Sand filter systems
Sand filter systems contribute significantly to the cleanliness of the bathing water by cleaning it and filtering out dirt particles. Steinbach's sand filter systems have a dual function and can be operated both with the filter medium quartz sand and with filter balls. Due to their high circulation capacity, sand filter systems are suitable for all pool types and sizes.
Frequently asked questions for Sand filter systems:
Remove the transport lock from the button cell battery, otherwise the filter times will not be saved in the event of a power failure. Check the battery (lithium 3V CR2032) and replace it if necessary.
Remove the transport lock from the button cell battery. Set the external timer at the desired times and then plug the pump into the timer. Now start the integrated timer of the pump and set the time to 24 hours. The pump then starts at the times set on the external timer. This does not apply to INTEX filter systems.
With Intex sand filter systems, only the integrated timer works; an external timer cannot be connected due to the safety standards.
Remove the transport lock from the button cell battery. If you do not remove these, the filter times will not be saved in the event of a power failure. Check the battery and replace it if necessary (Button cell lithium 3V CR2032).
No, the red lights are not an error message. The lights on the timer are alternately green and red.
Pressure too high
If the filter performance decreases or the pressure is too high, the filter medium (quartz filter sand, filter balls or Steinbach Filter Wool Flakes) is often soiled and may need to be replaced depending on the operating time and degree of soiling. With sand filter systems, you should switch off the pump and set it to the backwash function. Carry out the backwash process until clean water emerges from the backwash pipe (maximum 2 minutes).
Backwashing is not possible with Filter Balls or Steinbach Filter Wool Flakes. In this case, you should wash the respective filter medium by hand and dry it in the sun or replace it if necessary.
Pressure too low
Low pressure indicates a dirty pre-filter that is restricting the water flow to the pump. Clean the pre-filter and check the suction pipe. Check the water level and the height of the suspension skimmer; if the water level is too low, too little water flows into the pump. Check the pressure gauge for damage.
Clean the pressure line and empty the pre-filter basket. Check whether the suction pipe or the pre-filter basket is blocked and make sure that the inlet nozzle is open if it was closed.
No, the filter system may only run when the pool is not in use. On the one hand, there is a risk of injury from the suction nozzle, on the other hand, dirt particles are swirled around during use, which the system cannot filter.
The filter system should circulate your pool water at least twice a day. Our Comfort 75 filter system, for example, manages approx. 8,000 litres per hour and can therefore completely circulate a pool with 19,000 litres once in just under 2.5 hours.
Check whether the seal (O-ring) is inserted correctly. If it is not placed with the nose in the groove of the vessel, the 7-way valve does not close properly and there is a higher distance between the 7-way valve and the vessel. Check whether the partition in the sand and clean water chamber area is correctly inserted in the sieve bottom. If not, the 7-way valve is also too high. Make sure that the seal at the top of the filter tank is in clean and perfect condition and that no sand is sticking to it. You can coat the O-ring with Vaseline. This serves to preserve the O-ring and additionally supports the sealing. Check that the 7-way valve is correctly fitted with the notch on the underside of the cover and the notch on the filter. Place the 7-way valve on the filter vessel, preferably with the help of a second person. Press the lid onto the filter bowl and make sure that the lid is flush with the vessel.
It is best to close the clamping ring with the help of a second person. A screw clamp can be used as an aid. The clamping ring must be tapped over the skeleton of the valve cover and vessel. If tapping with the palm of the hand is not enough, a rubber mallet can also be used. Start tapping at the back of the bolt and hit the tension ring evenly on the right and left until the ribbed pattern disappears. Then the clamping ring can also be easily closed with the bolt. The closure requires some force and must be a little stronger, as the vessel builds up pressure when used and must seal 100%. Do not use an ordinary hammer under any circumstances. Damage caused by this is not covered by the warranty or guarantee.
Before the first filtering process or after refilling, the undersize of the sand must be removed by backwashing several times until clear water emerges. This is particularly important when filling sand for the first time or refilling sand, as well as for sand that has already been in use for a long time.
When filling the tank, check that the sieve base and separator plate are correctly inserted and that they are not damaged. Before filling the tank with sand, pour about 20-30 cm of water into the tank and fill the sand slowly to avoid damage caused by the weight. Damaged sieve trays or separator plates must be replaced.
Further details can be found in the instructions for the filter system.
Fill the pump with water, loosen the transparent cover on the filter container (do not unscrew completely) to remove trapped air. Tighten the cover again when all air has escaped. Check all connections and hoses for leaks or holes. Retighten connections or hose clamps, seal with Teflon tape and replace the defective parts if necessary.
Depending on the grain size, the filter sand must be changed after three to five seasons.
Check your socket for power and test another socket if necessary.
Never run the pump without water, the pump may run dry and burn out.
Check the mains plug or the connection cable for damage.
Check the running time of the timer, if it is set.
Check the running time of the external timer, if you are using one.
Rust may have accumulated over the winter, which prevents the pump from starting or makes grinding noises when it is switched on. If the rust build-up is not too bad, this fault can be easily remedied. On most pumps, there is a small recess in the cover for ventilation, behind which there is a screw. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw slightly and spray it with lubricant (e.g. WD40). If the rust has not settled too much, the pump will work again.
Yes.
If you open the lever of the way valve valve during operation, the water will flow with pressure from all openings. The pressure drop may cause damage to the unit.
Running time of the sand filter system
Sand filter systems clean the pool water of a rather large swimming pool thoroughly and efficiently. With sand filter systems, quartz sand with a grain size of 0.7 mm to a maximum of 1.2 mm or Original Filter Balls from Steinbach can be used as the filter medium.
The basic rule is that the pool water should be circulated at least twice a day to ensure sufficient cleaning and filtration. How long this corresponds to the running time of the filter system depends on the performance as well as the size of the pool.
A small reminder: As a rule, the running time of the filter system is approximately 8 to 12 hours per day. Please note that the filter system should not run for 8 hours at a stretch, but the hours should ideally be spread out over a day.
However, you can calculate the appropriate filter running time for your pool quite easily: Multiply the water volume of your pool by 2 and divide this result by the capacity of your filter system. This will give you the hours required for optimum filtration.
Example: For a steel-walled pool with approximately 20,000 litres of water capacity, a total of 40,000 litres must be circulated per day (20,000 litres x 2-fold circulation). Divide the 40,000 litres by the capacity of the filter system, for example by 6600 litres per hour. This results in a value of 6 hours and this corresponds to the optimal daily filter running time.
Please note that you should extend the filter running time as well as the amount of circulation on hot days, as microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and the like find ideal growth conditions due to the high temperature. To prevent water turbidity and to keep the use of chemical pool care products as low as possible, extending the filter runtime is a simple measure.
Sand filter pump
Sand filter systems use a sand filter pump to pump contaminated pool water through a tank filled either with quartz sand or with Original Filter Balls from Steinbach every day and ensure filtered, clear bathing water.
The desired function is selected via a 6 or 7-way valve with the pressure-measuring manometer. A basic distinction is made between non-self-priming and self-priming pumps with pre-filter.
The filter pump is responsible for pumping the water to be filtered through the tank filled with sand or filter balls. A 6 or 7-way valve with a pressure-measuring manometer can easily be set to the desired function: Filter, Rinse, Circulate (circulation), Backwash, Closed, Drain and Winter setting.
Note
Sand filter systems and cartridge filters can be used at a water temperature up to a maximum of 35 degrees. Filter systems must not be used dry, but always with water.
The optimal location of the sand filter
When installing the filter system, make sure that there is a sufficient safety distance from the pool wall. If the pool is partially or completely sunken, it makes sense to place the filter system in a filter shaft, which should be directly connected to the pool.
If your filter system is installed in a filter shaft, it must be ensured that the shaft cannot be flooded. It is also important to ensure that the filter shaft is not airtight, as this can lead to damage due to the formation of condensation on the filter pump. Ideally, the filter system should not be installed above the water level.
The filter system must not be placed in a hollow or directly in the grass.
The right filter medium
Either quartz sand or the Original Filter Balls from Steinbach can be used as filter medium for sand filter systems / sand filter pumps.
The quartz sand is fire-dried, washed and available from Steinbach with a grain size of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm and 0.7 mm to 1.2 mm. The Filter Balls from Steinbach not only help you to filter the pool water properly and finely, but also save energy and are environmentally friendly.
They are non-toxic, 100 percent recyclable and impress with their long service life. It is possible to switch from sand to Filter Balls in a sand filter system at any time. The sand must first be removed and the container cleaned. Then the Filter Balls are placed in the container and the sand filter system can be used as usual.