Best way to dispose of used DE

[changeyez]

I am looking for ways to dispose of the used DE in the Quad Cartridge DE Filter. My equipment pad is all concrete and there is not place to flush, rinse the cartridges off that seems to be good. How are other people capturing the DE during the cleaning of their DE filter and then disposing of it? Because my filters is a cartridge type DE filter, backwashing doesn't really do much so I tear down the filter and wash off the spent DE two times per year.

Thank you!

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I have no requirement to capture spent DE so I simply rinse my cartridges in a corner of the property where no one really goes and it simply mixes into the soil in that area. Some areas have strict capture requirements for DE which makes owning a DE filter impossible.

If you have no capture requirements, then just use an area where people tread the least. If you do have capture requirements, then you’ll need to shop vac out the tank and rinse the cartridges in a large bucket/trough to capture as much DE as you can. Let it dry out and then transfer it to a waste bag.

 

[JamesW]

Maybe just switch to regular non-DE cartridge filters.

 

[changeyez]

I have no requirement to capture spent DE so I simply rinse my cartridges in a corner of the property where no one really goes and it simply mixes into the soil in that area. Some areas have strict capture requirements for DE which makes owning a DE filter impossible.

If you have no capture requirements, then just use an area where people tread the least. If you do have capture requirements, then you’ll need to shop vac out the tank and rinse the cartridges in a large bucket/trough to capture as much DE as you can. Let it dry out and then transfer it to a waste bag.

I live in California so definitely have capture requirements. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[changeyez]

Maybe just switch to regular non-DE cartridge filters.

I do have some standard cartridges coming today to try out. Way cheaper than buying an entirely new filter.

 

[JamesW]

As long as the dimensions are the same for length, inside diameter and outside diameter, it should work and no more DE problems.

 

[ajw22]

I live in California so definitely have capture requirements. Thanks for the ideas!

A DE separation tank can be put on the backwash line.

Separation Tank 100

Quarter turn locking-ring provides quick and easy access for removing debris bag. Offers 2 in. x 2 1/2 in. unionized fittings. Debris bag holds up to 10 lbs. of D.E.

www.pentair.com

ProGrid DE Separation Tank | Filters | In Ground Pool Filters - Hayward Pool Products

Designed to work with vertical grid DE filters, with 80 square feet of filtration area, the ProGrid DE Separation tank is ideal for water conservation and savings during backwashing by returning chemically treated backwash water to the pool.

www.hayward-pool.com

 

[JamesW]

The Quad DE does not really backwash well.

At best, you might get about 30% of the DE to come off in a backwash and you still have to hose the cartridges to get them clean.

 

[changeyez]

A DE separation tank can be put on the backwash line.

Separation Tank 100

Quarter turn locking-ring provides quick and easy access for removing debris bag. Offers 2 in. x 2 1/2 in. unionized fittings. Debris bag holds up to 10 lbs. of D.E.

www.pentair.com

ProGrid DE Separation Tank | Filters | In Ground Pool Filters - Hayward Pool Products

Designed to work with vertical grid DE filters, with 80 square feet of filtration area, the ProGrid DE Separation tank is ideal for water conservation and savings during backwashing by returning chemically treated backwash water to the pool.

www.hayward-pool.com

It's not about backwashing (doesn't work well with Cartridge DE filters anyways. And if I do want to backwash I can run the waste to my sewer clean out with a long backwash hose. It's when I want to tear down the filter and wash down the cartridges that are coated with DE.

 

[changeyez]

The Quad DE does not really backwash well.

At best, you might get about 30% of the DE to come off in a backwash and you still have to hose the cartridges to get them clean.

That is definitely my experience as well.

 

[Jimrahbe]

In the DFW area it is a requirement to backwash to the sanitary sewer. Not the storm drain, but the house sewer system.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[changeyez]

In the DFW area it is a requirement to backwash to the sanitary sewer. Not the storm drain, but the house sewer system.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Same here in my area of Northern California (i'm surprised they haven't "banned" DE yet to be honest.)