Using a Nature 2 system with the BBB method

[PoolDoc]

You shouldn't have to cut *anything* to open the filter!

[tdkorson]

How do I get the top off without cutting the pvc pipes? They don't have a union. My intent was to cut the pipes and install a union.

Is it possible to loosen the top clamps and scoot the base out from under the controls and plumbing on top??

[PoolDoc]

My bad!

I'm sorry, I was confusing the S244T with the older bolted Hayward filter. Forget all the stupid stuff I said about that; I should have checked the model number. You still need to check the sand, but will -- as you knew -- have to cut pipes to check the sand in a top-mount filter like yours.

[tdkorson]

I opened the filter. What a mess. There was a huge channel from top to bottom 6-8" wide. Some of the sand was very hardened. No wonder no filtering was taking place. So now there is new sand, and the plumbing has couplers in it.

Pump will be running 24/7 for a while. In a day or two I hope to see marked improvement.

[PoolDoc]

Just FYI; often bad sand means you've been using things the pool store sold you that you would have been better off leaving in the pool store!

[tdkorson]

yes, in my case, 17 years of junk sold by the the pool company. I know better now. I'll let you know how the filtering goes now that the filter is working correctly.

[PoolDoc]

Good luck!