How much sand does an Intex SX2800 take?
The Intex SX2800 takes 77 pounds of #20 silica sand, so buy 2 bags of 50 pounds, or 55 pounds of filter glass instead.
How to work it out
- Intex Krystal Clear SX2800: 77 lb (35 kg) of #20 silica sand (Intex’s product page (sand capacity, #20 silica))
- 77 lb ÷ 50 lb per bag = 1.54 → 2 bags
- Glass instead: 55 lb (Intex’s figure)
The SX2800 is Intex’s 14 in Krystal Clear sand filter pump, the size Intex rates for pools up to 17,200 gallons. Its odd 77 lb figure means two 50 lb bags with some left over — keep the spare for topping up.
Adjust for your project
- Bags of 50 lb (22.7 kg)
- 2 bags
- Or filter glass (Intex’s figure)
- 55 lb
- Filter area
- 1.07 sq ft
- Design flow
- 2,150 gal per hour system flow (about 36 gpm)
- Tank diameter
- 14 in
- Intex’s maximum pool size
- 17,200 gal
- Where the number comes from
- Intex’s product page (sand capacity, #20 silica)
- Intex lists both #20 silica sand and filter glass for its Krystal Clear pumps. Glass is lighter, so the tank takes fewer pounds of it.
- 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) |
Sand or glass in the SX2800
Intex lists two media for this unit: 77 lb (35 kg) of #20 silica sand, or 55 lb (25 kg) of filter glass. Glass is lighter for the same volume, which is why the pounds differ. Don’t mix the two in one tank.
- Flow. The pump is rated at 2,800 gallons an hour, but Intex gives the system flow — what actually goes through the sand — as 2,150 gph, about 36 gpm.
- Pool size. Intex rates it for pools up to 17,200 gallons, which covers a 24 ft round with a 52 in wall (Intex lists 12,481 gallons for its 24 ft × 52 in pool).
- Leftover sand. Two bags is 100 lb, so 23 lb is spare. Store it dry for the next top-up.
- Small tank, short runs. A 14 in tank has about 1.07 sq ft of cross-section, so it can load up faster than a big inground filter. Backwash when the pressure rises, as the manual directs.
The smaller unit is on how much sand for an Intex SX2100. A Hayward alternative for the same pool is how much sand for a Hayward S210T; the pump side is on what size pump for a 24 ft above-ground 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) - Filter glass mediaMid-range price
Lighter than sand, so a filter takes fewer pounds of it. Only use it where your filter maker allows it, and follow the glass maker’s fill chart.
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 an Intex SX3000?
120 pounds of #20 silica sand (3 bags of 50 pounds) for its 16 in tank. Intex rates it for pools up to 19,600 gal.
How much sand for an Intex SX1500?
26 pounds of #20 silica sand, so one 50 pound bag with plenty to spare, or 18.5 lb of glass.
Other common sizes
- How much sand a Hayward S244T takes — 300 lb
- How much sand for a Hayward S166T — 100 lb
- How much sand for a Hayward S210T — 200 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.