Hello everyone, Hoping to get some insight from the pro's here! We have a Doughboy Sequel 2 DE Filter and are having some problems with it, last summer in our area the pool owners got hammered with a algae bloom (my wife blames me because of my name!) and after trying to get it all cleaned we have been running into problems with our filter now! We have takin it apart and cleaned it numerus times but now it seems to filter for about 15minutes and gets clogged, backwash it add more DE filter and get 15 more mins and clogged! It did this all last season and now after it was cleaned again to be put away last year, its doing it again! I am ready to give up and buy a sand filter! Any Ideas why this is happening?
Deep cleaning a DE filter!
- Thread starter 69algee
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,857
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Very typical for DE filters when trying to remove algae. Are you actually following the TFP SLAM Process? Do you have a proper test kit with test results to share? Those are key to getting rid of the algae so that the filter can capture the dead stuff. If you have a MPV, you can run on recirculate periodically if you have to step away from the pool for a while, but because of the filtration capability of a DE filter, you will be tied to it for a while.
Welcome to TFP!
We got rid of the algae last year already but since we got rid of it the filter is acting up. I have takin that thing apart 23-30 times last year to clean it and I am gonna try again tonight.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,857
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
It's very common for owners just opening up for the new swim season to at a minimum perform an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. This could prove valuable to know if you do or do not have an organic problem in the water contributing to the rise in filter pressure. Easy to do with your TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C test kit as opposed to opening up the filter again.
98% of filter issues we see are chemistry problems where the filter is removing what you can't see. (Algae). It is possible to keep the inevitable bloom at bay where it is present but not visible. When that's the case, which again is quite often, the filter is overrun quickly looking like a mechanical problem.
OCLT like Pat linked above.
1) Skimmer socks are your friend. They act as a pre-filter for your DE filter
2) You say your cleaned you DE filter, but how did you clean it? Did you just hose off the grids / fingers or did you acid wash them?
2) You say your cleaned you DE filter, but how did you clean it? Did you just hose off the grids / fingers or did you acid wash them?
I took it apart hosed off the grids and sprayed it off
and acid washed/soaked them.
reggiehammond
Gold Supporter
- Oct 4, 2020
- 1,509
- Pool Size
- 30000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
If you cleaned it that many times, you didn't get rid of the algae. It's the continuous algae bloom that's causing the filter to plug - if you can follow the SLAM process, you will eliminate the problem.
Just cleaning the filter won't do anything for you - as once water starts flowing, the dead algae cells will begin clogging.
It's only once you completely eliminate the algae, not just hold it down to a visually ok level, will you actually stop the issue.
Well, unfortunately I do not have either of those kits. I just have the cheapo pool store one.
That's OK. None of us knew what we needed, which is how the overwhelming majority of us got here. Now you made it too. Use the collective wisdom of the 1/3 of a million people who beat you here, to your advantage.
I'll be honest, its a bit overwhelming for me at times!That's OK. None of us knew what we needed, which is how the overwhelming majority of us got here. Now you made it too. Use the collective wisdom of the 1/3 of a million people who beat you here, to your advantage.
Again. It was for most of us. We never forgot how bad it sucked and will HAPPILY help it suck less for you. We got you now.
MITBeta
Gold Supporter
- May 28, 2020
- 1,219
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
I was you in the summer of 2019. Clear, "balanced" pool, but with a DE filter plugging continuously.
TFP set me right. Get the test kit and the collective wisdom here will put you on the right path.
Welcome to the club!
TFP set me right. Get the test kit and the collective wisdom here will put you on the right path.
Welcome to the club!
I have run years with a DE filter and never had plugging due to Algae. Follow The proven methods on this site and pool care will be a lot easier and less stressful.
Well I plan on giving that a shot! Been using Bioguard all the time with the exception of last year and everything was fine, last year we were kinda forced to use HTH products and then this! my wife called the pool company for opening this year and all they did was dump in some shock and left, never said anything to us on what we should do!
reggiehammond
Gold Supporter
- Oct 4, 2020
- 1,509
- Pool Size
- 30000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Pretty typical - you either want to gouge your eyes out from the $$ of unnecessary and overpriced magic potions they push - OR - you can't figure out how a company could do so little actual work!
I was on the Mineral Springs turnip truck for years. You think regular Bioguard stuffs is expensive????? Ooof. Their premiere line makes it look CHEAP.
I think a little of both! Oh! Lets not mention how unhelpful they have been after purchasing the pool and equipment from them a couple of years ago! I don't even wanna start that story!
- Jul 17, 2019
- 3,719
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I'm curious why you would take it apart rather than just backwash? Sure its a deeper clean but usually more of an annual item.
Also, you are recharging the filter with new DE after cleaning, right?