Hayward S244T ProSeries Sand Filter, 24-Inch, Top-Mount

I had a DE filter and was really tired of replacing the filter grids, having to open up the filter regularly (every month or to) to clean the grids, and buying DE. Plus I guess the filter housing was getting old because despite twice replacing the big O ring between the housing halves, something always leaked especially when I upped the pressure to run the Polaris. This caused air to enter and water / DE to flow back into the pool It finally totally wouldn't stop leaking. I was really tired of messing with the whole setup. Anyway, I wanted something simpler, that didn't require as frequent maintenance and decided on this Hayward sand filter despite that I had read that sand filters supposedly don't filter as well. Best decision I ever made (except, I must say, marrying my wife who is sitting next to me)! By the time I installed it after 2 weeks of no filtering the pool was army green. Took a full 5 days of filtering, a couple of shocks and extra flocculent but now the pool looks great and I look forward to years of the minimal maintenance of a sand filter. This sand filter clears the water 99% as well as DE filter - just takes longer - but the end result is PERFECTLY fine. Product delivery was timely, the box was intact, all the parts were there, and installation was easy and straight forward even for a regular around the house handy man like me. This filter housing seems very sturdy and the multi-valve feels solid and of high quality. After putting in the sand, run in Rinse mode first to get fine sediment out. After filtering for a while then let things settle and vacuum the whole pool to get out the super fine sediment from the bottom the sand filter may not be getting, then the water will get even clearer. In short, I recommend this filter.

I purchased this model Hayward S244T ProSeries 24" as an exact replacement for the previous filter on my pool, which was the exact same model. The only apparent difference between my new filter and the older version is the new one has off-set valves whereas the old S244T the valves where directly one above the other. Pool: 20 feet x 40 feet in-ground pool with a deep end (approx 40,000 gallons). Pump was not replaced and is 1.5 hp I used 4 bags of ZeoSand Alternative Pool Sand Filter Media - 50 Pound bags to fill the filter with sand. ZeoSand states that 50 lbs of ZeoSand is equal to 100 lb of regular pool sand, put it took 200 lb to fill. The Hayward S244T required 300 lb of regular pool filter sand to fill to correct level. I purchased the Hayward S244T in July and it kept my pool clean for the rest of the summer. Since it was replacing an older filter that was the same model, installation was very easy. It even came with a cardboard funnel (referred to as a sand shield in the manual) to use to pour the sand into the filter without spilling any sand or getting in the internal pipe (lateral assembly). So far I have been very happy with how clean the pool has been since installing my new Hayward S244T. Not sure how long the previous owners had the old Hayward S244T for, but I believe it was for 20+ years.

If you need a new sand filter and don"t want to spend a lot of money get this one. My wife and i spent months looking at new filters. DE,sand and multiple cartridge filters.All the pool stores in my town wanted $600 to $1000 for a pump installed. we were very skeptical on this filter because of its price $290.00 shipped to our door. Are old filter was a cartridge filter and would have a lot of blow by of dirt when the pool bottom had a little dirt on it. This filter has none! Are pool was swamp green when we started 2 months ago. This filter took everything out. All the dead waste, dirt, and what ever else was in there in only 2 days. 5 months we did nothing to the pool and 2 days later perfect water. We installed the filter with basic household tools (saw and sandpaper ) and basic pluming skills. We purchased all the piping and sand at homedepot for $50 dollars. And installation only took 2 hours. The instructions are really simply. And the sight glass for back washing the filter is awesome! No running out to the end of the hose to see if the water is clean all you do is watch the glass to see. I only wish I would have purchased this filter last year. Hayward company has earned my respect for building a great filter and saving my summer to come.

The last Hayward tank lasted 3 years. The last one split along the seam. This is the weak spot on this tank. The tank is exposed to the South Florida sun all day. Maybe that it why it split. this time I covered the tank. I wanted to buy a cover for the tank but could not find a tank cover in stores or online. Bought a 6' X 8',$4 blue tarp at Walmart and wrapped the tank with that and held it together with clothes pins. Hopefully this will help the tank last longer. Also the valve should be shaded as I had a valve split because of sun exposure. I made a shade out of a top from a chlorine tab bucket. I cut a hole in the middle and set it over the valve. that way I can take the cover off easily when I move the valve lever for back-washing. There was nothing wrong with my old valve, but you can't buy the tank without the valve. In order to use the new valve I would have had to cut off all my existing piping and install new piping. Didn't want to do that so I detached the old valve from the old tank and propped it up with a board while I removed the old tank and slid the new tank underneath. then attached the old valve to the new tank since the valves were identical. This saved my old piping and gave me a new valve to keep as backup. Also, I reused the existing sand. Didn't want to put 6, 50# bags of sand in my car and bring it home with all the loading and unloading involved. I've been using the tank for a week now and can not see any difference for using the old sand. Had to backwash about 4 times to get the old dirt out. You can get the sand out of the old tank by reaching in the upright tank and scooping it out with a small container which is backbreaking work, or you can turn the tank over on it's side and scoop it out with a small hoe right into a bucket and then dump the sand into the new tank. Three years ago I bought this same tank locally for $350 and had to find a way to get it home. With Amazon it was around $250 and it was delivered to my door. I saw this tank at other sellers online and they wanted $130 just for shipping.

Works perfect

We have a 16x40 inground fiberglass pool with a deep end. We bought this sand filter to replace a cartridge filter that wasn't even 4 years old yet, but making a LOT of work for me. I was constantly having to lug out the big cartridge, haul it to the grass and hose it down. If I didn't stay on this task religiously (once a week), the pool would first turn cloudy, then go green with almost no warning. I can not believe how crystal clear my pool is and how much EASIER maintenance has become with our new sand filter. PROS: Backwashing is a very simple task. Additionally, we had our installer add a hose/pipe that goes under ground and then back up and out to spray the backwash to eliminate one step of attaching a hose. Between cutting down the time I spend attending to the filter and also the results I see in the pool, the difference between this sand filter and our cartrdge filter is remarkable. We have a sparkling clean pool with much less work involved in maintaining it. CONS: It was not fun investing in a brand new filter when our "old" one was less than 4 years old, but it was totally worth it...and has nothing to do with my new product or its performance....just the only bummer I could think of! WOULD I BUY AGAIN? Without a doubt! I stalled for a few years just because I couldn't see reinvesting in something after such a short time. However, I think this new filter will actually pay for itself after it's first summer or two of use due to the savings we will be getting from a much more efficient filtering system and putting less work on my pump. I could not be more pleased with this purchase. I've included pictures that show my setup. SEPTEMBER 7th (Labor Day) AMMENDMENT: Now that we have reached the end of our first full summer with this filter, I can confidently say this purchase was an excellent decision as far as our pool is concerned. In the 4 years of owning our pool, it has never been so clean AND required significantly less maintenance and attention than years past. There was only one super hot week where I was overdue for a shock and the pool teased me with a bit of cloudiness that, in years past, led to an angry, green pool (like I said, that was only due to my own laziness since I've been so spoiled with this new filter). I super shocked it that night to find a perfectly clear pool again in the morning. Final thoughts: I would not hesitate for a second to buy this filter all over again.

Great filter. I installed pools for over 20 years, and now only do "friend repairs". This is the filter I have my friends order, and Amazon price is as good as it gets. YOU MUST fill the tank half full of water, before you add the sand!!!! And cover the tube hole by stuffing a rag in it, or use duct tape. Have someone center the tube in the filter and hold it in place while you add about 3 50 lb bags of sand. Then they can move their hand, add the rest of the sand (300 lbs) Failure to do this could result in the breakage of the "spokes" in the bottom of the tank. You need to let the first couple of bags of sand kinda sink into place between the mandrels (spokes). They are fragile, and if broken, sand will escape to the pool!! Couple of points. Hayward has increased repair cost on multipart valve, by redesigning the valve. Used to buy a 8.00 spoke gasket, and repair, now have to buy a 60.00 complete assembly. Combat this by taking the screws out of the valve body in the spring, and applying a silicone grease on the service of the valves rubber runners. They had a problem with the winter drain, for years, but have solved that by changing the drain cap design. Good filter..

My old metal pool sand filter developed a leak and the replacement cost for it was well over $600. I found the Hayward Pro-Series 24" filter on Amazon for about half that price. Most of the reviews I found were positive. Only one was very negative and may have been caused by an installation problem. One dealt with the packaging, another one dealt with a missing valve. I decided to order the filter and was shocked when it arrived four days before the expected date. The packaging was adequate for reasonable handing, there was no damage. All the parts were there and in good shape. Installation was expected to be a problem since my old filter had a side-mount valve and this one was a top-mount type. It turned out to be a non-issue thanks to the great installation manual, a little planning, and PVC pipe fittings from the local hardware store. It was filled with the recommended sand and started up following the directions in the manual. Everything worked okay and the pressure was normal and equal to the pressure on my old filter. Only had two minor leaks that were soved by tightening the pipe fittings about 1/4 turn. I'm totally happy with the entire experience.

Perfect! Easy to install . We have a crystal clear water since we installed it.

Exactly as advertised. Exact replacement for 16 year old unit. Totally met my expectations.

Exact replacement. As advertised. Delivery was prompt and as stated.