We are at our wits end! We have a Pentair Nautilus DE filter and can't get it to run for more than at most an hour and a half before the pressure is up to at least 30. We have opened it up and washed down filter grids and re-DE'd it more times than we can count. We finally broke down and replaced the whole manifold and all grids with almost no change. The new grids did help with the amount of suction in the skimmers but still only lasted for about an hour. We started with a really green pool and have shocked it, green to cleaned and clear aid'd it but with this limited run time we are only getting so far. The clarity has greatly improved but we are making no headway with the pressure issue. Anyone have any other suggestions?? We are having no issues with air in the lines and all the return values are blowing great when we first start it up so we don't think we have any blockages. Also it's a 48sqft filter and we are adding 5 lbs of DE to a new clean grid system so the amount of DE shouldn't be our problem either. HELP!!
Consistently high pressure after just an hour
- Thread starter Erin Vines
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,486
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
You have an algae problem clogging your filter.
To properly clear an algae problem you need your own test kit like the TF-100 Test Kits (get the XL Option as you will go through a lot of reagent) or the Taylor K-2006C. Test Kits Compared
Also consider getting the Speedstir Magnetic Stirrer It makes testing easier and more accurate.
Then you need to follow our SLAM Process.
Look at that stuff and read ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and ask questions here.
When you get your test kit post your test results here in the format:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Also download PoolMath to track your test results.
You have an algae problem clogging your filter.
To properly clear an algae problem you need your own test kit like the TF-100 Test Kits (get the XL Option as you will go through a lot of reagent) or the Taylor K-2006C. Test Kits Compared
Also consider getting the Speedstir Magnetic Stirrer It makes testing easier and more accurate.
Then you need to follow our SLAM Process.
Look at that stuff and read ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and ask questions here.
When you get your test kit post your test results here in the format:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Also download PoolMath to track your test results.
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But we can't keep it running longer than an hour.... how are we supposed to complete and shocking cycles?
Erin,
Does your DE filter have a multiport valve? If so, you can put it in the circulate mode until you have killed the algae. You will still have to clean your filter a lot.
How big is your pool?
I can drain and refill my 17K pool for about $50 bucks, which is what I would do if I had a lot of algae.. It is just worth my time to spend two weeks screwing with it...
The good news for me is that I follow the TFP process and don't waste any of my money in Pool $tores buying "magic" in a bottle. I have never had a algae bloom...
Thanks,
Jim R.
Does your DE filter have a multiport valve? If so, you can put it in the circulate mode until you have killed the algae. You will still have to clean your filter a lot.
How big is your pool?
I can drain and refill my 17K pool for about $50 bucks, which is what I would do if I had a lot of algae.. It is just worth my time to spend two weeks screwing with it...
The good news for me is that I follow the TFP process and don't waste any of my money in Pool $tores buying "magic" in a bottle. I have never had a algae bloom...
Thanks,
Jim R.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,486
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Please create your signature with details of your pool so we can discuss the safety issues of draining if you want.
As Jim said setting your MPV on RECIRCulate will let water circulate while the chlorine kills the algae. You then do a multistep process or alternating recirculation and filtering and backwashing the filter as you get the algae under control.
As Jim said setting your MPV on RECIRCulate will let water circulate while the chlorine kills the algae. You then do a multistep process or alternating recirculation and filtering and backwashing the filter as you get the algae under control.
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Congratulations on owning the best filter a pool owner can have. You have a DE filter which is doing its job. There is nothing wrong with it. Keep baby sitting it and changing out the filter media. This is the only downside to owning a DE filter. The upside? You're going to clear your swamp in record time verses weeks upon weeks it takes a sand filter to do the same job. Just make sure you have enough DE to take you to the finish line and dont let the pool get swampy in the future.
DE filters dont have recirculate to filter valves. They have bump handles and need torn down to be cleaned. Certainly painful during a SLAM because you can blow through 25+ lbs of DE in 2 days. I promise you, there is nothing wrong with your filter. Stay out of the pool store and stay here for all your pool needs. We'll get you through the first initial steps of testing with your new TF100. You just have to do a little homework in pool school. You're going to love that DE filter once you get past this swamp n clear it.
@Erin Vines please look into purchasing a TF100 from tftestkits.net. This test kit is the greatest investment you can put into your pool. Get the speed stir. It is worth it! Promise you!
I cleared my swamp in less than a week with my DE filter. Sand filters can take up to a month or more. You just have to make the time to devote yourself to this process. Sand filters you dont.
@Erin Vines please look into purchasing a TF100 from tftestkits.net. This test kit is the greatest investment you can put into your pool. Get the speed stir. It is worth it! Promise you!
I cleared my swamp in less than a week with my DE filter. Sand filters can take up to a month or more. You just have to make the time to devote yourself to this process. Sand filters you dont.
Attachments
My DE filter has a 6-way valve on it; Filter, Rinse, Closed, Backwash, Recirculate, Waste.
I was in the same boat as you. I'm still working my filter. It took a month of work because I had a lot of debris in the pool that took time to remove, but once all the debris was out, my water cleared up very nicely. I followed the advice given here and my results have been spectacular.
I probably didn't realize that because I don't have an inground one. Just an above ground one. Lol