How much sand does a Hayward S210T take?
The Hayward ProSeries S210T takes 200 pounds of #20 silica pool filter sand, which is 4 bags of 50 pounds.
How to work it out
- Hayward ProSeries S210T / S210T2: 200 lb (91 kg) of #20 silica sand (Hayward ProSeries manual)
- 200 lb ÷ 50 lb per bag = 4 → 4 bags
The S210T sits in the middle of Hayward’s range: a 21 in tank that turns up on large above-ground pools and smaller inground ones. The S210T2 version has a 2 in valve and the same sand charge.
Adjust for your project
- Bags of 50 lb (22.7 kg)
- 4 bags
- Filter area
- 2.2 sq ft
- Design flow
- 44 gpm (167 L/min)
- Where the number comes from
- Hayward ProSeries manual
- Hayward’s Q&A says it recommends only filter sand in its filters, so glass is not listed here for Hayward models.
- Use the grade the label calls for — #20 silica pool filter sand (about 0.45–0.55 mm) for every model here. Play sand and builder’s sand are the wrong size and will pass through the laterals or clog the bed.
Sand for popular filters
| Model | Filter sand (#20 silica) | Bags of 50 lb (22.7 kg) | Design flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hayward S144T | 50 lb | 1 bag | 25 gpm (95 L/min) |
| Hayward S166T | 100 lb | 2 bags | 30 gpm (114 L/min) |
| Hayward S180T | 150 lb | 3 bags | 35 gpm (132 L/min) |
| Hayward S210T | 200 lb | 4 bags | 44 gpm (167 L/min) |
| Hayward S244T | 300 lb | 6 bags | 62 gpm (235 L/min) |
| Pentair Triton II TR40 | 175 lb | 4 bags | 38 gpm (144 L/min) |
| Pentair Triton II TR60 | 325 lb | 7 bags | 63 gpm (238 L/min) |
| Pentair Sand Dollar SD60 | 250 lb | 5 bags | 60 gpm (227 L/min) |
| Intex SX2100 | 50 lb | 1 bag | 1,600 gal per hour system flow (about 27 gpm) |
| Intex SX2800 | 77 lb | 2 bags | 2,150 gal per hour system flow (about 36 gpm) |
Re-sanding an S210T
The manual lists 200 lb (90 kg) of No. 20 silica, so four 50 lb bags exactly. Pour them into a tank that is already about half full of water, with the centre pipe capped, and stop if the sand comes within 10 in of the top.
- Flow. Hayward rates the S210T at 44 gpm, from 2.2 sq ft of sand bed. It handles pump flows up to 44 gpm, or about 29 gpm with DOE’s optional 50% efficiency margin.
- Pool size. That 29 gpm is an 8-hour turnover of roughly 14,000 gallons, which is why the S210T is a common pick for 24 ft round above-ground pools.
- Pressure. Note the clean-filter pressure after the first backwash and rinse. Hayward says to backwash when it climbs 8–10 psi above that.
- S210T vs S220T. The 22 in S220T takes 250 lb for 2.6 sq ft; the two are not interchangeable on sand.
For a 24 ft round pool, the pump side is on what size pump and sand filter for a 24 ft above-ground pool. Neighbouring tanks: how much sand for a Hayward S166T and how much sand a Hayward S244T takes.
Different size? Use the full Pool Filter Sand Calculator.
What you’ll need
- Pool filter sand (#20 silica, 50 lb)Budget price
The grade most sand filters are designed for (about 0.45–0.55 mm). Check your filter’s label for the exact amount.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Sand filter (top-mount)Premium price
Simple and durable. Size by flow: the filter’s rated maximum should be at or above your pump’s flow.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Above-ground pool pumpMid-range price
Sized for above-ground plumbing and filters. Match the flow to the filter’s rated maximum.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to products are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep these calculators free.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand for a Hayward S220T?
250 pounds, or 5 bags of 50 pounds, for 2.6 sq ft of filter area.
How much sand does a Hayward S210T2 take?
The same as the S210T: 200 lb, 4 bags of 50 lb.
Other common sizes
- How much sand a Hayward S244T takes — 300 lb
- How much sand for a Hayward S166T — 100 lb
- How much sand an Intex SX2800 takes — 77 lb
- How much sand for an Intex SX2100 — 50 lb
Sources
- Hayward ProSeries high-rate sand filter manual (IS210TS Rev A) (opens in a new tab) — Filter area and pounds of sand for S144T to S360T2; sand 0.45–0.55 mm, “No. 20 Silica Pool”; cap the internal pipe, fill the tank about half with water, keep sand at least 10 in below the top; backwash at 8–10 psi over clean pressure.
- Hayward — ProSeries 16 in sand filter (S166T) product page (opens in a new tab) — “This filter requires 100 lbs of #20 silica pool filter sand”; in its Q&A Hayward recommends only filter sand in its filters.
- Hayward ProSeries sand filter brochure (2011) (opens in a new tab) — Design flows based on 20 gpm per sq ft: S180T 35, S210T 44, S220T 52, S244T 62, S270T 74 gpm.
- Hayward ProSeries above-ground sand filter sell sheet (2025) (opens in a new tab) — Design flows S144T 25 and S166T 30 gpm.
- Pentair Triton II sand filter brochure (opens in a new tab) — Filter area, tank diameter, pounds of standard #20 silica sand and design flow for TR40 to TR140.
- Pentair Sand Dollar sand filter brochure (2020) (opens in a new tab) — Filter area, pounds of sand and flow for SD35 to SD80. An older (2014) brochure lists 200 lb for the SD60.
- Intex — Krystal Clear sand filter pumps (product pages for SX1500, SX2100, SX2800, SX3000) (opens in a new tab) — Tank size, #20 silica sand capacity, glass media capacity, system flow rate and maximum pool size for each model.