Quick verdict
The bigger Sand Dollar for larger above-ground (or small in-ground) pools. Same durable, simple design as the SD40 with more capacity.
Ideal for
- Larger above-ground pools
- Small in-ground pools
- Owners who want longer cycles from a sand filter
Not ideal for
- Large in-ground pools (size up)
- Owners wanting cartridge/D.E. clarity
The full picture
The Sand Dollar SD60 steps up from the SD40 with a 22-inch tank and higher flow, giving bigger above-ground pools (and some smaller in-ground pools) more sand area and longer cycles between backwashes. It keeps the line's signature corrosion-proof, one-piece blow-molded tank and 1.5-inch clamp-style multiport valve, so setup and maintenance stay simple. Filtration is still sand-grade, but the extra capacity means it handles heavier debris loads without cleaning as often. For an owner who found the SD40 a touch small, or who has a larger above-ground pool, the SD60 is the right-sized version.
Pentair Sand Dollar SD60 Sand Filter (22 in) at a glance
- Filter type
- Sand
- Filter area
- 22 in tank
- Flow rate (GPM)
- 60
- Filtration (microns)
- 20–40
- Backwashing required
- Yes
- Filter media
- Pool filter sand
- Tank material
- One-piece blow-molded (corrosion-proof)
- Valve
- 1.5 in clamp-style multiport
- Pool type
- Above-ground / small in-ground
- Notable feature
- Larger 22 in tank — more capacity than the SD40
Source: Compiled from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings, and aggregated owner feedback. Specs and prices change — confirm with the retailer before buying.
This is a research-based review — our analysis draws on manufacturer specifications, manuals, warranty terms, and verified owner feedback rather than our own hands-on testing, and we note where a detail couldn't be confirmed. How we review
The in-depth review
The Sand Dollar SD60 is the larger sibling to the SD40, stepping up to a 22-inch tank and higher flow for owners who found the smaller unit undersized.
What the extra size buys
More sand area and higher flow mean longer cycles between backwashes and the ability to handle bigger above-ground pools — and even some smaller in-ground pools. It keeps everything that makes the line easy: the one-piece, corrosion-proof blow-molded tank with no seams to leak, and a 1.5-inch clamp-style multiport valve for simple, familiar backwashing. If the SD40 would leave you backwashing too often, the SD60 is the right-sized answer.
The honest caveats
It's still sand, so filtration stays coarse and backwashing still wastes water, and it's not a substitute for a full-size in-ground filter on a large pool. The extra capacity helps with cleaning frequency, not with clarity — that's a limit of the media, not the tank.
Performance breakdown
Research-based editorial judgments from specs, warranty terms, and verified owner feedback — not lab measurements. How we score
Pros and cons
What works
- More capacity than the SD40
- Corrosion-proof one-piece tank
- Works above-ground or small in-ground
- Simple multiport backwashing
What doesn't
- Coarse sand filtration
- Backwashing wastes water
- Still undersized for large in-ground pools
- Sand refresh every ~5–7 years
Best alternatives to Pentair Sand Dollar SD60 Sand Filter (22 in)
Hayward
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Best compact cartridge
The compact single-cartridge filter — cartridge clarity and no backwashing for smaller pools and spas, at an approachable price.
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SD40
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Pentair Sand Dollar SD40 Above-Ground Sand Filter
Best above-ground sand
A compact, one-piece blow-molded sand filter built for above-ground pools — corrosion-proof, simple, and easy to set up.
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Pentair Tagelus TA60D Sand Filter
Best Pentair sand filter
Pentair’s durable fiberglass-reinforced sand filter — a uniform sand bed and clamp-style multiport valve for reliable, low-cost filtration.
Hayward
Hayward Pro Series S244T Sand Filter (24 in)
Best value sand filter
The classic, low-fuss sand filter — cheap to run, forgiving, and dead simple, with a multiport valve that backwashes at the turn of a handle.
Frequently asked questions
SD60 vs SD40 — which do I need?
The SD60 has a larger 22-inch tank and higher flow than the 19-inch SD40, so it suits bigger above-ground pools and runs longer between backwashes. Choose the SD60 if the SD40 would be undersized for your pool or pump.
Can the SD60 handle an in-ground pool?
A small in-ground pool, yes — it’s rated for above-ground and small in-ground use. For a full-size in-ground pool, step up to a larger in-ground filter.
How much sand does it take?
More than the SD40 given its larger tank; follow the manual’s fill amount for pool-grade sand, and refresh it every 5–7 years as it wears.
Is maintenance any different from the SD40?
No — same routine: multiport backwash when pressure rises, occasional sand refresh. The larger tank simply means you backwash less often for a given debris load.
Does it resist corrosion?
Yes — like the SD40 it uses a one-piece blow-molded tank with no seams to corrode or leak, which is a durability advantage for outdoor use.
Sand or cartridge for a larger above-ground pool?
Sand (SD60) is simplest and cheapest to run; a large cartridge filter would filter finer and skip backwashing but costs more. Pick based on whether clarity or simplicity matters more to you.