My question somewhat revolves around the slam process and cleaning of the DE filter but first the backstory
I’ve had the pool for over 10 years and only last year after realizing that we were having a lot of DE being blown back into the pool and the pressure not greatly increasing in the filter over time ( I replaced the spider gasket in the multiport a few times)
Towards the end of the pool season last year, We decided to hire a company and have them replace the entire multiport valve (probably 20 years old at this point). The system now is running I believe as it was intended to. The water out of the return lines never previously “bubbled” with so much flow. There are no air bubbles in the pump basket / strainer.
So this is our first year opening with the system now running efficiently. We have been following the slam process and the water went from a green swamp on Friday to a mostly blue pool but yet somewhat cloudy although getting better and better each day. This is the 5th day.
My question now is the frequency of cleaning the DE filter grids. Rather than backwashing I like to take the filter apart and wash the grids out manually. Doing so lets me know that the cleaning was correct rather than hoping and not really knowing if backwashing cleaned out the grids.
The filter runs at about 12 psi once initially loaded with new DE and then after 3 to 4 hours, The pressure has moved to about 17 or 18 psi. I then clean the grids put, add new DE in and then the same thing happens (system runs great, 3-4 hours later, pressure increases, lower flow in pump basket/strainer, less flow out of returns) I have replaced the DE multiple times since Friday.
I have a two speed pump running it on high 24/7
So, is it typical to replace the DE multiple times a day during the initial pool opening/following the slam process? I read somewhere to run the pool on low as it will clean better? Should I follow this during the opening?
Or is all this normal??
Thank you
I’ve had the pool for over 10 years and only last year after realizing that we were having a lot of DE being blown back into the pool and the pressure not greatly increasing in the filter over time ( I replaced the spider gasket in the multiport a few times)
Towards the end of the pool season last year, We decided to hire a company and have them replace the entire multiport valve (probably 20 years old at this point). The system now is running I believe as it was intended to. The water out of the return lines never previously “bubbled” with so much flow. There are no air bubbles in the pump basket / strainer.
So this is our first year opening with the system now running efficiently. We have been following the slam process and the water went from a green swamp on Friday to a mostly blue pool but yet somewhat cloudy although getting better and better each day. This is the 5th day.
My question now is the frequency of cleaning the DE filter grids. Rather than backwashing I like to take the filter apart and wash the grids out manually. Doing so lets me know that the cleaning was correct rather than hoping and not really knowing if backwashing cleaned out the grids.
The filter runs at about 12 psi once initially loaded with new DE and then after 3 to 4 hours, The pressure has moved to about 17 or 18 psi. I then clean the grids put, add new DE in and then the same thing happens (system runs great, 3-4 hours later, pressure increases, lower flow in pump basket/strainer, less flow out of returns) I have replaced the DE multiple times since Friday.
I have a two speed pump running it on high 24/7
So, is it typical to replace the DE multiple times a day during the initial pool opening/following the slam process? I read somewhere to run the pool on low as it will clean better? Should I follow this during the opening?
Or is all this normal??
Thank you
