How often does everyone clean DE Filter grids

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tassmannn

tassmannn

Member
Jun 5, 2018
18
St. Marks/Fl
Pool Size
13000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
I saw a thread from a long time ago explaining DE filter Backwash and cleaning of grids ( DE Filter Cleaning Tutorial )
I was wondering how often I do I take apart and clean grids? We replaced the Grids in Dec, and pressure is in operating range.
 
Many DE filter users do not backwash their filters. Instead they choose to tear them down each time they need a cleaning.
A filter needs to be clean once the filter pressure increases 20%-25% above clean pressure.

Disassemble and clean your DE filter completely. Recharge with the correct amount of DE. Record the clean filter pressure when running the pump at 3000-3450 rpm. Clean the filter with the pressure increases 20%-25% above the clean pressure (when running the pump at the same rpm as above).
 
I do not backwash my DE filter.

I'm in a colder climate, but typically open in mid-March and close in mid-November. I charge my filter at opening and typically need to clean it once during the season. So, when it does need to be cleaned I will do a full tear down and fully clean the grids.

Watch your pressure gauge. Clean your filter when the pressure rises 25% from your clean pressure.

If you do backwash, you'll only need to add about 75-80% of the DE back in. Backwashing will not remove all of the DE.
 
So, Don't backwash at all, and clean off grids when the pressure gets to 20-25? It makes sense, but it is definitely more work, LOL. My last set of grids lasted about 5 years, and I only backwashed. I'll break it down next time and clean the grids.
 
tassmannn said:
So, Don't backwash at all, and clean off grids when the pressure gets to 20-25? It makes sense, but it is definitely more work, LOL. My last set of grids lasted about 5 years, and I only backwashed. I'll break it down next time and clean the grids.
Click to expand...
No, not when the pressure gets to 20-25.
Clean when the pressure rises 20-25 percent above clean filter pressure when the pump is running at or above 3000 rpm. If your clean pressure is 10 psi, clean when pressure rises to 12-12.5 psi. If clean pressure is 17 psi, clean when pressure rises to 20-22 psi.

It really doesn't take more time if you're including cleaning up the old DE. And you will wind up with a clean filter rather than one that is only 80-ish percent clean.

When you add the new DE, mix with water into a slurry and pour into the skimmer with pump running on high speed. This will provide a more consistent coating of the filter grides.
 
Clean it when the pressure rises 25% FROM the clean pressure.

Break down the filter and fully clean the grids. Reassemble the filter. Run your pump at ~3000 rpm and take note of the pressure. This is your starting pressure. Resume normal operation. Periodically, bump your pump to 3000 RPM and check the pressure. If the current pressure is 25% higher than the starting pressure it is time to break it down and clean it again.

IF you want to backwash, it is ok to do. The procedure is the same, take note of the starting pressure and backwash it when the pressure has risen by 25%. If you do backwash, you will only need to add roughly 75-80% of the DE required to fully charge your filter.
 
What exact filter are we talking about?
Since you're in Florida, chances are you have a small filter (as FL pool builders tend to install dinky filters).

Fill out your signature with pool, all pool equipment (include manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
This assists us in provide you help without needing to ask you each time for this important information.
 
proavia said:
What exact filter are we talking about?
Since you're in Florida, chances are you have a small filter (as FL pool builders tend to install dinky filters).

Fill out your signature with pool, all pool equipment (include manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
This assists us in provide you help without needing to ask you each time for this important information.
Click to expand...
It's a Hayward Pro-Grid D.E. Pool Filter element DEX3600DC. Updated Signature too :)
 

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tassmannn said:
I saw a thread from a long time ago explaining DE filter Backwash and cleaning of grids ( DE Filter Cleaning Tutorial )
I was wondering how often I do I take apart and clean grids? We replaced the Grids in Dec, and pressure is in operating range.
Click to expand...
I backwash monthly or earlier if needed (which is rare).
I do a thorough tear down of the filter and clean and inspect the grids annually. Also lube the orings on the relief valve (Pentair model). Sometimes need to do the complete tear down twice in the year if the neighbors trees droppings are more than usual.
 
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