DE powder goes back into pool every-time I clean the filter cartridge and re-charge

[run53]

I must be doing something wrong when I clean my cartridge as when I start up the pump after cleaning (before I re-charge with DE powder), I can see powder coming out of the jets. This has to be old powder because I haven't put the new stuff in yet. So I am pretty sure some of the old powder from the filter is getting into the pump return lines when I perform this process. In fact this time, I noticed old DE powder in the pump basket (which I know shouldn't be an issue because that is the suction side). What I can't see is if any of the old powder gets in to the return lines, although I think it must because I saw it coming out of the return jets when I started up the pump after putting the filter together.

I know the DE powder is not getting through the cartridge because after a few days of vacuuming, I never see it accumulating on the floor again.

Is there a trick to keep the old DE from entering the pool lines when I clean my filter cartridge? I read the sticky on cleaning the cartridges but my filter setup is different. I don't have a backwash function(no valves). All I have is a ball cock valve on the bottom of the filter that diverts water out of the filter as opposed to back to the returns.

Here is a pic of my equipment.....

 

[1poolman1]

I must be doing something wrong when I clean my cartridge as when I start up the pump after cleaning (before I re-charge with DE powder), I can see powder coming out of the jets. This has to be old powder because I haven't put the new stuff in yet. So I am pretty sure some of the old powder from the filter is getting into the pump return lines when I perform this process. In fact this time, I noticed old DE powder in the pump basket (which I know shouldn't be an issue because that is the suction side). What I can't see is if any of the old powder gets in to the return lines, although I think it must because I saw it coming out of the return jets when I started up the pump after putting the filter together.

I know the DE powder is not getting through the cartridge because after a few days of vacuuming, I never see it accumulating on the floor again.

Is there a trick to keep the old DE from entering the pool lines when I clean my filter cartridge? I read the sticky on cleaning the cartridges but my filter setup is different. I don't have a backwash function(no valves). All I have is a ball cock valve on the bottom of the filter that diverts water out of the filter as opposed to back to the returns.

Here is a pic of my equipment.....View attachment 613115

When you pull the DE cartridge from the tank it is likely that some DE falls into the return port that the cartridge sits on. It happens with the debris in the cartridge version of that filter as well. Draining the tank before removing the cartridge should help, but it seems that some will almost always get into that port.
Do you have timeclocks on any of the equipment? You would find it much more convenient.

 

[run53]

Do you have timeclocks on any of the equipment? You would find it much more convenient.

I have a timer on the pump....when the pump turns on, it allows power to the Polaris Vac, the SWG and the heater. Is that what you mean? Not sure I understand how that would help solve this issue though.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

One thing I would suggest you check, clean AND lube EVERY TIME YOU CLEAN THE FILTER is o-ring #13 (lucky number, that one …) -



I have a Pentair QuadDE filter and when I take it apart for cleaning, EVERY sealing surface and o-ring gets a thorough inspection, cleaning and reapplication of silicone lube. Also, check the air bleed screen to make sure it is intact and sealed.

A small gush of DE is normal when recharging a DE filter. But it should stop very quickly. When recharging you should replace the filter element, get the filter sealed and filled with water with all the air bled out using the high flow air bleed at the top. Then close the bleed valve, turn the pump on high speed and begin recharging DE through the skimmer. I usually mix up 2lbs of DE in a 5 gal bucket with a few gallons of pool water and then pour the slurry slowly into the skimmer. I watch the returns and make sure there is no giant plume of DE. There is usually a small cloud from the jet that lasts for a few seconds and then stops. I continue adding more DE slurry until the recharge is complete and then I set the filter to run continuously for 24 hours. It can run at high or low speed (whatever is programmed to run) but I ensure there is a constant flow for 24 hours. Fresh DE is clean and doesn’t like to stick to anything so you need to run the filter so that the DE builds up on the cartridges and sticks to it.

 

[1poolman1]

I have a timer on the pump....when the pump turns on, it allows power to the Polaris Vac, the SWG and the heater. Is that what you mean? Not sure I understand how that would help solve this issue though.

That was a second item. I have seen many systems with switches like yours and no clocks. If you only have one, a second for the Polaris pump is recommended so that it only runs, automatically, a set number of hours (usually no more than 3) and does not come on simultaneously with the filter pump as that will, eventually, cause it to be damaged.
As the to original problem, again:
When you pull the DE cartridge from the tank it is likely that some DE falls into the return port that the cartridge sits on. It happens with the debris in the cartridge version of that filter as well. Draining the tank before removing the cartridge should help, but it seems that some will almost always get into that port.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Draining the tank before removing the cartridge should help, but it seems that some will almost always get into that port.

What I learned to do with cleaning my DE filter is the following -

1. Backwash the filter for 1-1/2 minutes or so until the backwash line is running clear. Stop the pump.

2. Open the air bleed at the top of the filter with the push-pull valve still in back wash position. This causes all the water in the filter to drain out to just below the intake port.

3. Open the bottom drain and let the rest of the water out.

4. Use a garden hose to wash down the internals with the bottom drain open to rinse off most of the DE.

Then remove the cartridge elements and internals and clean everything off. By using the backwash line as a drain, most of the water leaves the filter and the the remaining DE gets rinsed out the bottom drain hole. This way, when I pull the quad cartridges and bottom manifold, there’s pretty much no DE around to fall into open pipes.

Suffice it to say, DE filters are a total PITA which is why my next filter will be a cartridge filter. Not that it’s any easier to clean but, not having to mess around with DE mud is a nice benefit.

 

[1poolman1]

What I learned to do with cleaning my DE filter is the following -

1. Backwash the filter for 1-1/2 minutes or so until the backwash line is running clear. Stop the pump.

2. Open the air bleed at the top of the filter with the push-pull valve still in back wash position. This causes all the water in the filter to drain out to just below the intake port.

3. Open the bottom drain and let the rest of the water out.

4. Use a garden hose to wash down the internals with the bottom drain open to rinse off most of the DE.

Then remove the cartridge elements and internals and clean everything off. By using the backwash line as a drain, most of the water leaves the filter and the the remaining DE gets rinsed out the bottom drain hole. This way, when I pull the quad cartridges and bottom manifold, there’s pretty much no DE around to fall into open pipes.

Suffice it to say, DE filters are a total PITA which is why my next filter will be a cartridge filter. Not that it’s any easier to clean but, not having to mess around with DE mud is a nice benefit.

Got rid of my DE decades ago. The OP has no backwash valve so draining the filter before removing the cartridge is the only way to get the dirty-water below the return port, and even then some DE will usually fall of the cartridge into it. You can try rinsing the tank out before re-assembling, but a little usually gets through. Not usually enough to worry about, you get more dust during the day.
Had the cartridge version of that filter for several years and always had to remove the screen for my Polaris to let some of the debris get into the pool before clogging it.
When I installed my Pentair filter I also changed the location of the line for the booster and put in a valve. Now, just shut the valve, clean the filter (can't stand the location of the drain port), reassemble, run the filter for a few seconds to let any debris get back into the pool, and open the valve. Can't wait to forget to open that valve and burn up a booster.
Nothing is foolproof.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Got rid of my DE decades ago. The OP has no backwash valve so draining the filter before removing the cartridge is the only way to get the dirty-water below the return port, and even then some DE will usually fall of the cartridge into it. You can try rinsing the tank out before re-assembling, but a little usually gets through. Not usually enough to worry about, you get more dust during the day.
Had the cartridge version of that filter for several years and always had to remove the screen for my Polaris to let some of the debris get into the pool before clogging it.
When I installed my Pentair filter I also changed the location of the line for the booster and put in a valve. Now, just shut the valve, clean the filter (can't stand the location of the drain port), reassemble, run the filter for a few seconds to let any debris get back into the pool, and open the valve. Can't wait to forget to open that valve and burn up a booster.
Nothing is foolproof.

Yup, the Pentair drain plugs are the stupidest design ever. All they would have to do is change the mold for the bottom tank so that the plug is horizontally positioned, not vertical. Then a person can easily grab it, open it, and let the water drain out. It would be an insignificant change from an engineering perspective. But I’m sure some bean-counter somewhere in the finance department pitches a hissy-fit anytime someone mentions a possible change request to a supplier.

 

[run53]

All good things for me to consider and try......as poolman1 says, it's probably inevitable that some of the DE will get into the return lines when pulling the cartridge. It's not the end of the world as a few straight days of vacuuming cleans up the dust that settles on the bottom. I will be more diligent about following the procedure to make sure it is drained properly before removing the cartridge.

 

[run53]

I cleaned and re-charged the filter on Friday because we had the liner replaced and I had to fill and rebalance the water to prep for the closing. So the DE powder re-charge was only 4 days ago. I just closed up the pool today and when I opened the filter tank, I noticed that most of the powder had settled to the bottom. I've never seen this before. Is this because it's only been a few days since I re-charged with DE? Does it really take that long for the DE to stick to the cartridge. When I removed the cartridge, there were several areas/fins that had no DE stuck to them yet. This along with more than usual DE powder on the pool floor and I'm starting to worry that my filter has a problem. I DID NOT run the pump 24 hours as suggested to try to get the powder to stick( I didn't know to do that until it was posted here). Could that be the problem?

Some pictures showing the bottom of the filter filled with powder after pulling out the cartridge , also the bottom of the cartridge where most of the powder is as opposed to the fins......

 

[JoyfulNoise]

That looks similar to my QuadDE filter. DE is never consistent about where it sticks. And, yes, fresh DE doesn’t stick to anything. The whole point is that it will load up the cartridge media with a small amount of DE and the rest will fall to the bottom. As more “crud” and “gunk” gets stopped by the DE, more fresh DE will stick to it. In the world of filter technology - fresh/new filters don’t stop as much material as “slightly dirty” filters do. Eventually a filter gets dirty enough that the pressure rises and the flow decreases. But that takes quite a while to happen.

 

[run53]

That looks similar to my QuadDE filter. DE is never consistent about where it sticks. And, yes, fresh DE doesn’t stick to anything. The whole point is that it will load up the cartridge media with a small amount of DE and the rest will fall to the bottom. As more “crud” and “gunk” gets stopped by the DE, more fresh DE will stick to it. In the world of filter technology - fresh/new filters don’t stop as much material as “slightly dirty” filters do. Eventually a filter gets dirty enough that the pressure rises and the flow decreases. But that takes quite a while to happen.

Gotcha thanks.....so sounds like this isn't necessarily a huge issue or unexpected after 4 days of operation with the re-charge. When I checked it 5 days ago before the cleaning, it was as expected (all DE and other junk stuck to the grid) because it was accumulating filth for a couple of months.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Gotcha thanks.....so sounds like this isn't necessarily a huge issue or unexpected after 4 days of operation with the re-charge. When I checked it 5 days ago before the cleaning, it was as expected (all DE and other junk stuck to the grid) because it was accumulating filth for a couple of months.

Yup. That’s how DE does it thing. The microscopic diatom shells slowly build up and stick creating an interlocking layer of thin, perforated silica membranes. Takes time for everything to get coated but it eventually does. The deflector on the inlet port forces the pool water to flush out the bottom of the tank which helps to stir up fresh DE.

 

[DanF]

Suffice it to say, DE filters are a total PITA which is why my next filter will be a cartridge filter. Not that it’s any easier to clean but, not having to mess around with DE mud is a nice benefit.

Got rid of mine a year and a half ago and haven't looked back. PITA is an understatement. Haven't cleaned my cartridge filter yet, based on its lack of pressure movement. I may anyway, just to go through the process. I have a robot vs a suction side cleaner, which probably keeps the filter cleaner.