I have never owned a pool before. I purchased an above ground pool online and it came with a Clearwater 2 D.E. filter. I followed all the instructions to set it up. After watching some YouTube videos, I noticed other people where adding D.E. powder to their systems. I have been pouring over the info that came with the system and it doesn’t say anywhere about adding powder, but it did come with a measuring cup for for D.E. powder. I need help to figure this out. Thank you!
Help with D.E. filter
- Thread starter Mcable
- Start date
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,456
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
I looked up a couple links to instruction manuals...you're right, no info on the amount of D.E. required. It looks like they used the same instructions for their cartridge filters which don't use D.E.
MOST D.E. filters take one pound of D.E. for each 10 sq/ft of filter area. I found one link for an 18 sq/ft Clearwater II D.E. filter that shows "D.E. Required (not included): 2 lbs".
Does your filter show the filter area in sq/ft?
You're probably safe going with one pound for each 10 sq/ft. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer.
Assuming your pool has a skimmer, the best way to add D.E. is to mix it with a water, in a 5-gallon bucket (half full) to make a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the skimmer with the pump running. Make a note of your clean filter pressure. When pressure rises by 25%, it's time to clean the filter.
MOST D.E. filters take one pound of D.E. for each 10 sq/ft of filter area. I found one link for an 18 sq/ft Clearwater II D.E. filter that shows "D.E. Required (not included): 2 lbs".
Does your filter show the filter area in sq/ft?
You're probably safe going with one pound for each 10 sq/ft. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer.
Assuming your pool has a skimmer, the best way to add D.E. is to mix it with a water, in a 5-gallon bucket (half full) to make a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the skimmer with the pump running. Make a note of your clean filter pressure. When pressure rises by 25%, it's time to clean the filter.
Thank you so much for your help! I have been running it without D.E., do you think the grids have been damaged?
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,456
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
I bet you'll be fine. If the pool is dirty, your uncoated grids may be embedded with dirt/debris. I would tear down the filter and clean the grids before adding DE. It would be a good time to closely examine the grids as well.
Thank you! I really appreciate your help!
So I added D.E. to my system like you described. My measuring cup is for 5 sq ft of filter area, so I added two and a half cups for my 12sq ft filter. And now the water is super cloudy and there are little white piles on the bottom with lots of white debris floating in the around. Does that mean the grids are damaged? And if so, how would I go about removing the D.E. from the water?
Last edited by a moderator:
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,456
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
Did you happen to tear down the filter and examine the grids?
It's normal for a small amount of DE to enter the pool when recharging the filter, but it sounds like you've lost more than a small amount.
Is there still DE returning to the pool when the pump is running? Did it only happen when you first added DE, or was it a constant white flow?
You can run the pump and use a vacuum to pull the DE back to the filter. If it returns, you'll need to tear down and examine the filter.
It's normal for a small amount of DE to enter the pool when recharging the filter, but it sounds like you've lost more than a small amount.
Is there still DE returning to the pool when the pump is running? Did it only happen when you first added DE, or was it a constant white flow?
You can run the pump and use a vacuum to pull the DE back to the filter. If it returns, you'll need to tear down and examine the filter.
I tore it down and cleaned it out before I added the powder and I didn’t see any tears or damage. I’m planning on pulling it apart again this afternoon and hopefully I can tell where it’s coming from. I vacuumed it out first thing in the morning and later in the afternoon and there were still piles everywhere this morning. It’s so cloudy it’s hard to see the bottom. I can’t tell if there is a constant white flow because the water is so cloudy. I was thinking of washing all the d.e. out of the grids and then vacuum the bottom and repeat to remove the d.e. from the pool. Hopefully that will work. And my type of filter has been discontinued so it’s hasn’t been easy to find replacement grids. I’m thinking of replacing it with a cartridge filter, is that crazy? Thank you so much for all your help!
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,456
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
Yes. But it's very easy for me to spend your money!
If you do decide on a cartridge filter, try to get as much of the DE out the pool as you can.
If you need help deciding on a cartridge filter, might be best to post a new thread to get some more eyes on it.
You should set up your signature. Click on your settings and look for the link.
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,456
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
You mentioned you have a measuring cup for 5 sq ft of filter area. I have a DE measuring cup that holds approximately 36 fluid ounces. This is equal to approximately 3/4 lb. Double-check the volume of your measuring cup just to make sure you're not adding too much.
•Update • I pulled it all apart and there were two areas that had no powder coating, I’ll attach a picture. I cleaned and inspected it and I didn’t see any damage, cracks, tears, etc. After I reassembled I started vacuuming and I could clearly see it coming straight back out the return just as fast as I could suck it up. So I assume the grids are damaged and would need to be replaced.
Attachments
I received a Waterways Clearwater 2 d.e. filter with my pool package. I was getting a lot of d.e. flowing back into the pool so I pulled apart my filter to clean it out to find the issue. I found instructions online and one of the first steps is to clean the internal filter screen but I haven’t been able to get to it. Does anyone out there have the same filter and would know how to access that part of the filter? I included a picture of the instructions and of the top of my filter housing. Somewhere inside the black part is that screen and I can’t figure out how to remove it. Thank you for any help!
Attachments
- Jul 21, 2013
- 54,460
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
To me it looks like you are missing part A - the Screen/Sock Assembly.
I think you are missing some parts at the top of your filter that could be why it is not working correctly. I woudl contact Waterway and discuss with them.
I think you are missing some parts at the top of your filter that could be why it is not working correctly. I woudl contact Waterway and discuss with them.