In my second season as a pool owner now. Inherited a DE filter (details in sig), and last year, concerned about some of the health/env risks of DE, I decided to try the cellulose alternatives (picked Zeofiber).
I don't know if it's because of the "finger style" of the Perflex filter, but I have had terrible luck with the Zeofiber. I use only the recommended amount per their packaging (6 measuring cups for my ~25 sq ft model). Also, I had done a "deep clean" of the DE from the filter elements before switching to Zeofiber, again as recommended.
The main problem is that it cakes up like crazy, and causes pressure to be really high. Backwashing is frequently ineffective - on two occasions, the backwash drain outlet was completely caked with fiber gunk that I had to tease out manually. I never had this issue with months of DE use. Backwashing was pretty easy.
I'm giving up on fiber for now and going back to DE. Also, to get away from the backwashing hassle as a whole, and because the current setup is antiquated (for energy and water usage), I'm investigating a 420 sq ft cartridge filter with a variable speed pump.
Does anyone have any similar stories, or maybe even ideas as to what I was doing wrong?
Recommendations or warnings for cartridge filters and VS pumps also welcome.
Thanks.
I don't know if it's because of the "finger style" of the Perflex filter, but I have had terrible luck with the Zeofiber. I use only the recommended amount per their packaging (6 measuring cups for my ~25 sq ft model). Also, I had done a "deep clean" of the DE from the filter elements before switching to Zeofiber, again as recommended.
The main problem is that it cakes up like crazy, and causes pressure to be really high. Backwashing is frequently ineffective - on two occasions, the backwash drain outlet was completely caked with fiber gunk that I had to tease out manually. I never had this issue with months of DE use. Backwashing was pretty easy.
I'm giving up on fiber for now and going back to DE. Also, to get away from the backwashing hassle as a whole, and because the current setup is antiquated (for energy and water usage), I'm investigating a 420 sq ft cartridge filter with a variable speed pump.
Does anyone have any similar stories, or maybe even ideas as to what I was doing wrong?
Recommendations or warnings for cartridge filters and VS pumps also welcome.
Thanks.
