When vacuuming your pool with a sand filter, the correct setting on your multiport valve depends on the amount of debris you are removing. For light vacuuming, you can use the Filter setting. For heavy vacuuming with a significant amount of debris, the Waste setting is recommended.
Choosing the Right Sand Filter Setting for Vacuuming
Selecting the appropriate setting on your sand filter's multiport valve is crucial for efficient and effective pool vacuuming. The primary goal is to remove debris from the pool water, but how that water is handled after vacuuming determines the best setting.
The multiport valve typically has several settings: Filter, Backwash, Rinse, Waste, Recirculate, and Closed. For vacuuming, the main settings to consider are Filter and Waste.
Setting to "Filter"
- When to Use: This setting is suitable for routine, light vacuuming where you expect to pick up only small amounts of fine debris.
- How it Works: When set to Filter, water is drawn from the pool, passes through the vacuum head and hose, goes into the filter tank where sand traps the debris, and then clean water is returned to the pool.
- Benefit: You conserve water because the vacuumed water is filtered and returned to the pool.
As referenced, "For light vacuuming, you can leave your multiport valve filter set to “Filter.”" This is the default mode for normal filtration and can handle minor debris loads during vacuuming.
Setting to "Waste"
- When to Use: This setting is essential for vacuuming large amounts of debris, such as significant algae blooms, leaves, sand, or after a storm.
- How it Works: When set to Waste, water is drawn from the pool, passes through the vacuum hose, goes through the filter tank (but bypasses the sand), and is directed out through the waste port, typically leading to a drain or designated waste area.
- Benefit: This setting prevents large amounts of debris from clogging your sand filter bed, which can reduce its effectiveness and require immediate backwashing. It also helps remove fine particles during algae clean-up that might otherwise pass through the filter.
- Drawback: You will lose a significant amount of pool water, as it is not returned to the pool.
According to the reference, "For bigger jobs and larger amounts of debris, set your filter system to the “Waste” setting, which does sends the water down the drain, rather than through the filter."
Summary Table
Here's a quick overview of the recommended settings:
| Vacuuming Task | Recommended Multiport Setting | Water Handling | Use Case Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Vacuuming | Filter | Filtered and returned | Routine cleaning, small debris |
| Heavy Vacuuming | Waste | Sent to drain/waste port | Algae clean-up, large debris load, post-storm |
Practical Considerations
- Water Level: When using the Waste setting, monitor your pool's water level as it will drop. Have a hose ready to add water if needed.
- Filter Pressure: If vacuuming on the Filter setting and you notice your filter pressure rising rapidly, stop and switch to the Waste setting.
- Priming: Ensure your vacuum hose and pump are properly primed before starting to avoid straining the pump.
- Slow and Steady: Regardless of the setting, vacuum slowly to avoid stirring up debris from the pool floor.
Choosing between Filter and Waste allows you to vacuum effectively while managing the impact on your filter system and water level.
