How Much Sand for Intex Sand Filter (by Model)

If you own an Intex Krystal Clear sand filter pump, the sand amount is not a guess based on your pool size. It is fixed by the model number printed on the pump, and Intex specifies it in kilograms right on the label. This guide gives approximate sand amounts for the common Intex models (SX1500, SX2100, SX2500, SX2800 and SX3000), how many bags to buy, and the fill rules that keep the pump running. For non-Intex tanks and the full tank-diameter method, see how much sand a pool filter needs.

Intex Sand Filter Sand Amount by Model

The figures below are approximate published amounts for each Intex Krystal Clear model. Intex lists the requirement in kilograms on the label, and the pound figures are converted and rounded, so treat them as a close guide rather than an exact weight. Always verify against your own model label or manual before buying.

A few things to note before you order. The number after “SX” reflects the rated flow, so a higher number generally means a larger tank and more sand. The 12 inch units (SX2800 and SX3000) sit at about 25 kg, which is right around 55 lb, so a single 50 lb bag falls just short of a full fill. If your unit is a 14 inch Intex tank or a model not listed here, follow the kilogram figure printed on your pump and read the general method in how much sand a pool filter needs.

Because Intex quotes sand by weight in kilograms, the safest move is always to read the exact number off your label or manual and convert if you prefer pounds. One kilogram is about 2.2 lb, so 25 kg lands near 55 lb.

What Type of Sand for an Intex Sand Filter

Intex recommends #20 grade silica pool filter sand, with a grain size of roughly 0.45 to 0.55 mm. This is the standard media sold as pool filter sand, and it is the only correct choice for these pumps.

Do not use:

• Play sand (too fine, passes through the laterals)
• Builders or construction sand (wrong grain size, often contaminated)
• Beach sand (irregular grain, organic material)
• General silica sand not labeled as pool grade (check the grain size)

The wrong grain size either escapes into the pool or clogs the bed and spikes the pressure. For the full breakdown of grades and alternatives such as glass media, read what type of sand for pool filter, and for tested products see our roundup of the best pool filter sand. You can also check current pricing for #20 pool filter sand on Amazon.

Do Not Overfill: Fill About Two-Thirds

The single most common Intex mistake is filling the tank to the top. Do not. Fill to about two-thirds of the tank, leaving the upper third empty.

That empty space above the sand bed is not wasted room. Water pools there during filtration before it is drawn down through the sand, and the space is what lets the pump backwash properly. Overfill it and you get a few predictable problems:

1. The tank pressure climbs too fast and the pump struggles.
2. Backwashing cannot agitate the sand bed, so the filter never really cleans itself.
3. In bad cases the internal parts do not seat, and the unit leaks around the valve.

When you pour the sand in, the tank should have room to spare above the bed. If the model figure and two-thirds seem to disagree, trust the printed kilogram figure on your pump and stop there. Underfilling slightly is far safer than overfilling.

How Many Bags of Sand to Buy

Pool filter sand is sold in 50 lb bags, so the math is simple once you know your model.

• SX1500, SX2100, SX2500: one 50 lb bag covers the fill with sand left over.
• SX2800, SX3000: at about 55 lb each, one bag is just short. Buy two 50 lb bags and keep the remainder.

Buying a spare bag is never wasted. Sand settles, a little spills during the pour, and leftover #20 silica keeps indefinitely if you store it sealed and dry. Having an extra 10 lb on hand means you never stop a job halfway because you came up short.

Check the label says #20 silica pool filter sand, not just “sand.” Bags marked play sand or plain silica are the wrong product even when the price looks better.

How Much the Sand Costs

Sand is the cheap part of owning an Intex pump. A 50 lb bag of #20 pool filter sand runs about $12 to $15.

• SX1500, SX2100, SX2500: one bag, so roughly $12 to $15 total.
• SX2800, SX3000: two bags, so roughly $24 to $30 total.

The media lasts several years before it needs changing, so the real cost works out to only a few dollars per season. Shipping a single heavy bag online sometimes costs more than the sand itself, so local pickup is often cheaper for one bag.

If You Cannot Find Your Model Number

The Intex model number (SX1500, SX2100, SX2500, SX2800, SX3000 and so on) is printed on a label on the pump housing, and also on the original box and the manual. Start there.

If the label has worn off, match the tank size instead. The smaller 10 inch tanks (SX2100) take less sand than the 12 inch tanks (SX2800, SX3000). Measure the widest part of the tank body to tell them apart, then use the closest row in the table above as a starting point and stop at the point where the bed sits around two-thirds full.

When you still cannot pin it down, follow the printed kilogram figure on the unit, or use the general tank-diameter method in how much sand a pool filter needs, which covers every filter regardless of brand.

Setting Up and Maintaining Your Intex Filter

Adding sand is only one step. Once the media is in, connect and prime the pump using how to set up an Intex pool pump and filter, and learn the cleaning cycle in how to backwash an Intex sand filter. When the sand eventually wears smooth and stops trapping debris, replace it with the steps in how to change pool filter sand.

If you also need to shop for the pump or a replacement, you can compare current listings for an Intex sand filter pump on Amazon.

Related Guides

• Best Sand Filter for Above-Ground Pools if you are still choosing the unit
• How Much Sand a Pool Filter Needs for the general tank-diameter method and non-Intex models
• How to Set Up an Intex Pool Pump and Filter for first-time assembly and priming
• How to Backwash an Intex Sand Filter for the cleaning cycle
• What Type of Sand for Pool Filter? for #20 silica grade and media alternatives
• Best Pool Filter Sand for tested media picks
• How to Change Pool Filter Sand for the full replacement procedure