De filter challenges: clumps of Dae and high pressure

[CJohnson_007]

I have been struggling with my DE filter a lot this year (EC-75). We had some algae that clogged it up earlier this summer but I eventually got that under control. For the past month, I have been struggling to keep the filter running. The pressure gets really high within 30 min of turning on the pump. The jets stop blowing water back into the pool and there is no suction on in the skimmer. I have taken apart the filter 3x this summer. The first two time I sprayed down the fingers with the hose, the final time I soaked the fingers in muriatic acid. None of this has been a long term solution; by the end of the day, I'm back to where I started. When I backwash the filter, the DE comes out in clumps as you can see in the attached images (it looks like cottage cheese) rather than what I'm used to seeing. Bumping the filter doesn't help. Help! What do I need to do next?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Welcome to TFP

Put a drop of muriatic acid on one of the white clumps and see if it fizzes. Can you post a link or take a photo of the DE product you're using. Have you used any flocculants or clarifiers?

 

[1poolman1]

I have been struggling with my DE filter a lot this year (EC-75). We had some algae that clogged it up earlier this summer but I eventually got that under control. For the past month, I have been struggling to keep the filter running. The pressure gets really high within 30 min of turning on the pump. The jets stop blowing water back into the pool and there is no suction on in the skimmer. I have taken apart the filter 3x this summer. The first two time I sprayed down the fingers with the hose, the final time I soaked the fingers in muriatic acid. None of this has been a long term solution; by the end of the day, I'm back to where I started. When I backwash the filter, the DE comes out in clumps as you can see in the attached images (it looks like cottage cheese) rather than what I'm used to seeing. Bumping the filter doesn't help. Help! What do I need to do next?View attachment 600976View attachment 600977

Did you soak the fingers in a high-pH product (TSP, filter-cleaning solution) before using the muriatic acid? If not, you will probably have to replace the fingers. There are always oils that get onto the fabric. If it isn't removed before using acid, it forms a coating that can't be removed and will cause the issues you are having. It looks like a lot of copper-based algaecide was used. Algae in pools contributes a lot of oils.

While the following is referencing cartridge filters, it applies to DE as well, from Unicell"

Acid Wash​

Acid Washing is perhaps the biggest single factor leading to premature cartridge failure.
For years, service technicians and homeowners have acid washed D.E. grids. However, cartridge elements do not have the protective D.E. powder coating that grids have and can be permanently damaged by the acid. As a rule of thumb, acid wash only when required, if at all, and never without thoroughly cleaning the element with a cartridge degreaser first.
Here is a simple test to determine if acid washing is required.
After thoroughly cleaning the cartridge with a degreasing agent, flush the cartridge with a garden hose to remove all traces of soap, etc. Now apply several drops of acid directly to a small area of the filter media. If bubbling occurs, this indicates a build-up of calcium or minerals, and you should proceed with a mild acid soak (see Unicel Cleaning Instructions for more details). If no bubbling is observed, your cartridge most likely does not require acid washing.

 

[CJohnson_007]

Welcome to TFP

Put a drop of muriatic acid on one of the white clumps and see if it fizzes. Can you post a link or take a photo of the DE product you're using. Have you used any flocculants or clarifiers?

It does fizz and then dissolves into a yellow puddle. I haven't used any flocculant or clarifiers this year. This is the DE I use. I purchased it from the pool company who has serviced the pool since was installed (long before we moved in).

 

[CJohnson_007]

Did you soak the fingers in a high-pH product (TSP, filter-cleaning solution) before using the muriatic acid? If not, you will probably have to replace the fingers. There are always oils that get onto the fabric. If it isn't removed before using acid, it forms a coating that can't be removed and will cause the issues you are having. It looks like a lot of copper-based algaecide was used. Algae in pools contributes a lot of oils.

While the following is referencing cartridge filters, it applies to DE as well, from Unicell"

Acid Wash​

Acid Washing is perhaps the biggest single factor leading to premature cartridge failure.
For years, service technicians and homeowners have acid washed D.E. grids. However, cartridge elements do not have the protective D.E. powder coating that grids have and can be permanently damaged by the acid. As a rule of thumb, acid wash only when required, if at all, and never without thoroughly cleaning the element with a cartridge degreaser first.
Here is a simple test to determine if acid washing is required.
After thoroughly cleaning the cartridge with a degreasing agent, flush the cartridge with a garden hose to remove all traces of soap, etc. Now apply several drops of acid directly to a small area of the filter media. If bubbling occurs, this indicates a build-up of calcium or minerals, and you should proceed with a mild acid soak (see Unicel Cleaning Instructions for more details). If no bubbling is observed, your cartridge most likely does not require acid washing.

Thanks for all the info. To answer your first question, no, at the direction of my pool service guys, I removed the filter, rinsed it, and soaked the fingers in diluted muriatic acid (purchased from them) for about 8 hrs. I rinsed it again and then reassembled the filter. We have used more algaecide than last year to deal with the algae this summer.

The pool company is going to give me a loaner filter and they are going to clean mine to hopefully solve the problem. I'll get some degreaser and keep it around for the next time I have to clean the filter.