Hayward DE Filter - reassembly question

[pgershon]

I cleaned my filter yesterday and reassembled it seemingly successfully. The I noticed the DEX2400CR GENUINE Hayward Pro-Grid Filter Flex Air Relief was left off by mistake. How critical is it to run the filter with this air relief plug? I assume it's just open now. I am going to reassemble the filter again next week to replace the retaining bolt (mine disintegrated and a new one on order). Can I safely leave it running without the air relief for 3-4 days? I am about to pour in chlorine and shock the pool as part of the start-up.

 

[1poolman1]

I cleaned my filter yesterday and reassembled it seemingly successfully. The I noticed the DEX2400CR GENUINE Hayward Pro-Grid Filter Flex Air Relief was left off by mistake. How critical is it to run the filter with this air relief plug? I assume it's just open now. I am going to reassemble the filter again next week to replace the retaining bolt (mine disintegrated and a new one on order). Can I safely leave it running without the air relief for 3-4 days? I am about to pour in chlorine and shock the pool as part of the start-up.

You can leave it off, but you will find that DE will be in the pool at each start up and may continue to be drawn to the port the tube should be in while the pump is running. The filter will not filter as you would be amazed at how much dirt will just bypass the grids and flow out the port that tube belongs in and back to the pool. Essentially, what you have now is a hole in the filter that blocks nothing.
In other words, "bite the bullet" and put it in place before running the system.