Best way to proceed with hose replacement on DE filter tank?

[ErniesPool]

I have a DE pool system. I need to replace the two hoses that connect the filter to the backflush valve. To do that I will need to drain the water in the filter. But, since I just disassembled and cleaned the grids, I would like to retain the new DE. My understanding is if I open the valve on top of the filter tank, the water will drain from the tank (back into the plumbing) and allow me to replace the two hoses on the inflow and outflow ports of the filter tank. My presumption here is the DE that has flowed back into the plumbing will be redeposited on the grids when I prime and restart the system.

Is this correct? Is there a better solution to my problem?

 

[PoolStored]

Is the pad above or below the pool?
Do you have a main drain?
Post a few pictures of the equipment pad so we can see what you are dealing with...

 

[ErniesPool]

Is the pad above or below the pool?
Do you have a main drain?
Post a few pictures of the equipment pad so we can see what you are dealing with...

Yes, I have a main drain, and yes, the pump sits above the pool by about a foot or so. The pictures attached show the two black hoses that need replacing that connect the backflush valve to the DE filter.

 

[PoolStored]

To answer your question, given your configuration, the DE can go backward in the plumbing, and potentially out of the skimmers and or main drain into the pool.

DE is relatively cheap. I'd backwash, then drain the tank, then replace the hoses.

Better yet, while you are doing it, I'd fix the connection. The hoses that are in place are not best practice. The slide valve is intended to be connected directly to the filter with unions (see connection C and D).

 

[ErniesPool]

If you mean hard plumbed, that is not possible without some major replumbing. For reasons known only to manufacturers, the filter and valve fittings are offset by maybe 1/4", requiring some kind of flexible connection. Hoses have worked but they have been on awhile, have gotten stiff, and started dripping.

My valve also doesn't have the twist fittings shown in your illustration. If they were ever there, they have been removed by some previous owner or maintenance person.

 

[1poolman1]

If you mean hard plumbed, that is not possible without some major replumbing. For reasons known only to manufacturers, the filter and valve fittings are offset by maybe 1/4", requiring some kind of flexible connection. Hoses have worked but they have been on awhile, have gotten stiff, and started dripping.

My valve also doesn't have the twist fittings shown in your illustration. If they were ever there, they have been removed by some previous owner or maintenance person.

Not a lot you can do to stop some DE from coming out. Shut the system down, open the air relief and let the water drain down. Much of the DE will fall off the grids into the bottom of the tank. Then you can remove the valve with a bit of lose. The mess will look bad, but it shouldn't be a lot of DE. DE is very messy, even in small amounts.
The reason, "know only to the manufacturer" is that is a Sta-Rite backwash valve designed for a different, and very old, filter, well before Pentair bought Sta-Rite and discontinued the one it was made for. It is not the one for a Pentair tank.

 

[ErniesPool]

Not a lot you can do to stop some DE from coming out. Shut the system down, open the air relief and let the water drain down. Much of the DE will fall off the grids into the bottom of the tank. Then you can remove the valve with a bit of lose. The mess will look bad, but it shouldn't be a lot of DE. DE is very messy, even in small amounts.
The reason, "know only to the manufacturer" is that is a Sta-Rite backwash valve designed for a different, and very old, filter, well before Pentair bought Sta-Rite and discontinued the one it was made for. It is not the one for a Pentair tank.

1poolman, do you also recommend backflushing before draining the tank and refilling the DE, or do you suggest just letting the DE fall to the bottom of the tank and back into the system??

 

[1poolman1]

1poolman, do you also recommend backflushing before draining the tank and refilling the DE, or do you suggest just letting the DE fall to the bottom of the tank and back into the system??

That's the best way to minimize the mess, but you will still have some DE flow out when the connectors are removed as a backwash does not ever remove all of it from a filter.