Filter becomes clogged after an hour

Jump to latest Follow Reply
M

microscopes

Silver Supporter
Jun 1, 2016
269
Buffalo, NY
Pool Size
11700
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Solaxx (Saltron) Reliant / Purechlor R5
I’m SLAMing right to get rid of the green swamp I let happen over the winter.

It’s currently in the cloudy blue stage.

But anyway, I’ve noticed my filter is getting worse than ever at clogging up.

And by clogging up, I mean the pressure going back into the pool becomes less and less and within an hour of backwashing the DE, the pool is barely recirculating.

So every couple of hours I go out back, turn it all off, bump the handle, let out the DE, turn it back on, fill up more DE, and set the timer for another couple hours.

Is it time for a new filter? Stronger pump?
 
The DE Filter is working hard and capturing your algae. This is exactly how they work so well at keeping your pool crystal clear normally....yet can be so annoying to deal with when you have an algae outbreak.

You just need to keep at it clearing the filter up/reloading it and monitoring it. Keep at it and it will go longer before clogging up as you kill and remove the algae.

Maddie :flower:
 
I have an older perflex de filter also.
when you bump it, you should not have to empty it everytime, if the pool is in a cloudy stage.
This year when opening, my pump went down for about 4 days, had to slam, and I only had to recharge the filter once.
 
Merged threads. TFP Mod

I've been bumping (and or recharging) my DE filter every 30 minutes for the past week, trying to get the algae out.

It's taking so long, because literally 10 minutes after bumping or re-charging, the filter is clogged again.

Ahhh!!!

Please tell me there is some other non-sanity reducing way!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
For example, would buying a larger HP pump to push through the filter allow me to bump every 2 hours instead of every 30 minutes? Losing my mind over here.
 
That has to be SO hard! So lets get some background knowledge.

Now lets chat........are you doing a SLAM? Have you seen the SLAM link? What does your water look like now? A picture would be very helpful. What are you latest test results?

This should give a us a good start.
 
We're going to need a full set of tests as it sounds like your algae is still producing. Can you post recent Taylor tests?
 
kimkats said:
That has to be SO hard! So lets get some background knowledge.

Now lets chat........are you doing a SLAM? Have you seen the SLAM link? What does your water look like now? A picture would be very helpful. What are you latest test results?

This should give a us a good start.
Click to expand...

Yes, doing a slam. 30+ FC.

Pool is fairly clear. Went from green, to cloudy blue, to clear(ish) blue.

But still a tad cloudy and I'm pretty sure it's because the filter just can't handle the AMOUNT of Crud going through it.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
With a DE filter you need to have a multiport valve or redo the plumbing so you can bypass the filter. When you need to SLAM, you bypass the filter until the algae is all dead, then do the marathon filtering to remove it.
 
mknauss said:
With a DE filter you need to have a multiport valve or redo the plumbing so you can bypass the filter. When you need to SLAM, you bypass the filter until the algae is all dead, then do the marathon filtering to remove it.
Click to expand...

Can you tell me a little more on how this would work on an above ground pool? Sorry I’m not fully understanding.
 
What Marty is referring to is for when you are killing the algae. If you would take and share a pic of your filter and equipment we can help you find the recirculate option or how to pipe it to by pass the filter.

Once the algae is dead then you HAVE to use the filter or all of the suspended particles will stay in the water.

Check on our local Craig's List to see if anyone is selling a sand filter.
 
kimkats said:
What Marty is referring to is for when you are killing the algae. If you would take and share a pic of your filter and equipment we can help you find the recirculate option or how to pipe it to by pass the filter.

Once the algae is dead then you HAVE to use the filter or all of the suspended particles will stay in the water.

Check on our local Craig's List to see if anyone is selling a sand filter.
Click to expand...

Ok when I go back out there I’ll snap some pics.

So you’re thinking - use a sand filter until the algae is gone, then go back to DE?
 
duraleigh said:
Yikes, NO!!!

Set your mind that your problem is with your chemistry.....not your filter. Can you tell us how you are testing during your SLAM?
Click to expand...

I use a Taylor pool chemistry kit.

I haven’t been testing much though, because I can’t imagine much is happening with the filter barely moving!

After 10 minutes, the water pressure coming out of the filter and into the pool is barely pushing my hand.

I put 5 gallons of bleach in on Sunday and another 2 gallons today.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply