will play sand work in a pool filter

Will Play Sand Work in a Pool Filter?

Pool filters are an essential component for keeping your pool clean and hygienic. They help remove debris, dirt, and pollutants from the water, ensuring that it stays clear and healthy. But with so many types of pool filters available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. One question that often arises is whether play sand can be used as a substitute for regular pool filter sand. In this article, we will explore this question in detail.

Understanding Pool Filter Sand

Before we dive into the topic of using play sand in a pool filter, it's essential to understand what pool filter sand is and how it works. Pool filter sand is a specially graded, high-density sand that is used to filter out small debris and contaminants. The grains of sand are chosen to be a specific size and shape, ensuring that they have enough surface area to capture particles without clogging the filter bed.

Why Use Pool Filter Sand?

As we mentioned earlier, pool filter sand is designed to filter out small debris particles from pool water effectively. Fine debris such as algae, pollen, and small insects are filtered out right at the beginning of the filtration process. It also keeps contaminants from getting into the filtration system and clogging the pool pump.

Can Play Sand Be Used in a Pool Filter?

The question on many people's minds is whether play sand can be used in a pool filter as a cheaper alternative to pool filter sand. Play sand is cheaper and more readily available than pool filter sand, making it an attractive option for pool owners on a budget. However, there are some significant differences between play sand and pool filter sand that make them unsuitable for switching out.

Blacklisted types of sand

The answer is no. Any type of sand that's not specifically designed for pool filtration won´t work correctly. Play sand, for example, is not graded, washed, or sterilized the way pool filter sand is. Moreover, play sand can contain impurities, clay, or other contaminants that can clog the pool filter and cause it to malfunction. It's also not designed to handle high water pressure, which is essential for pool filtration.

What are the Potential Problems You Might Encounter?

When you use regular sand or play sand instead of the dedicated filter sand, you might experience multiple issues like:

- A clogged filter bed. This means you might change the filter too frequently, which is exhausting and time-consuming.

- A broken pool pump. Sand that does not have the adequate size and shape will typically back up into the filtration system and lead to serious mechanical issues.

- Reduced pool performance. If your filter bed becomes clogged and your pump needs frequent maintenance, your pool's performance will lower down. Debris in the water will stay there as the filters will not be able to clean it.

Potential Hazards to Human Health

Using sand other than pool filter sand in the pool can have serious health implications. Play sand contains silica, which is known to cause lung cancer if inhaled over a prolonged period. Crystalline silica used in play sand is very fine and can be easily inhaled, making it a significant health risk. Regular pool filter sand does not contain silica and is therefore safe for use in pool filtration systems.

Conclusion

To conclude, play sand should not be used as a substitute for pool filter sand. Even though it may seem like an attractive option due to its lower cost and easy availability, it can do more harm than good. It's designed for different applications and not appropriate for pool filtration systems. It's important to keep in mind that using non-dedicated sand in a pool can lead to serious mechanical problems, health risks, and reduce pool performance. Always use the appropriate pool filter sand for your pool filtration system to ensure its optimal performance, and the long-term integrity of the system.