Always backwash filter after opening?

[Water_man]

When I opened my pool I could see the bottom, but water wasn’t very clear. There was no sign of algae – I made sure to prevent it by circulating chlorine with a sub pump a week or two before opening. The water got crystal clear in two days or so and after about three days the DE filter pressure went up by 8 and then it dropped again by 6, so it’s now 12 instead of the original 10. I wonder why the pressure went up and down and if I should backwash no matter what the pressure is now.

 

[eelhc]

When I opened my pool I could see the bottom, but water wasn’t very clear. There was no sign of algae – I made sure to prevent it by circulating chlorine with a sub pump a week or two before opening. The water got crystal clear in two days or so and after about three days the DE filter pressure went up by 8 and then it dropped again by 6, so it’s now 12 instead of the original 10. I wonder why the pressure went up and down and if I should backwash no matter what the pressure is now.

Each season, after opening when the water chemistry is where I want... I backwash whether needed or not. I also backwash at least once a month regardless of what the pressure reading is. Backwashing takes less than 15 minutes, DE is cheap and I have big enough a property so waste water is not an issue. The pump/filter works less harder this way.

 

[Water_man]

Well, you talked me into doing it It took way over 15 minutes, with all the hose couplings and clamps, and my wife almost getting hosed by backwash water, but who's counting. Thanks for the pep talk