How much sand does a Hayward S244T take?
The Hayward ProSeries S244T takes 300 pounds of #20 silica pool filter sand, which is 6 bags of 50 pounds.
How to work it out
- Hayward ProSeries S244T / S244T2: 300 lb (136 kg) of #20 silica sand (Hayward ProSeries manual)
- 300 lb ÷ 50 lb per bag = 6 → 6 bags
The S244T is Hayward’s 24 in top-mount sand filter, which, with DOE’s 50% filter margin, suits inground pools up to about 20,000 gallons on an 8-hour turnover. The S244T2 is the same tank with a 2 in valve, and it takes the same sand.
Adjust for your project
- Bags of 50 lb (22.7 kg)
- 6 bags
- Filter area
- 3.1 sq ft
- Design flow
- 62 gpm (235 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) |
Filling an S244T
Hayward’s manual gives 300 lb (135 kg) of 0.45–0.55 mm sand, which it calls No. 20 Silica Pool. That is six 50 lb bags with nothing left over, so buy a seventh if you want spare for topping up after a crust is skimmed off.
- Filter area 3.1 sq ft. At Hayward’s 20 gpm per sq ft design basis that is 62 gpm. It handles a pump flow up to that; with DOE’s optional efficiency advice (a filter rated 50% above the flow) it suits pumps up to about 41 gpm.
- Weight. Six bags is 300 lb lifted to the top of a tank that stands well over waist height. Halving each bag into a bucket makes it easier to pour slowly around the centre pipe.
- Water first. Half-fill the tank with water before pouring, as Hayward recommends, so 300 lb of sand doesn’t land on the laterals at once.
- Check the gap. Sand must stay at least 10 in below the top. If six bags overshoot that in your tank, stop and check the label.
Smaller Hayward tanks are on how much sand for a Hayward S210T and how much sand for a Hayward S166T. To check the S244T against your pump, see what size pump for a 20,000 gallon pool.
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) - Variable-speed pool pumpPremium price
Runs slower for longer and uses far less electricity for the same turnover. Check it suits your pipe size and filter.
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 does a Hayward S244T2 take?
The same as the S244T: 300 lb (6 bags of 50 lb). The T2 differs only in its 2 in valve.
How much sand for the next size up, the Hayward S270T?
350 pounds, or 7 bags of 50 pounds, for 3.7 sq ft of filter area.
Other common sizes
- How much sand for a Hayward S166T — 100 lb
- How much sand for a Hayward S210T — 200 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.