200lbs sand in a 250lb filter

[CarlD]

I'm having no problems in the 5th year of my sand--in fact it's filtering better than ever.

[traceyb]

Oh how nice it is to hear you all say this. I can only imagine how much of a pain in the batoootie it is to CHANGE the sand. The pool is new as of 7.2006, so I suppose I have several years yet eh? I just heard that it's good to change it about every 2-3 years so the filter job is better. A friend of mine stated that in their oval AG the water gets cloudy, they change the sand and waa laa. However, I don't want to get in the situation where the pool is open for the season THEN have to change sand. THAT could make matters no fun.

So, when it IS time to change is a shop vac the best way to get that out? I hear your not supposed to "roll" the filter for risk you might break a "lateral head"