I have a hayward sand filter. Do I fill the filter with water also, or just the sand?

Here is how I do it. Open the top. Open the drain on the bottom to allow the water out. Remove the plastic water difusser on the top. With a small can, scoop out the sand. When you get to the laterals, remove them for inspection. The sand below the laterals if fine, it does not need to be removed. Put the plug back in. Replace any laterals that may be broken (probably none) Fill the filter with water to about 6 inches above the laterals ... maybe more. The water will protect the laterals from the new sand as you fill the filter. It will also help the sand to pack in around the laterals. Continue filling until you are about 3 inches below the difusser that will go on the top. Make sure you don't bury the little black hose. The purpose of the little black hose is to remove the air from the filter during operation. The hose should ultimately stick up into the inside of the top (cover). I think your filter takes about 300 # of sand. Double check with your professional pool supplier where you purchase your sand. I normally will fill the filter with water before I replace the top. You may want to put on a new "O" ring too ...

This new sand should last you at least 4 to 5 years in non commercial use. After that time, you may want to replace the top 4 inches with new sand.

Thanks for your question @ FixYa.com

A Hayward S180T sand filter holds 150# of sand. In other words, fill the filter 3/4 full of sand (to the point where the tank starts to round off). Make sure, however, that you fill the tank 1/2 full of water first. This will help to cushion the laterals and prevent them from breaking from the weight of the sand. Make sure to cover the hole in the top of the lateral assembly pipe with a cup or duct tape to prevent sand from going into the pipe. If sand gets into the pipe, it will come out into the pool. Don't forget to remove the cup or tape after adding the sand!

The problem was you didn't fill the tank with water or added the gravel to fast and now the lateral assembly is broken and letting sand into the pool. You'll need to empty the tank and replace the laterals. Add gravel slowly after you fill the tank half-way with water first.

John

Fill the empty and cleaned tank about half way with water, cover the stand pipe in the filter with a plastic cup or some other means to ensure sand will not go down the pipe. Be sure the pipe is centered in the hole. Add 200# of #20 silica sand and once filled use your hand to reach in a level off the top as best you can. The sand will be about half way up the filter and now the water will be near or over the top. Once done, secure the valve in place and connect the hoses and you are ready to go.

IF IT DOES NOT FILL CONSTANT FROM POOL IF IT IS AN INGROUND YOU WILL HAVE TO HELP IT BY PUTING A GARDEN HOSE WATER ON IN SKIMMER PUT A RAG AROUND HOSE FILL CUP TURN OFF RETURNS OPEN BLEEDER VALVE ON FILTER LET WATER FILL START PUMP AND OPEN RETURN VALVE SLOWLY YOU MAY HAVE TO DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES MAKE SURE AFTER YOU GET WATER FROM BLEEDER YOU CLOSE MAKE SURE ALL CONNECTIONS ARE TIGHT INCLUDING CLEAR CAP ON PUMP THESE ARE AIR BLOCKS IF ABOVE GROUND CHECK ALL HOSES AND CAP

Replace the lateral assembly. Be sure to fill the tank just under half way with water before adding the sand back in. Otherwise you risk cracking the laterals.

if u used play sand, or any other type of sand thats NOT pool filter sand, that could be the problem. also if there is too much sand or too little sand that could also cause this.

hayward S-180 filter takes 150lbs, S-210 takes 200lbs not familur with the S-200. To change sand you have to remove the vari flow valve on top. You can either unplumb the filter and roll it over on its side and try washing the sand out or try scooping it out upright. Whatever you do dont damage the laterals on the bottom of the filter. When refilling with sand you want to make sure all the laterals are undamaged and in the down position. I always fill the filter half full of water to keep the sand from damaging the laterals while re-filling the filter with sand. Make sure you use pool filter sand and not play sand!