Filter Failure or Media Problem?

[Guoji]

I have a 60sq ft D.E Filter, adding cellulose fiber from Leslie's. According to instructions, I should add 15 scoops. I added 12 scoops(80%). But when I open my filter, I found that only 50% surface area of grids is covered by fibers. It's obvious that even if I add 15 scoops, it still won't be able to cover the entire surface.
Do I need to adjust the amount I'm adding, or is there an issue with my grids?

 

[Jimrahbe]

G,

How did your filter work when you were using DE??

When I open my DE filter, it is not unusual for large sections not to be covered in DE. It just slumps off when I drain the tank before opening the filter.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Guoji]

G,

How did your filter work when you were using DE??

When I open my DE filter, it is not unusual for large sections not to be covered in DE. It just slumps off when I drain the tank before opening the filter.

Thanks,

Jim R.

I’m not very sure . I don't have any experience with using D.E .Ex-house owner uses D.E and when I open the filter first time, I found it was covered very well. But I don't know how many D.E he add.

 

[Jimrahbe]

G,

What did the filter look like when you took it apart? What 50% was not coated?

Did you drain the filter before taking off the lid??

As much as I hate DE, I would use DE before using fiber..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Guoji]

G,

What did the filter look like when you took it apart? What 50% was not coated?

Did you drain the filter before taking off the lid??

As much as I hate DE, I would use DE before using fiber..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you, Jim :

I just opened filter and took a picture. Second picture was using D.E. Do you think filter can work in this situation?The coverage in the lower half of the grids is even worse. New grids are on the way.
By the way, what means use DE before using fiber. Can you please tell me how you do it?

Thanks again

 

[Jimrahbe]

G,

I should have said that I would use DE in a DE filter and not fiber..

Did you backwash and then drain your filter before removing the lid?

What kind of filter do you have? I ask because I can't remove the top manifold with the grids still in the filter..

Let's see what @1poolman1 has to say..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Guoji]

G,

I should have said that I would use DE in a DE filter and not fiber..

Did you backwash and then drain your filter before removing the lid?

What kind of filter do you have? I ask because I can't remove the top manifold with the grids still in the filter..

Let's see what @1poolman1 has to say..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim:
Didn't backwash but I opened vent then water drop to 1/3 before I open it. I have waterway 570-0060. Grids are too heavy to pull out as a whole for me so I try this way. Manifold is easy to be removed separately in this filter.
Thank you

 

[Jimrahbe]

G,

It can't hurt to replace the grids, but on the surface what is happening seems normal to me.. When the water level in the filter drops, some of the DE will fall off the grids into the water.

When you open the filter's air vent and the filter drains down to 1/3, the other 2/3 have to go somewhere and if the filter's drain is not open, that dirty water will go back into the pool.

I have two rent house pools that have DE filters.. My plan is to replace them with Waterway cartridge filters... What do you think of your Waterway filter?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[1poolman1]

Thank you, Jim :

I just opened filter and took a picture. Second picture was using D.E. Do you think filter can work in this situation?The coverage in the lower half of the grids is even worse. New grids are on the way.
By the way, what means use DE before using fiber. Can you please tell me how you do it?

Thanks again

A D.E. filter should have the D.E. drop off the grids when the pump shuts down. Technically they are supposed to be "regenerative" filters. The D.E. is the filter media that collects the dirt. When it falls off the grids, the dirt goes with it, but when the filter-pump starts up again it is only the D.E. that should re-coat (regenerates) the grids, its not supposed to stay on them at all times, but as it gets filled with pool debris and the oils that are always in a pool, it does.
Cellulose fiber is much lighter and far less prone to sticking to the grids (if they are new or the oils in the fabric have been removed first).
I'm not sure what scoop was being used, but if it was a "normal" D.E. scoop, 18 is exceedingly too much.
For a filter that size I would usually use 1 scoop of fiber with it packed tightly in the scoop. You typically use 1/8 the volume of fiber compared to D.E.
It is normal to not see any fiber on the grids when the filter is opened. Its the water quality that should be considered, not the media on the inside of the filter. It always worked for me, but others just didn't care for it.

 

[Guoji]

G,

It can't hurt to replace the grids, but on the surface what is happening seems normal to me.. When the water level in the filter drops, some of the DE will fall off the grids into the water.

When you open the filter's air vent and the filter drains down to 1/3, the other 2/3 have to go somewhere and if the filter's drain is not open, that dirty water will go back into the pool.

I have two rent house pools that have DE filters.. My plan is to replace them with Waterway cartridge filters... What do you think of your Waterway filter?

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim:

I can’t comment on their filtering performance. But it has good build quality. Easy to be assembled.Disadvantaged :The surface of the barrel seems to have some burrs.The burrs can pierce the skin if you touch them directly, similar to fiberglass. I think it was caused by exposure to the sun

 

[Guoji]

A D.E. filter should have the D.E. drop off the grids when the pump shuts down. Technically they are supposed to be "regenerative" filters. The D.E. is the filter media that collects the dirt. When it falls off the grids, the dirt goes with it, but when the filter-pump starts up again it is only the D.E. that should re-coat (regenerates) the grids, its not supposed to stay on them at all times, but as it gets filled with pool debris and the oils that are always in a pool, it does.
Cellulose fiber is much lighter and far less prone to sticking to the grids (if they are new or the oils in the fabric have been removed first).
I'm not sure what scoop was being used, but if it was a "normal" D.E. scoop, 18 is exceedingly too much.
For a filter that size I would usually use 1 scoop of fiber with it packed tightly in the scoop. You typically use 1/8 the volume of fiber compared to D.E.
It is normal to not see any fiber on the grids when the filter is opened. Its the water quality that should be considered, not the media on the inside of the filter. It always worked for me, but others just didn't care for it.

1poolman :

Thank you!
I made a mistake. I just check the package and aware that was "cups" no "scoops". Fiber comes with the cup and is a standard cup.
Your reply make me feel better. I will focus on the water quality

 

[Guoji]

Update: received new grids but I get crystal water from milky by old grids. Old grids work well though there are some small crack at the bottom.