THAT IN YOUR LUNGS. Use a good face mask or risk emphysema years later. Bought 7 bags last week for AU$32.50. Backwash first after loading up the filter to flush out any of the finer glass powder. You don't want it in the pool.

[@jtjohnston1970]

Is the filter glass still holding up to your standards?

[@handydadtv]

It’s only been one season, but it cleans the pool perfectly.

[@theeraphatsunthornwit6266]

@@handydadtv what about now?

[@handydadtv]

Yeah still fine

[@mkzenthusiasts]

Glass Media? Who knew. At least you're not one of THOSE PEOPLE who have a cartridge filter. Pool chemicals are expensive enough and then you hafta replace the filter? Sand filters are then only way to go or glass in your case.

[@handydadtv]

I’ve had cartridge filters, D.E., and sand filters. SAND IS THE BEST bar none. I got eight years from my zeo-sand and hope to get even more from the glass. And it’s made from recycled bottles. Win-win!!

[@harleydad1975]

That stuff is $50 for 40 lbs on Amazon and I can't find it anywhere else.

[@handydadtv]

I’d use whatever you can get locally.

[@Michael-dr6ot]

Why wouldn't you just tip it over and finish cleaning it ? and don't try and pull the centre out through the sand you will break it .

[@timbateman6767]

Sand should be changed 3-5 years

[@handydadtv]

Thanks