Small Residential Sand Filters

Small Residential Sand Filters

4 products

  • -35% Off
    W3S180T92S Hayward 18" Proseries W/ 1 Hp Pflo

    W3S180T92S Hayward 18" Proseries W/ 1 Hp Pflo

    W3S180T92S Hayward 18" Proseries W/ 1 Hp Pflo

    Hayward

    W3S180T92S
    Sale Price Value: 0 Sale Price Number: 0 Website Price Value: 0 Website Price Number: 0 All Metafields: {"mpn":"W3S180T92S","saleprice":"0","warehouselocations":"Bloomfield, CT | Murray, UT"}
    $869.40
    $1,346.10 $869.40
    Liquid error (snippets/card-product line 647): comparison of String with 0 failed
  • -35% Off
    W3S210T Hayward 20" Proseries Sand Filter Only

    W3S210T Hayward 20" Proseries Sand Filter Only

    W3S210T Hayward 20" Proseries Sand Filter Only

    Hayward

    W3S210T
    Sale Price Value: 0 Sale Price Number: 0 Website Price Value: 0 Website Price Number: 0 All Metafields: {"mpn":"W3S210T","warehouselocations":"Bloomfield, CT | Murray, UT"}
    $613.00
    $950.50 $613.00
  • -37% Off
    Sand Filter, Carvin Laser L192C-7C, Top Mt, 19", 1-1/2" Valve

    Sand Filter, Carvin Laser L192C-7C, Top Mt, 19", 1-1/2" Valve

    Sand Filter, Carvin Laser L192C-7C, Top Mt, 19", 1-1/2" Valve

    Carvin

    94089192
    Sale Price Value: 0 Sale Price Number: 0 Website Price Value: 0 Website Price Number: 0 All Metafields: {"bundle":"gid:\/\/shopify\/Metaobject\/110377533505","discontinued":false,"mpn":"94089192","saleprice":"0","warehouselocations":"Memphis, TN | Tucson, AZ","warranty":"12 Months"}
    $336.60
    $538.60 $336.60
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  • -35% Off
    W3S210T93S Hayward 20" Proseries W/ 11/2 Hp Pflo

    W3S210T93S Hayward 20" Proseries W/ 11/2 Hp Pflo

    W3S210T93S Hayward 20" Proseries W/ 11/2 Hp Pflo

    Hayward

    W3S210T93S
    Sale Price Value: 0 Sale Price Number: 0 Website Price Value: 96300 Website Price Number: 96300 All Metafields: {"mpn":"W3S210T93S","saleprice":"0","warehouselocations":"Bloomfield, CT | Murray, UT","websiteprice":"963"}
    $943.20
    $1,459.90 $943.20
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Small Residential Sand Filters

Filter your pool water effectively with small residential sand filters from Hayward ProSeries and Carvin Laser — 18\" to 21\" top-mount sand filters for above-ground and smaller inground pools. PST Pool Supplies stocks sand filter systems and filter-only units starting from $333.10.

Sand filtration remains the most widely used pool filtration method for residential pools — the filter tank contains a bed of #20 silica sand that traps debris and particles as water passes through, then backwashes clean when pressure builds. This collection covers the right size range for above-ground pools and smaller inground installations where oversized commercial filters would be unnecessary and expensive. The Hayward ProSeries 18\" Sand Filter System (W3S180T92S, $865.90) pairs the 18\" filter tank with a 1hp PowerFlo pump — a complete, matched system for above-ground pools up to approximately 15,000 gallons. The Hayward ProSeries 20\" Sand Filter System (W3S210T93S, $939.60) bundles the 20\" tank with a 1.5hp PowerFlo pump for larger above-ground pools up to 24,000 gallons. For those needing a filter tank only — to pair with an existing pump or replace a failed tank — the Hayward W3S210T 20\" ProSeries Filter ($609.50) provides the top-mount tank without pump. The Carvin Laser L192C-7C (19\", $333.10) is the most economical option, compatible with both above-ground and smaller inground installations, equipped with a 7-position dial valve with integrated sight glass, pressure gauge, and automatic air relief.

All units in this collection use top-mount multiport valves — the valve sits on top of the filter tank and provides the 6–7 positions needed for filter operation: Filter, Backwash, Rinse, Recirculate, Waste, and Closed. The Hayward ProSeries tanks use Hayward's proven corrosion-proof resin construction; the Carvin features non-corrosive resin clamp construction with side-slotted laterals for even water distribution through the sand bed. Sand replacement is required every 5–7 years; the filter continues to operate effectively between sand changes with regular backwashing (when pressure rises 8–10 psi above clean baseline).

Shop small residential sand filters at PST Pool Supplies and choose the filter size and configuration that matches your pool's volume and your equipment preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a sand filter work and how do I know when to backwash?
Sand filters work by forcing pool water down through a bed of #20 silica sand — debris and particles are trapped in the sand grain matrix as water passes through, and clean filtered water exits through the laterals at the bottom of the tank and returns to the pool. Over time, trapped debris accumulates in the sand bed, increasing flow resistance and reducing filtration efficiency. When to backwash: monitor the filter pressure gauge on the multiport valve. (1) Establish a baseline — note the pressure reading immediately after a backwash and rinse cycle with clean sand. This is your clean operating pressure. (2) Backwash when pressure rises 8–10 psi above baseline — this indicates the sand bed is loaded with debris and flow is restricted. Do not wait longer; a severely loaded filter reduces circulation and can channel (water finds paths of least resistance through the sand rather than filtering evenly). (3) Backwash procedure: turn off the pump → turn the multiport valve handle to Backwash → run the pump for 2–3 minutes until the sight glass (Carvin L192C-7C has this built in) runs clear → turn off pump → turn valve to Rinse → run 30 seconds to reseat the sand → turn off pump → return to Filter → restart pump. Note: backwashing too frequently is wasteful (sends pool water to waste) and is not beneficial — only backwash when the pressure gauge tells you to.
What is the difference between a sand filter system and a filter-only unit?
This collection offers both options, and the right choice depends on what you already have: Sand filter systems (Hayward W3S180T92S at $865.90 and W3S210T93S at $939.60) are complete matched packages — the filter tank and a pump are sold together, pre-matched for compatibility. Advantages: (1) The pump horsepower is sized by the manufacturer to match the filter's flow rate capacity. (2) Single purchase covers both major components. (3) Ideal for new pool setups or complete equipment replacement where both pump and filter need replacing simultaneously. Filter-only units (Hayward W3S210T at $609.50 and Carvin L192C-7C at $333.10) are the tank and valve without a pump. Use these when: (1) Your existing pump is in good condition and only the filter tank needs replacement. (2) You prefer to select your own pump separately — perhaps a variable speed pump not included in the system packages. (3) Budget constraints favor spreading purchases across two buying cycles. Sizing the filter to an existing pump: the filter's flow rate rating (GPM) must exceed the pump's maximum flow output. The Hayward 20" ProSeries handles up to ~80 GPM; the Carvin 19" L192C-7C handles up to ~60 GPM. Verify your pump's GPM rating at operating head before selecting a filter-only unit to ensure the tank is not undersized.
How often do I need to replace the sand in a sand filter?
Sand filter media typically needs replacement every 5–7 years for residential pools under normal use. Signs that sand replacement is overdue: (1) Poor water clarity despite normal chemical balance and regular backwashing — old sand loses its angular texture through years of use, and rounded grains don't trap fine particles as effectively as sharp-edged new sand. (2) Sand returning to the pool — if you see sand on the pool floor near the return jets, a lateral inside the filter tank may be cracked. Sand blowing back typically indicates a broken lateral, not just old sand — inspect before replacing sand. (3) Channeling — water finds paths through the sand bed without filtering; this causes pressure to stay low even with dirty water, rather than rising as it should. (4) Frequent backwash need — if the filter pressure rises unusually quickly (within days of backwashing), the sand may be fouled with oils, scale, or fine silt that backwashing can't remove. Sand replacement procedure: shut off pump and close valves → remove the multiport valve (mark it for reassembly orientation) → scoop out the old sand carefully to avoid damaging the laterals → rinse the tank interior → refill with new #20 silica sand to the level specified in your filter manual (never overfill — typically 60–75% full) → reassemble the valve → run a full backwash and rinse cycle before returning to filter mode. Use only #20 silica filter sand (0.45–0.55mm); play sand, masonry sand, and pool filter alternatives like ZeoSand require different fill levels.
Can the Carvin Laser L192C-7C be used with an inground pool?
Yes — the Carvin Laser L192C-7C is explicitly rated for both above-ground and inground pool installations, making it one of the more versatile options in this collection at $333.10. However, several compatibility considerations apply to inground use: Flow rate capacity: the 19" L192C-7C has a maximum flow rate of approximately 55–60 GPM. This is adequate for inground pools up to approximately 25,000–30,000 gallons when paired with an appropriately sized pump. Larger inground pools will require a larger filter tank (21" or larger). Plumbing connections: the 7-position dial valve uses 1-1/2" connections. Most inground pool plumbing uses 2" pipe — verify your equipment pad plumbing size before ordering. A 1-1/2" filter on 2" plumbing requires reducers at the connections, which is acceptable but creates minor flow restriction. Pump compatibility for inground use: inground pool pumps (below-water-level installation) differ from above-ground pumps — ensure the pump paired with the L192C-7C is rated for inground use if your equipment pad is at or below pool water level. Advantages for smaller inground pools: the Carvin's price point ($333.10 filter only) makes it an attractive option for smaller inground pools (10,000–20,000 gallons) where a full-size inground filter system would be oversized and unnecessarily expensive. The non-corrosive resin construction and 7-way valve with automatic air relief are appropriate for inground service demands.