Activate
Overview:
Dr. Dryden's Activate is an activated glass filter media engineered to deliver finer filtration, more efficient backwashing and longer media life than traditional sand. Made from 100% recycled glass, Activate improves filtration performance without replacing the filter.
Key Features:
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Filters finer particles than traditional sand
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Activated glass surface technology
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Up to 50% less backwash water
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More than twice the service life of sand
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Lower water and chemical consumption
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Low-contamination filter media
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Made from 100% recycled glass
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NSF 50 certified
ACTIVATE
FINE
Grade 1 - SKU 10531
ACTIVATE
Course
Grade 2 - SKU 10532
ACTIVATE
Extra course
Grade 3 - SKU 10533
ACTIVATE
Combi
Grade 4 - SKU 10534
Installation Guide
How to replace the sand in your filter with Dr. Dryden's Activate. Choose the set-up that matches your filter's diameter.
Filters up to 36" Diameter
Use 50% Activate Fine (SKU 10531, Grade 1) with 50% Activate Coarse (SKU 10532, Grade 2), or use 100% Activate Combi (SKU 10534, a mix of Grade 1 & Grade 2).
Step 1: Work Out How Much Activate You Need
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Find the sand capacity on the filter label or in the filter manufacturer's manual.
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Multiply the sand weight by 0.85. Activate is lighter than sand, so the same bed volume needs about 15% less by weight.
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Divide by 25 and round up to whole 25 lb bags. For the 50/50 option, split the total evenly between Fine and Coarse.
Quick reference (sand → Activate → 25 lb bags):
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100 lb sand → 85 lb → 4 bags
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150 lb sand → 127.5 lb → 6 bags
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200 lb sand → 170 lb → 7 bags
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250 lb sand → 212.5 lb → 9 bags
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300 lb sand → 255 lb → 11 bags
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350 lb sand → 297.5 lb → 12 bags
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400 lb sand → 340 lb → 14 bags
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500 lb sand → 425 lb → 17 bags
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600 lb sand → 510 lb → 21 bags
Step 2: Remove the Old Media
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Turn off the pump at the breaker and close the valves on both sides of the filter.
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Open the air relief valve to release all pressure.
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Drain the filter, remove the valve or lid, and remove the old sand following the filter manufacturer's instructions.
Step 3: Fill with Activate
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Inspect the laterals and standpipe. Replace any that are cracked or damaged before adding media.
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Cover the top of the standpipe so no media falls into it.
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Fill the tank halfway with water. The water cushions the laterals as the media goes in. Keep water above the media while you pour.
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Pour in the Activate slowly. For the 50/50 option, add the Coarse first and level it, then add the Fine on top.
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Level the bed and check the freeboard against the filter manufacturer's spec.
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Clean any media off the tank rim and O-ring, uncover the standpipe and reinstall the valve or lid.
Step 4: Filter Start Up
After installation, backwash the filter for 3 minutes before going into filtration mode. Your filter is now ready.
Ongoing Operation
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Filter at 6–12 gpm/ft². A variable-speed pump with a flowmeter gives the best water quality and energy savings.
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Backwash at least once a week for 3–5 minutes at more than 16 gpm/ft².
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Flow rate (gpm) = rate per ft² × filter area (ft²). A 24" filter has 3.14 ft², so backwash at 50–63 gpm.
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Do not use air scouring. Air scouring is not recommended for filters with laterals.
Filters Larger than 36" Diameter
Use three grades: Activate Fine (Grade 1), Activate Coarse (Grade 2) and Activate Extra Coarse (Grade 3).
Step 1: Calculate the Required Activate Media
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Find the sand capacity on the filter label or in the filter manufacturer's manual.
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Multiply the sand weight by 0.85 to get the total Activate weight.
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Extra Coarse (support layer): use enough to fill the space below the laterals and cover them by 4". Work this out from the filter manufacturer's dimensions or the volume of gravel the filter held. If unsure, ask ReThink Pool Care® (care@rethinkpoolcare.com).
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Subtract the Extra Coarse from the total. Split the rest 30–40% Coarse and 60–70% Fine.
Example: a 1,000 lb sand filter needs 850 lb of Activate. If its laterals take 170 lb of Extra Coarse, the remaining 680 lb splits 35% Coarse / 65% Fine:
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Extra Coarse (laterals + 4") → 170 lb → 7 bags
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Coarse (35% of rest) → 238 lb → 10 bags
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Fine (65% of rest) → 442 lb → 18 bags
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Total → 850 lb → 35 bags
Check the freeboard. The bed rises about 20% during backwash. Leave about 8" of clearance above that raised height to the top collector so media isn't lost.
Step 2: Remove the Old Media
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Turn off power to the pump and close the isolation valves on both sides of the filter.
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Open the air relief valve to release all pressure.
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Drain the filter and remove the old media through the top opening or manway, following the filter manufacturer's procedure.
Step 3: Fill with Activate, Coarsest Grade First
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Inspect the laterals or nozzle plate. Replace any damaged parts before adding media.
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Cover any open pipe ends inside the tank so no media falls in.
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Fill the tank halfway with water to protect the underdrain. Keep a layer of water above the media for the whole loading process.
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Add the Extra Coarse first. Fill below the laterals and continue to at least 4" above them. Level the layer.
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Add the Coarse on top and level it.
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Add the Fine last and level it.
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If loading through a hose, move the media with water (or water and compressed air). Never use compressed air alone; it damages the media.
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Clean the seal surfaces and close the filter.
Step 4: Filter Start Up
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After installation, backwash the filter for 3 minutes.
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Set filtration velocity to 12–15 gpm/ft² and backwash velocity to 16–18 gpm/ft² for 3 minutes for optimal water quality and energy savings.
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Skim off about 0.5–1" of the top layer to remove fines and dust from shipping.
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If using the Fine (Grade 1), re-wet the media after skimming (repeat step 1).
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Backwash again until the water at the filter outlet runs clear.
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Rinse to drain until the water is clear, then return the system to filtration.
Ongoing Operation
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Filter at 12–15 gpm/ft², Dryden's range for public swimming pools.
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Backwash when the pressure rises about 8 psi above clean-filter pressure, or at least once a week.
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Backwash enough to lift the bed at least 15–20%: at 16–20 gpm/ft². Ramp up and down over about 30 seconds each.
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Backwash for 3–5 minutes or until the backwash water outlet runs clear.
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Flow rate (gpm) = rate per ft² × filter area (ft²). A 48" filter has 12.6 ft², so backwash at about 200–250 gpm. Confirm the pump can deliver this before converting.