I have been backwashing every 20 to 30 minutes and adding the required amount of DE all last year, cleaned it (again!) at the end of the season and going through the same process again so far this year. If I cant figure it out, this DE filter will be gone! I want to use our pool this year!
Deep cleaning a DE filter!
- Thread starter 69algee
- Start date
I really don't mind paying for the Bioguard stuff. it really seemed to work well. At least better than the Ace Hardware HTC stuff that seemed to mess things up for us!I was on the Mineral Springs turnip truck for years. You think regular Bioguard stuffs is expensive????? Ooof. Their premiere line makes it look CHEAP.
- Jul 17, 2019
- 3,730
- Pool Size
- 13000
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- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Wow, thats a lot of work.
Keep in mind that the filter does not kill algae at all, it just filters out stuff floating in the water (pollen, dead algae, dirt, etc.). If you are having to backwash that much, you have to have algae.
The only thing that will kill algae is chlorine and TFP recommends the SLAM process to completely kill the algae. In order to do that, you need a good test kit that can accurately test your elevated FC level.
I would do the following:
1. Order a good test kit
2. Add 5ppm of FC on a daily basis until your test kit gets in. If you tell us how many gallons your pool is, we can calculate the amount of liquid chlorine you need.
3. Read up on the SLAM process. Its truly a process and will likely take a week or more, but will completely sanitize your water and keep the algae from coming back.
Lastly, can you bypass the filter in your setup? That will at least keep you from having to backwash so much and hopefully keep your sanity in the process.
Yeah I have it on recirculate right now, Wife wants me to pull it apart again (sigh) tonight and clean it and see. I'll be honest we "slammed" the pool before closing last year so if we cant get this filter to work its gonna go!
- Jul 17, 2019
- 3,730
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Ok, the filter is just doing its job. Chlorine is the answer and way more important than the filter.
Keep in mind that a DE filter is the best, so once you kill all of the algae and get back to normal, you should have perfectly clear water and only have to backwash a handful of times a year.
Keep in mind that a DE filter is the best, so once you kill all of the algae and get back to normal, you should have perfectly clear water and only have to backwash a handful of times a year.
Well, that's what I am saying, we had perfectly clear water the last half of summer but this filter didn't wanna cooperate with us after we got it cleared, every 20 to 30 minutes backwash, fill DE backwash fill with DE, heck....I just about ran out of DE last summer!
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- Jul 17, 2019
- 3,730
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Here would be my guesses, in order of likelihood:
1. Algae - Not to beat a dead horse, but you need a good test kit to determine this. Just because you don't see the algae doesn't mean it is not there.
2. Bad Pressure Gauge - These can go bad and are easy to replace. One easy test is to turn off the pump and verify that the gauge shows 0 PSI.
3. Filter problem - It happens from time to time, but not nearly as common as the first 2. This is the most costly of the 3 possibilities and I would rule out the 2 above before ditching your filter.
1. Algae - Not to beat a dead horse, but you need a good test kit to determine this. Just because you don't see the algae doesn't mean it is not there.
2. Bad Pressure Gauge - These can go bad and are easy to replace. One easy test is to turn off the pump and verify that the gauge shows 0 PSI.
3. Filter problem - It happens from time to time, but not nearly as common as the first 2. This is the most costly of the 3 possibilities and I would rule out the 2 above before ditching your filter.
Yeah maybe that's what I am afraid of, we didn't get rid of it all. I know the DE filter is the absolute best of the best I just don't know if I want to be married to it again all summer long It seems as if that filter is more of a hobby than anything.
I know the DE filter is the absolute best of the best I just don't know if I want to be married to it again all summer long It seems as if that filter is more of a hobby than anything.
- May 23, 2015
- 24,492
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
A clear pool is NOT an indication of a clean pool. You can have crystal clear, or what you THINK is clear, water and there is still algae growing in it. Planktonic (free floating) algae can not be seen with the eye. Only when it accumulates into sessile mats or large clusters do you start to see coloration and turbidity in the water. Your filter is telling you what the problem is - algae that is reproducing at a fast rate. The answer is to accurately test your water yourself (I’m willing to bet you have some serious imbalance caused by too much stabilizer) and to perform a SLAM to eradicate the algae. You can’t do a SLAM well without a proper test kit and it’s not a one-off process - it requires consistently high chlorine levels until all the exit conditions are met. Pool stores want you to believe that their chemicals will be a “one & done” success and nothing is further from the truth.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,236
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- 12300
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- Plaster
- Chlorine
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- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Your filter is doing the job you expect of it. But it needs your help.
Backwash and recharge when the filter pressure rises by 25% of clean pressure.
Your DE filter is going to need several more backwashing/recharge cycles before you are done with your SLAM Process.
Get a test kit - Test Kits Compared
You have algae - even your filter is trying to tell you that (and pretty much everyone who responded to this thread).
Take charge of your pool and use the methods here at TFP.
A whole slew of us are here to assist you along the way.
But you need to decide if you want to have a trouble free pool.
BTW - you didn't really "SLAM" your pool before you closed at you didn't have one of the recommended test kits to test the pool water. You did a one time "shock" by elevating the FC to some unknown lever and then closed the pool.
Backwash and recharge when the filter pressure rises by 25% of clean pressure.
Your DE filter is going to need several more backwashing/recharge cycles before you are done with your SLAM Process.
Get a test kit - Test Kits Compared
You have algae - even your filter is trying to tell you that (and pretty much everyone who responded to this thread).
Take charge of your pool and use the methods here at TFP.
A whole slew of us are here to assist you along the way.
But you need to decide if you want to have a trouble free pool.
BTW - you didn't really "SLAM" your pool before you closed at you didn't have one of the recommended test kits to test the pool water. You did a one time "shock" by elevating the FC to some unknown lever and then closed the pool.
Well, I do want a trouble free pool. That's why I am here, I am trying to learn the best way to take care of our pool instead of going by the unhelpful pool store has taught me. Its gonna be a little while before I can get the testing products recommended to me so I am gonna be on my own for a bit I guess.
Use PoolMath and add 5ppm of liquid chlorine a day until the kit comes. It will help things from getting worse, but it also won't perform any miracles so time is of the essence.
We walk folks through it, around the world, on the daily. When we all have the same test kit, it's like we are standing and testing beside you. All you have to do is report the #s with a kit that we know how to use, and we'll tell you what to do. It doesn't even have to make sense at first. You can pick it up as you go along and we will rewind and repeat until it starts making sense. There is no learning like doing, and you'll catch on quick. I promise.
Thank you! I hope I do catch on quick, my wife really wants to swim this year lol I just installed it on my phone.Use PoolMath and add 5ppm of liquid chlorine a day until the kit comes. It will help things from getting worse, but it also won't perform any miracles so time is of the essence.
We walk folks through it, around the world, on the daily. When we all have the same test kit, it's like we are standing and testing beside you. All you have to do is report the #s with a kit that we know how to use, and we'll tell you what to do. It doesn't even have to make sense at first. You can pick it up as you go along and we will rewind and repeat until it starts making sense. There is no learning like doing, and you'll catch on quick. I promise.
Apologies in advance because the book of TFP is 4 inches thick and makes an ominous thud when you place it on your table. But every last iota of it is stupid simple, once you focus on each little part. You will be your biggest hurdle and we'll help get you over the lack of confidence. I documented my struggles to help others feel better.
New to testing
My own kit sat on my work bench for weeks because I was not a rocket scientist. I still have the red mark from the
when I actually tried and it was stupid easy.Well I am gonna order the taylor 2006c kit? This week, I'm hoping that's the correct one.Apologies in advance because the book of TFP is 4 inches thick and makes an ominous thud when you place it on your table. But every last iota of it is stupid simple, once you focus on each little part. You will be your biggest hurdle and we'll help get you over the lack of confidence. I documented my struggles to help others feel better.
New to testing
My own kit sat on my work bench for weeks because I was not a rocket scientist. I still have the red mark from the
For the price of the k2006C, get the TFpro from tftestkits.net instead. It includes a $48 stirring device and is the hands down winner.
It's also guaranteed fresh, unlike the k2006c which may have sat on a shelf somewhere for an undisclosed amount of time. And the tftestkits people are quick to step in with any issues to make it right. Amazon can be great too, but its not garaunteed. It's really a no brainer for the same price.
From a testing standpoint, they both use the same Taylor reagents and either kit will get you going.
MITBeta
Gold Supporter
- May 28, 2020
- 1,235
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Don’t delay! The sooner you get your kit, the sooner your filter problem goes away.
Yes. For newbs and those with a swamp, they will be testing far above normal frequency and will exhaust the supplies quickly.
Algee, can I ask you how you have been sanitizing your pool since you started taking care of it? Have you been using tablets in a floater or in the skimmer?
I have read this entire post and your sanitizing method could be one of your biggest hurdles to get back on track this season.
I have read this entire post and your sanitizing method could be one of your biggest hurdles to get back on track this season.