How long can I run without DE?

[cnr1089]

So, my pool pump was tripping the breaker when going from high to low speed (was happening for a week, waiting for the pool company to check it out). I decide to do a backwash (all in high speed), to see if there was some variable I wasn't considering. After the backwash, the pump stopped coming on all together.

The pump was just replaced. I plan on closing the pool in the next few days. But I want to run the pump just to get things back in order (actually, pool is crystal clear, there are just a few leaves I want to take care of). Is it bad for me to run my pool without DE? Can I do it for a few days (I get that it will not filter the smaller things).

 

[Bama Rambler]

I wouldn't recommend running it at all without DE in it. The problem is not that it just don't filter small stuff, it's that it could possibly clog the grids permanently. Since you're talking a few days and not a few hours, it's well worth the time and trouble to recharge it.

 

[JohnT]

Run on recirculate if you just need skimmer action.

 

[mpnret]

From the Hayward DE Filter owner's manual: "To avoid damages to the grid elements, DO NOT operate the filter for more than a minute or two without the D.E.
pre-coat."