Where to buy D.E?

[dozer11]

Diatomaceous earth....After a quick google search it looks like this substance is used for many things...I'd like some ASAP, so I don't want to wait to ship it. Can I buy any D.E.? Or is it supposed to be a certain brand, or for a specific use? Or a certain percentage? I've never used this, and I have a sand filter, but I understand D.E. will speed up my SLAMming process by helping the filter work faster/better.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jblizzle]

ONLY get the kind for pools.
You can find it any any pool store, hardware store, Walmart ... basically anywhere with a pool section.

 

[Oly]

Home Despot. play on words

 

[jblizzle]

Note, that a filter will not kill/remove live algae. You need chlorine to kill it all and then the filter to capture it. Adding DE can help speed up clearing the cloudy water. Although you might should start with a Deep Cleaning of your sand as if it is channeled, then the DE will not help.

You can find the article on the sand cleaning in Pool School in the Filter section.

 

[dozer11]

We have cleaned the sand...I wanted to add DE to help clear the water, I think all the algae is dead by now. I've been SLAMming for a week. The water looks blue, but cloudy.

We don't have a Home Depot...Lowe's? And do I have to buy the stuff specific to Pools? Or will the insect killer one work?

 

[Oly]

You want the DE for pools and Lowes should have it, give them a call.

 

[dozer11]

Ok. Thanks!

 

[dozer11]

Is there an article for adding DE to a filter available on this site? I've never added it before.

 

[dozer11]

I just called Lowes. They don't have the pool filter DE. They have the DE for gardens though....Can I substitute with that?

 

[jblizzle]

I just called Lowes. They don't have the pool filter DE. They have the DE for gardens though....Can I substitute with that?

No ... for the 3rd time ...
I would be shocked that Lowes does not have it ... although maybe they do not really have a pool section in ND.
Go to a pool store.

 

[jblizzle]

Here is the article:
Add DE to a Sand Filter

 

[dozer11]

Thanks. I called around, and I can't find it anywhere. I ordered and it'll be here Tuesday. Hopefully the pool is clear by then but I'll be set for next year if I don't need it.

 

[Oly]

Also despite the opposite being true you can use your pool DE in your garden to repel snails and slugs.

 

[Neotericisis]

I just ordered from Amazon and paid $32. My local Home Depot had it for $23. Lesson learned.

 

[dozer11]

Okay....So my D.E. is supposed to come today. My pool has been cloudy and blue for almost a week now. I can finally see the bottom (about 3.5 feet) yesterday and today. The pool passes the OCLT and there is .5 of combined chlorine. At this point, I think I have a filter issue, not an algae issue. I've been keeping the FC at SLAM level as much as possible. A minimum of 3 times per day adding chlorine and sometimes 5-6 or 7.

Should I keep the pool at SLAM FC levels? I feel like I'm wasting $$$ pouring bleach into this thing, but I don't know what to do. We did a deep cleaning of the sand filter.

 

[dozer11]

The other question I have is, can I use my solar cover during the SLAM process?

 

[jblizzle]

Yes you can use the cover. It will be exposed to the higher FC levels, so that is a little extra wear and tear. You also do want to let the pool breathe occasionally so the sun can help breakdown any CC that develop