WormFarmer Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 (edited) I have a Sta-Rite Cristal-Flo High Rate Sand Filter which has been in use for 7 years, so it is time to remove the sand and replace with sand or Zelbrite (decision not made yet). The filter manual tells me to remove sand from the filter through the drain at the bottom of the tank. The hole at the top of the tank with the control valve removed is really too small to use to scoop out the sand. The manual, see attached copy of relevant section, explains that there is a slotted lateral tube inside the drain valve that needs to be removed to enable the sand to be flushed out. Now here's the problem - I am totally unable to remove this slotted lateral tube and the manual gives no hint as to how it can be removed. Has anyone else had this problem who can tell me how to extract this slotted lateral from inside the drain? Filter Drain Instructions.docx Edited May 21, 2017 by WormFarmer Forgot attachment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grollies Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Just open the drain, remove the multiport valve on the top and wash the sand out with a hose? Remove the laterals after and give everything a thorough clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WormFarmer Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 Grollies, No, that doesn't work. There is what they call a drain lateral inside the drain valve that stops sand running out if you only want to drain water. To flush out the sand it is necessary to remove the lateral from inside the drain, as shown on the data sheet I attached to my original post. I cannot get this drain lateral out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grollies Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 2 hours ago, WormFarmer said: Grollies, No, that doesn't work. There is what they call a drain lateral inside the drain valve that stops sand running out if you only want to drain water. To flush out the sand it is necessary to remove the lateral from inside the drain, as shown on the data sheet I attached to my original post. I cannot get this drain lateral out. Can't open docx files on my mobile but has a look online, see what you mean, drain lateral sits inside drain cap thread. Try a welding rod or thick wire to hook up inside the lateral and give it a tug. Been in there 7 years it is probably binding to the drain. Have you tried dislodging it by tapping it gently upwards first? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEVUP Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Or you could buy a wet & dry Vac for maybe 3000 bht also do any other chores with it IE : clean fish ponds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WormFarmer Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 18 hours ago, grollies said: Have you tried dislodging it by tapping it gently upwards first? I was beginning to consider something even more drastic, like using a steel rod to hammer it up inside the tank and retrieving it later once all the sand is out, then buying a replacement drain lateral - but I am hoping not to have to do that. 12 hours ago, BEVUP said: Or you could buy a wet & dry Vac for maybe 3000 bht also do any other chores with it IE : clean fish ponds That is certainly one good idea, then pushing out the lateral from inside to let me flush out the last of the sand. It would also save a lot of mess caused by flushing 270kg sand out onto the floor of my pump room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grollies Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Go with @BEVUP idea. BTW, nice website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WormFarmer Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 2 hours ago, grollies said: Go with @BEVUP idea. BTW, nice website. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sappersrest Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 21 hours ago, BEVUP said: Or you could buy a wet & dry Vac for maybe 3000 bht also do any other chores with it IE : clean fish ponds You would need an industrial type vac. Welcome to my world if you can't get an industrial vac or remove the drain lateral remove the multiport valve, disconnect the header pipe usually a push fit with a self tapping screw , then fish the sand out wit a large soup ladleo r such like. I am not joking. Try taking 8 tonne out of a filter with a shovel and bucket??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEVUP Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 1 hour ago, sappersrest said: You would need an industrial type vac. Welcome to my world if you can't get an industrial vac or remove the drain lateral remove the multiport valve, disconnect the header pipe usually a push fit with a self tapping screw , then fish the sand out wit a large soup ladleo r such like. I am not joking. Try taking 8 tonne out of a filter with a shovel and bucket??? Not really First of all get a poker to loosen the sand , disconnect all the top & take the valve off - loosen sand & whilst vacuming maintain the water up to make it easier to extract They come in different watts & volume sizes I have an Electrolux 20 ltr& I think it's 1800 wt Does a fine job on the fish pond as i can see the mud & tiny snail shells Also no problem with my little wading pool (my filter pump takes out to much water ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WormFarmer Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 15 hours ago, sappersrest said: remove the multiport valve, disconnect the header pipe usually a push fit with a self tapping screw , then fish the sand out wit a large soup ladleo r such like. Hello sapper, I had already tried that but the space between the vertical pipe in the tank and the edge of the hole is only 5cm. Using a ladle I can just about scrape the top of the sand but the gap is too small to allow me to reach down any further. See attached photos. 13 hours ago, BEVUP said: Not really First of all get a poker to loosen the sand , disconnect all the top & take the valve off - loosen sand & whilst vacuming maintain the water up to make it easier to extract They come in different watts & volume sizes I have an Electrolux 20 ltr& I think it's 1800 wt Does a fine job on the fish pond as i can see the mud & tiny snail shells Also no problem with my little wading pool (my filter pump takes out to much water ) Going to shop around locally to see if I can find such a wet and dry vacuum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grollies Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 If you cant find one and still stuck the only other thing I can suggest is to plumb your pool pump to the drain and flush out bottom through to the top. Make a helluva mess though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WormFarmer Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 Cracked it! I screwed a 3 inch long No. 10 wood-screw up into the closed end of the drain lateral (it's only plastic). That gave me something to then lever out using a claw hammer. No real damage to the drain lateral, just a small hole in the end. All the sand is out now. Thanks for all the ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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