New sand?

[jaybee]

In the past I've changed the sand in my filter every year. Do I need to do this? I have not used a flocculent or other agent that I'd expect to "gum up" the filter medium since it was changed last year.

[Watermom]

No, it is unnecessary. Actually, sand that is a little dirty filters better than totally clean sand. The same sand has been in my filter since 2001 and is still filtering just fine. I expect there are a lot of other people who have sand that is much older than that.