Hayward W3S270T ProSeries Sand Filter, 27-Inch, Top-Mount

The filter it replaced was badly over its age of use, so I decided to tackle this project since no electrical skills were required. Watched a few youtube videos on cutting, and connecting pvc pipe , applying the purple primer and clear connector cements, and took on the job. The filter is working well, the pool is clear, and no sand was seen in the pool, which tells me I did not break any of the plastic water intakes I insgtalled inside the sand.

Great Filter. The only difficulty in installing it is getting the wet sand out of the old sand filter. A good shop fact is the ticket here & I found if you add a little water as you vacuum, the sand will not clump up & clog the shop vac. After you are able to remove it, it is easy to reinstall this one in its place. The sand filter has an easier to turn release valve for backwashing, etc. on top.

I had a DE filter and was really tired of replacing the filter grids, having to open up the filter regularly (every month or to) to clean the grids, and buying DE. Plus I guess the filter housing was getting old because despite twice replacing the big O ring between the housing halves, something always leaked especially when I upped the pressure to run the Polaris. This caused air to enter and water / DE to flow back into the pool It finally totally wouldn't stop leaking. I was really tired of messing with the whole setup. Anyway, I wanted something simpler, that didn't require as frequent maintenance and decided on this Hayward sand filter despite that I had read that sand filters supposedly don't filter as well. Best decision I ever made (except, I must say, marrying my wife who is sitting next to me)! By the time I installed it after 2 weeks of no filtering the pool was army green. Took a full 5 days of filtering, a couple of shocks and extra flocculent but now the pool looks great and I look forward to years of the minimal maintenance of a sand filter. This sand filter clears the water 99% as well as DE filter - just takes longer - but the end result is PERFECTLY fine. Product delivery was timely, the box was intact, all the parts were there, and installation was easy and straight forward even for a regular around the house handy man like me. This filter housing seems very sturdy and the multi-valve feels solid and of high quality. After putting in the sand, run in Rinse mode first to get fine sediment out. After filtering for a while then let things settle and vacuum the whole pool to get out the super fine sediment from the bottom the sand filter may not be getting, then the water will get even clearer. In short, I recommend this filter.

Well worth the money. I replaced a Hayward cartridge filter system. I was constantly cleaning filters and annually buying filters. I ran into several problems in the installation process. The sand filter comes with 1 1/2” ports , cartridge filter housing has 2” ports..you have two use close fittings in the installation or you have to much hanging which results in a lot of vibration. Also most PVC adaptors have a large shoulder on them that will foul filter housing clamp. Bad to discover after pvc glue has set up.

The last Hayward tank lasted 3 years. The last one split along the seam. This is the weak spot on this tank. The tank is exposed to the South Florida sun all day. Maybe that it why it split. this time I covered the tank. I wanted to buy a cover for the tank but could not find a tank cover in stores or online. Bought a 6' X 8',$4 blue tarp at Walmart and wrapped the tank with that and held it together with clothes pins. Hopefully this will help the tank last longer. Also the valve should be shaded as I had a valve split because of sun exposure. I made a shade out of a top from a chlorine tab bucket. I cut a hole in the middle and set it over the valve. that way I can take the cover off easily when I move the valve lever for back-washing.There was nothing wrong with my old valve, but you can't buy the tank without the valve. In order to use the new valve I would have had to cut off all my existing piping and install new piping. Didn't want to do that so I detached the old valve from the old tank and propped it up with a board while I removed the old tank and slid the new tank underneath. then attached the old valve to the new tank since the valves were identical. This saved my old piping and gave me a new valve to keep as backup.Also, I reused the existing sand. Didn't want to put 6, 50# bags of sand in my car and bring it home with all the loading and unloading involved. I've been using the tank for a week now and can not see any difference for using the old sand. Had to backwash about 4 times to get the old dirt out. You can get the sand out of the old tank by reaching in the upright tank and scooping it out with a small container which is backbreaking work, or you can turn the tank over on it's side and scoop it out with a small hoe right into a bucket and then dump the sand into the new tank.Three years ago I bought this same tank locally for $350 and had to find a way to get it home. With Amazon it was around $250 and it was delivered to my door. I saw this tank at other sellers online and they wanted $130 just for shipping.