discontinued DE filter grid replacement

[ssa]

I have a Leslies's DE filter from my previous owner. It is very old.
The filter grid screen has been ruptured so now it is spitting
dirt back into the pool.

I went to leslie's try to find a replacement grid. It turn out this
filter is long discontinued. The closest it got was call Wet Institute,
36 sqt, stainless steal. There are still some Leslie store has the
filter grid replacement for Wet Institute. Even the replace grid is
also discontinued.

My closest store is having the other out of state store send the last
few piece to their store. It will be about $220 for 8 piece . But a new
filter will likely run $600 without the installation.

Should I get that replacement or just replace the whole filter? Those
replacement grid are likely been store for a long time.

On the other hand, the filter works fine before the screen rapture. And
it is likely my fault causing it. I have been pushing my luck of not cleaning
the filter for too long.

Any other idea is that, it is possible to DIY replace the screen on the
filter grid? The skeleton of the grid is still OK, nothing breaks. The screen
is make out of some sort of fiber glass cloth I guess. If I can get hold of some
of those screen cloth, I should be able to stitch a bag to fit the filter grid.

Has any one done that before or I should just cough up a new filter?

Thanks

 

[Poolschoolgrad]

SSA


The filter was manufactured by Atlas for Leslies.

If you have the model DE-36 the Unicel replacement grids should fit The Wet Institute DE filter.

A set of grids for the 36 sq ft model will cost you about $135 plus shipping if you are willing to do it yourself.

http://www.poolandspastuff.com/GridWetInstitute.htm

Most of the parts are still available, but they are expensive. If the filter is otherwise in good condition, I would simply replace the filter grids.
http://www.inyopools.com/pool_parts_wet_institute.aspx

 

[ssa]

Thanks for the tips.

I have open the filter to clean it many times so I don't mind replace it myself.
The filter is so old that it does not have a back wash valve. I have to do it the painful
way every time, opening the filter. I guess that is possible one of the reason
why the grid ruptured.

 

[ssa]

Just an update.

I get all 8 filter grid replaced. It is all good now. My pool is clean again.
My DE filter does not have back wash valves. I have to open the tank
to clean it. I just find out that using the shop vacuum to suck the water
out of the bottom of the filter tank works wonders.

 

[Poolschoolgrad]

Thank you for the update.

Glad the replacement grids solved your filter problem and at a fraction of the cost of a new filter.