PSI for Sandfilter Never Seems to Increase

[jasonwbaggett]

Hi everyone!

In a nutshell, I feel like I've never seen my gauge increase more than few PSI following a backwash. It runs around 16psi --- and can stay that way for weeks. Invariably, I get antsy and choose to backwash even though water flow from the returns feels good. Could this just be a case of a watched pot never boils and I should leave the Dang thing alone? For what its worth, the gauge WILL increase when I'm doing a little DE additive.

I think the tendency to want to backwash frequently comes from my early days of algae battles, slamming, and backwashing frequently as part of that process. But if everything is testing okay, water looks clear, flow from the return feels good -- should I just leave it alone indefinitely until I see the pressure increase? I've had a few different gauges over the past few seasons and all exhibited similar behavior.

I appreciate your input!

Hope everyone is feeling good about swim time rapidly approaching! (At least it is here in the south).

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jason,

Everyone should have your problem...

As long as the water flow feels good then just leave it alone.

I have a large cartridge filter and could go all year without cleaning it. I also have a little OCD so I clean it twice a year.

How often are you backwashing?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jasonwbaggett]

Thanks @Jimrahbe... I'm ashamed to say I get an itchy trigger finger about once every two weeks. And I feel guilty each time I do it and regret after the fact! I'm also mindful of the fact I'm not helping the sand's efficiency by clearing out that space between the grains.
I'll just do my best to sit on my hands. Does this apply even after vacuuming (not to waste) if the PSI is still in range?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jason,

Yes, assuming when you vacuum up large debris, like leaves, etc. you are sending it to waste.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

In a nutshell, I feel like I've never seen my gauge increase more than few PSI following a backwash.

Pressure rises when a filter is dirty. You should see a pressure drop after a backwash.

Routine Pump/Filter Maintenance

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[Jimrahbe]

RJS,

The OP was never allowing the filter to get dirty before he backwashed.

Jim R.

 

[jasonwbaggett]

Thanks @Jimrahbe, that's correct. @Rocket J Squirrel, sorry I didn't clarify. I meant, that I never see pressure increase in the days/weeks following a backwash. When in reality, I'm probably just not giving it enough time to actually capture enough funk to start reflecting an increase in the psi.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Thanks for clarifying. I also never see a pressure rise in my cartridge filter, which is huge and has hairnets in the skimmers keeping big stuff out. I clean it every year anyway.