DE Perflex EC 65 Filter - All 6lbs of the DE I put into the skimmer kicks back into the pool

[MZak]

Hi everyone
Have an 18 year old Inground pool..... original filter.... works great until now, pain to clean, but started having an issue last year before closing. All of my DE kicks back into the pool ( yup.....all 6 lbs). You can literally see a cloud shoot8ng from all 3 outlets into the pool until all the DE is in the pool. Gives this really nice coating to the entire pool bottom Checked the mesh fingers and replaced a few ( although i didn’t really see any teers). I also replaced the big rubber gasket since the previous one was quite ragged and degrading. My initial thought was the raggedy gasket was causing all the DE to go back into the pool originally and after open8ng up the system and replacing the gasket; thought my problem would be solved. WRONG !!!!! Outside of a hole in the mesh fingers ( which I really don’t think there are any; especially with the quick rate at which all the DE shoots back into the pool), could I have put the gasket on incorrectly? I followed the manual to a tee, or is there something else I’m missing? Gonna take apart the entire finger/rubber gasket assembly (which is pictured) again to make sure. Appreciate any thoughts or suggestions

 

[Texas Splash]

Zak, welcome to TFP! While I personally don't own a DE, attention to detail is extremely critical with those. The slightest opening in fabric, manifold, or gasket will push that DE right through it. Let's keep this thread posted and visible. Maybe someone with the same type of filter will have some thoughts. Post back as much as you like.

 

[JamesW]

All of my DE kicks back into the pool ( yup.....all 6 lbs).

That's almost impossible unless something is really wrong.

Do you have pictures of everything?

Maybe the plates are cracked?

 

[MZak]

Thx for feedback Tex and James....plates are in perfect shape, no teers in the mesh fingers....I’m pretty meticulous with this stuff. I can literally feed the DE into the skimmer and After it runs through the pipes, filter etc. watch it shoot out the outlets 30 seconds later.....I gotta imagine it’s the big rubber gasket. I will take it apart this weekend and see if that is the issue. Never had a problem until now.....so it’s got to be the gasket...right? Let’s hope. Will get a pic posted

 

[JamesW]

Do you have a picture of the system?

 

[MITBeta]

Is the gasket lubed?

 

[MZak]

James.......When u say system are you meaning the overall setup?

 

[MZak]

MIT...... I did not lube the gasket.... wasn’t aware I should have nor is it in the manual......if I recall.
- obviously u would recommend to lube it?
- what do you use ?
- where?

 

[wireform]

I'm thinking the diverter valve by the intake to the filter is in bypass mode or is that to waste?

 

[zea3]

Here is a good video demonstrating how to clean and assemble the filter. I would take the lid off and check the plate the fingers attach to for hairline cracks. Silicone pool lube is used on rubber gaskets and o-rings.

 

[MZak]

I'm thinking the diverter valve by the intake to the filter is in bypass mode or is that to waste?

wire........ yeah that’s set to waste over the winter.....just getting the entire system ready for opening.....if it were set to waste all the DE would be going straight out vs into the filter

 

[MZak]

Here is a good video demonstrating how to clean and assemble the filter. I would take the lid off and check the plate the fingers attach to for hairline cracks. Silicone pool lube is used on rubber gaskets and o-rings.

Awesome. Thx Zea

 

[JamesW]

You're going to have to open the filter to see what is going on inside.

It's almost impossible for ALL of the DE to bypass the filter assembly unless there is a giant hole or the assembly is missing.

 

[JamesW]

What is the device in the back?

Is it a tab feeder?

If the valves to that are open when you add DE, that will allow a lot of DE to bypass.

I would get rid of that thing.

 

[zea3]

@JamesW It looks like an old DE separation tank to me, but that doesn't make sense with this filter.

 

[JamesW]

@JamesW It looks like an old DE separation tank to me, but that doesn't make sense with this filter.

I think that it's a tab feeder.

 

[1poolman1]

If you are running the system with the valve in that position, you are completely bypassing the filter. The handle needs to point to 9:00 o'clock, not noon. The label on the curved part of the handle will tell you that the port to the filter is closed.

 

[JamesW]

In the picture, everything is winterized. The bolts that hold the top on are not even in.

IN my opinion, 99.9% it's the tab feeder providing the bypass for the DE.

The three-way valve will send water to waste, not return.

 

[MZak]

I'm thinking the diverter valve by the intake to the filter is in bypass mode or is that to waste?

Wire.....the pic is just my winter shutdown Pic , opening up the whole system this weekend and will report back to all of you...appreciate all the input

 

[MZak]

What is the device in the back?

Is it a tab feeder?

If the valves to that are open when you add DE, that will allow a lot of DE to bypass.

I would get rid of that thing.