Experience with Fiber Clean DE filter media

texaspoolman57

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2022
46
Frisco
I recently switched from DE to Fiber Clear DE filter media.

WOW, I love this stuff. Water is sooooo much cleaner. I have never had this sparkling crystal clear waster before.

Pressure rise was not significant after switching for the first time. I made sure my grids were really clean and the filter itself was thoroughly cleaned out.

DE dust is nasty stuff. I am thankful for Fiber Clear product. I don't ever see myself going back to DE media.
 
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Hey TPM !!!!

Being fairly new here, how much of the chemistry reccomendations are you following ? While a seperate filter issuse will certainly cause its own problems, anyone successfully following the guidelines shares your sentiment of the clearest water they ever saw.

A Plain-Jane sand filter even won our picture contest for water clarity, against a forum full of enthusiasts. No small feat, and also a testament that any filter can clear a pool beyond what the eyes can see.

I'm happy you got yours sparkling though, so in that regard, Bravo. :)
 
I've been using it for a few years now.

Seems to filter as well as DE.

Doesn't leave the white crust where I backwash -- it does break down and disappear into the grass

By the same token, it also starts to break down within the filter. Gets sticky, doesn't backwash well. I usually blast the grids clean with a hose every time. Maybe if I backwashed more frequently...

When the pressure rises 25%, its time to backwash. Not next week when it's more convenient. Now. Once it rises, it just skyrockets and the return flow gets visibly slower.

Cellulose fiber degrades from chlorine exposure. It forms a sticky mass that is more difficult to remove than dirty DE and so the recommendation is to backwash more frequently. Also, unlike the pool industry, TFP recommends backwashing a filter once the pressure rises 25% above clean pressure. We also recommend you annually tear down your filter and deep clean it.

FiberClear is a brand name for a cellulose based DE substitute. Quite a number of people on the forum use the cellulose based product. The general consensus is that it is just as good for filtering. However there is some variation in opinions on relatively minor issues. For example, some find it slightly easier to backwash and others find it slightly more difficult to backwash.


^^^These quotes are from individuals that are/were instrumental in developing/supporting TFP Methods. I would recommend that you follow the 25% rise to backwash rule to avoid the stated issues if possible.
 
My only caveat with using any fiber replacement product for DE is to clean it out more frequently. You don’t want it to degrade on the grids an start humming them up.

I only clean out my DE filter once per year and I never backwash so there’s no advantage for to switch to perlite or a fiber alternative. DE dust is only dangerous in a confined space where exposure is measured in hours. Outside in an open environment it present no hazard whatsoever (unless you intentionally use it the wrong way).
 
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