Purex 2000 DE Filter Manifold Question

[dtricks42]

I seem to be getting DE into my pool. There's this grey sand hanging out at the bottom of the pool. I recently cleaned the DE Filters, and when I was cleaning the Purex 2000 Filter, I noticed that the manifold was able to move around, and spin. Is this normal? Could I have a bad seal there, allowing DE in the pool? I'll inspect the filters thoroughly, and the manifold for cracks, just in case, but last I checked everything was fine (2 weeks ago).

Also, I can't get the backwash lever to budge. Any secrets to get it to move? I tried using a breaker bar, and/or a rubber mallet and got nothing. Do I really need to backwash if I've got the chemistry right?

New pool owner here...

 

[kadavis]

There's a o ring on the valve port the manifold goes over. The valve on this filter is a real challenge to service or replace. I recommend using a professional who is familiar with this model filter. You really will need to backwash from time to time besides if you have a bad seal on the valve port could be where the DE is passing

 

[dtricks42]

I was able to get to the O-Ring, wasn't all that hard. Any way to tell if it needs replacement or not? Looked like the DE was coming through the hole at the top where the rod goes through. So I put some silicone at that joint just in case.

Hopefully I didn't screw it up too bad. Since then things have been clear. Then I changed the valves to feed the spa and the pool, and got some minor DE back into the pool. I'm hoping I just got it in the manifold when I was cleaning it out, and it's some residual DE that is still in the lines. I'll keep ya'll posted.

 

[dtricks42]

OK I figured it out. I was having problems with the gate valve that controls the fountain. It's a T that is connected to my return. The gate valve broke, and when the pump was done pumping, air would get into the lines, and DE would siphon back into the pool. Now that I fixed the gate valve, water no longer goes the wrong way of the flow when things become depressurized. So when they say the only way DE would get into your pool would be a crack in the manifold or in the filters, they could be wrong! Just saying, don't always trust the chick at Leslie's trying to sell some filters.