Using DE in a sand filter

[michaelwoosley]

Good morning everyone. We're getting ready to open our pool. We want to introduce DE into our routine this year, especially after last years terrible loss of time in the pool due to poor water balances. I'm looking for both; some literature on the topic and friendly advice from the community on how to approach my opening and ongoing maintenance. From the little I've read so far, introducing DE into our program will be a great step towards making our water that much better!

Thank you.

 

[Lake Placid]

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Donldson]

Adding some DE to a sand filter is a way to speed up the very end of a SLAM or other temporary cloudiness, but if a pool has a consistent clarity issue then there is a chemistry problem that requires attention.

 

[duraleigh]

Donldson always gives good advice......he is spot on.

Testing your water frequently and following TFP procedures is all you need for a really crystal clear pool. If "crystal clear" doesn't describe your pool water, you very likely have a chemistry issue. DE will not fix that

 

[Newdude]

+3. I maintain above target range so that when I lose some, I land in target range and not below it. I often can't see my water clarity to know what it looks like and I've never added DE.

All i know about my clarity is that it hurts to look at it.

 

[1poolman1]

Good morning everyone. We're getting ready to open our pool. We want to introduce DE into our routine this year, especially after last years terrible loss of time in the pool due to poor water balances. I'm looking for both; some literature on the topic and friendly advice from the community on how to approach my opening and ongoing maintenance. From the little I've read so far, introducing DE into our program will be a great step towards making our water that much better!

Thank you.

How old is your sand filter? It is not unusual after about 5 years to need to add a bag of sand to make up for what is lost during backwash. That alone can solve clarity issues if the chems are good. You can use DE regularly, but it will make a mess on backwash.

 

[michaelwoosley]

How old is your sand filter? It is not unusual after about 5 years to need to add a bag of sand to make up for what is lost during backwash. That alone can solve clarity issues if the chems are good. You can use DE regularly, but it will make a mess on backwash.

We had to SLAM last year pretty hard. It got so bad, we decided to change out the sand (actually towards the end of the swim season). so it's only a few "swim weeks" old. What do you mean the DE will make a mess on backwash?