Problem with 25 years old Hayward Micro Clear DE Filter.

[xsmarc]

My Hayward micro clear DE filter (DE4800) is 25+ years old. I replaced the grids 3 years ago. Until last year it worked fine. This year completely different story. It slows down after running for 2-3 hours. I have opened the filter many times to wash and clean. I do not see any extraordinary debris inside. After each wash it runs for 4 hours before slowing down. Furthermore, I am backwashing it twice daily, filter slows down 2-3 hours after each backwash. All of this happens under pressure of 25. The pressure gauge is usually at 23-24 when filter slows down and indicator on Heater shows ‘LO’.

I don’t know what exactly is the problem and out of ideas. Any thoughts?

Thanks all for your help.

Marc

 

[Lake Placid]

Does the pressure gauge drop to zero when turned off? What is the clean starting pressure? What has been added to the water recently? Can you post current test results from a reliable kit? How is the water clarity? On first blush it sounds like the filter is doing its job, but loading up quickly due to something in the water.

 

[xsmarc]

Does the pressure gauge drop to zero when turned off? What is the clean starting pressure? What has been added to the water recently? Can you post current test results from a reliable kit? How is the water clarity? On first blush it sounds like the filter is doing its job, but loading up quickly due to something in the water.

Thanks for quick reply Lake.
- Pressure drops to 0 when turned off.
- Clean starting pressure is 15, but goes to 20 within few minutes.
Test from 30 minutes ago, 7:30pm ET, I use Leslie’s Testing strips:
Free Chlorine - 3-4
PH - 6.8 - 7.0
Alkalinity - 80 -100
Hardness - 200
Stabilizer - low, less than 20

Water is blue, clear on the shallow side I can see the floor. Not so clear at the deep end (12 feet). Needs cleaning and vacuuming, there is quite a bit of dirt on the floor. I have been waiting for the water to clear up. Have lost 4 weeks already.
We would think that filter is doing its job but doesn’t look like it’s picking up and stuff bypassing filter, also do not see whole lot of debris when I open it for washing.

This is a 42000 gal. in-ground pool. Hayward super pump, 1.5 HP.

 

[Lake Placid]

Water is blue, clear on the shallow side I can see the floor. Not so clear at the deep end (12 feet). Needs cleaning and vacuuming, there is quite a bit of dirt on the floor.

You’ve got organics brewing. You need to invest in one of the recommended test kits as what you are using to test the water is inaccurate at best. I hate to be brash but they’re called “guess strips” for a reason.

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why shouldn't I use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

How are you chlorinating your pool? I’d recommend moving to liquid for the immediate future and adding 5 ppm of chlorine daily until you get a proper test kit. That’s about 1.5 gallons per day of 12.5% chlorine, or 2 gallons of 10% chlorine. When your kit arrives you’ll need to SLAM to clear the organics.

SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain

We’ve all had to deal with a green pool. Clear algae from your pool with a SLAM! Read here to use shock level and maintain to clear your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[xsmarc]

You’ve got organics brewing. You need to invest in one of the recommended test kits as what you are using to test the water is inaccurate at best. I hate to be brash but they’re called “guess strips” for a reason.

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why shouldn't I use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

How are you chlorinating your pool? I’d recommend moving to liquid for the immediate future and adding 5 ppm of chlorine daily until you get a proper test kit. That’s about 1.5 gallons per day of 12.5% chlorine, or 2 gallons of 10% chlorine. When your kit arrives you’ll need to SLAM to clear the organics.

SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain

We’ve all had to deal with a green pool. Clear algae from your pool with a SLAM! Read here to use shock level and maintain to clear your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks Lake, sorry for the delayed reply.
I will look to get the recommended test material. Just one point though, a week ago I took water sample to Leslie’s for testing and results were not very off. They told me to increase the alkanity and then shock the pool.
I use both liquid chlorine (12.5%) and powder in the bag. For many years, this is my routine, at the pool opening I dump 10 gallons of liquid chlorine (two 5 gal drums) to kill all algae etc. and clear the water and it has worked well, clears up water in 2-3 days. Did exactly same this year 5 weeks ago. But wasn’t facing filter trouble last year and before.
Anyway, I’ll use the methodology you explained above, let’s see what happens.
Thank you

 

[Lake Placid]

Historically after your water clears what has been your daily chlorine application method? SWG, trichlor tabs, liquid?