My new Optiflow pump surges..............it seems to not be pulling the water thru the sand filter and discharging as it should. Sand filter gauge fluxuates between 0 and 3 lbs of pressure.

Cloudy water is the bane of sand filters!. I suggest letting filter run day and night. Do not backwash until the pressure rises 8 - 10 pounds above clean starting pressure. Do not try to vacuum or stir up the sediment. when water clears, vacuum to waste. Keep the hose running while vacuuming. A dirty filter is a better filter (up to a point). At a higher pressure the filter will trap more of the fine particles that are clouding your water.

A little sand in backwash is not uncommon. Many packaged sand filter systems use pumps whose flow rates greatly exceed the flow capacity of the filter.(the more horsepower the better, right? - Wrong) If this occurs only during back flush the the pump is too strong or the sand level is above the beginning of the rounded top of tank. The sand level will eventually correct itself.

Too much sand or wrong type of sand in the tank are two possibilities; should tell you on the side of the label how much sand to put in but generally it fills to about half way up the tank body.

Are you getting sand back in the pool at all? If not it is unlikely the sand is the issue since too small a grain would pass thru the laterals and get to the pool.

Have you used any clarifiers in the water? Over-dosing with a clarifier can literally turn the top of the sand bed into mortar impeding the flow of water.

John

YOU MUST PRIME THE PUMP.. OH I JUST SEEN CENTER DISCHARGE. NO, THE ONE THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE MOTOR IS THE DISCHARGE.BASKET SIDE IS SUCTION. HERE IS A LINK ON HOW 2 REMOVE YOUR PUMP

I happen to have a copy of the users manual for this pool filter. These are the instructions for operating your filter.

1. Be sure correct amount of filter sand media is in tank and
that all connections have been made and are secure.
2. Depress Vari-Flo control valve handle and rotate to
BACKWASH* position. (To prevent damage to control valve
seal, always depress handle before turning.)
3. Prime and start pump according to pump instructions (be
sure all suction and return lines are open), allowing the filter
tank to fill with water.
WARNING: ALL SUCTION AND
DISCHARGE VALVES MUST BE OPEN WHEN
STARTING THE SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO
SO COULD CAUSE SEVERE PERSONAL
INJURY.
Once water flow is steady out the waste line, run the pump for
at least 2 minutes. The initial back-washing of the filter is
recommended to remove any impurities or fine sand particles
in the sand media.
4. Turn pump off and set valve to RINSE position. Start pump
and operate until water in sight glass is clear—about 1/2 to 1
minute. Turn pump off, set valve to FILTER position and
restart pump. Your filter is now operating in the normal filter
mode, filtering particles from the pool water.
5. Adjust pool suction and return valves to achieve desired
flow. Check system and filter for water leaks and tighten
connections, bolts, nuts, as required.
6. Note the initial pressure gauge reading when the filter is
clean. (It will vary from pool to pool depending upon the
pump and general piping system). As the filter removes dirt
and impurities from the pool water, the accumulation in the
filter will cause the pressure to rise and flow to diminish.
When the pressure gauge reading is 8-10 PSI (0.55-0.69
BAR) higher than the initial "clean" pressure you noted, it is
time to backwash (clean) the filter (see BACKWASH under
Filter Control Valve Functions.)

There should be a drain at the bottom of your filter. There are really two drains in one ... one part lets the water out the second part (same hole) lets the sand out. Becareful not to remove the sand strainer.

Use a shop vac to blow and/or **** the lines out. Might be wise to lower the water below the suction and discharge lines (bottom drain excluded)

dont forget to pull the two (probably) on your pumps, one in the basket and one in the pump chamber.

alternatively, visit your manufacturer web site for specific instructions.

I dont think you will go too far wrong following my comment but Im not coming to fix any freeze damage :-)

Filter is being bypassed at backwash valve, due to poor spider gasket in valve, or there is a broken lateral in bottom of sand filter, causing debris to return to pool..