Hayward 16 Inch Sand Filter

Hayward Sandmaster 16" Top-Mount Sand Filter (W3S166T)

Bring industry-proven mechanical filtration, exceptional material durability, and outstanding value to your pool equipment pad with the Hayward Sandmaster 16-Inch High-Rate Sand Filter. Precision-engineered as a compact, high-efficiency solution for small-to-medium pools, this series incorporates Hayward’s advanced fluid-dynamic technologies. It establishes a perfectly balanced internal water path that optimizes daily water turnover rates while minimizing hydraulic backpressure on your circulation pump.

Molded from an advanced, corrosion-proof reinforced thermoplastic composite, the Sandmaster features a sleek, unitized black tank design. It offers long-term resistance to heavy internal pressure spikes, direct outdoor UV exposure, and intense pool chemicals, requiring only minimal care to maintain flawless performance season after season.

Advanced Hydraulics & Rugged Unitized Architecture

• Reinforced Thermoplastic Hull: The corrosion-proof, one-piece structural body is injection-molded from specialized high-density thermoplastics, ensuring absolute immunity to rust and exceptional material endurance against tough winter climates.

• Balanced Flow Top Diffuser: Outfitted with an integrated top diffuser that cascades incoming unfiltered water evenly across every square inch of the sand media bed. This uniform flow pattern prevents water channeling and extracts crisp physical water clarity.

• Patented Multi-Port Control Valve: Topped with an easy-to-use, multi-position top-mount valve featuring an ergonomic lever that lets you cycle through essential plumbing operations—including Filter, Backwash, Rinse, and Winterization—with a single fluid movement.

• 75 GPM Velocity Profile: Hydraulically optimized to handle a continuous Maximum Flow Rate of 75 GPM, allowing it to pair safely with standard residential circulation pumps.

• Pro-Level Connection Interfaces: Designed with robust 1.5-inch Union Slip connections that reduce installation downtime and ensure leak-free plumbing seals.

Technical Specifications

• Product Code / SKU: W3S166T (Direct factory upgrade for legacy model: S166T)

• Filter Tank Diameter: 16 Inches

• Tank Aesthetics: Solid UV-Stabilized Matte Black Finish

• Plumbing Interface Ports: 1.5-Inch Union Slip Connections

• Maximum Operational Velocity: 75 GPM (Gallons Per Minute)

• Required Media Mass: 100 lbs of Standard #20 Silica Pool Sand (Equivalent to 2 bags of 50 lb filter sand; Media Not Included)

• Control Valve Configuration: Patented Top-Mount Multi-Port Valve Assembly (Included)

• Tank Structural Shell: Single-Piece Injection-Molded Corrosion-Proof Polymer

📊 Trouble-Free, Low-Cost Mechanical Filtration

Sand filtration remains a premier choice for pool owners seeking crisp water filtration without the ongoing overhead of replacing delicate fabric cartridges or D.E. grids. When your integrated pressure gauge indicates a 7–10 PSI rise over your clean system baseline, simply shut off your pump, depress the valve lever, rotate it to the "Backwash" position, and let the internal lateral network rapidly flush trapped dirt and organic particulate straight down your waste line.

⚠️ Installation, Sizing & Crucial Winterization Rules

• Factory Warranty Parameters: Backed by a 1-Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty covering factory defects in structural materials and workmanship under ordinary usage.

• Absolute Freeze Expansion Warning: The factory warranty does not cover structural splitting, hairline cracking, or valve ruptures caused by freeze expansion or residual ice formation. In cold-weather climates, the tank must be completely drained of water via the lower drain fitting, and the plumbing lines must be blown out prior to sub-zero winter temperatures. Warranty coverage explicitly excludes labor charges, water loss, or chemical replacement costs.

• Media Sizing Compliance: Operating this filter with incorrect sand grades, fine play sand, or uncertified aggregate will ruin the internal lateral slots, blow media back into your pool return lines, and void all warranty coverages. Use exclusively standard #20 Silica Sand or certified glass alternatives.

• Professional Alignment: Damage resulting from improper mechanical anchoring, over-pressurization past factory specifications, or incorrect pipe gluing will void the warranty. Professional installation by a licensed pool technician is highly recommended.

📞 Hydraulic Sizing & Connection Layout Support: Upgrading your system footprint to a 16-inch sand filter requires ensuring your pump’s flow output aligns safely with your plumbing design targets to avoid over-pressurizing the valve assembly or driving sand back into your return lines.

Please contact our technical support squad directly to evaluate real-time regional warehouse availability, check freight shipping logistics, or confirm the exact plumbing layout required for your pool pad setup.