Zeolite

I live in the San Antonio, TX area. I purchased a new 30 inch sand filter and am using zeolite media instead of sand. How often should you run a zeolite cleaner through you filter to clean the zeolite?

I have been told that you should do this about twice a year but I would think once a year would be sufficient.

Is there anyone that has any knowledge or experience on this that can answer my questions?

Sorry you haven't heard from anyone yet, things slow down around here this time of year. I know that some people on the forum use Zeolite so... patientce and the occasional bump might get your question answered.

I looked at the instructions for a Zeolite cleaner - the process seems like a bit of a pain, I'd do it as little as possible.

Good luck

Sorry, I cannot help you. I stick with sand.

Carl

I understand, Thanks for your responses I will wait patiently!!

Jan uses zeolite. I'll ask her to pop in here for you.

I would think once a year would be plenty. i'm finishing our 2nd season with the same zeo and have never run any cleaner through it, and it's filtering just fine-- I don't notice a difference from last year.

Janet

Thanks for your response. I would tend to agree. At $32.00 a bottle, I am not having any issues I was just wanting to maintain the zeolight at its maximum performance level.

Thanks Again!

The reason for "cleaning" zeolite is to regenerate its ammonia scavaging property. (The cleaner is generally a very acidic, concentrated salt solution.) However, if your salt level is high, either from older water which tends to have a higher salt content from continued use of chlorine or from using a SWCG this "advantage" of zeolite is somewhat nullified. IMHO, this advantage of zeolite is moot since ammonia is being dealt with efficiently if you are maintaining your pool by the guidelines promoted in this forum.

As far as water flowing through the pores in zeolite giving you smaller filtration--well, water is going to take the path of least resistance, which is going to be AROUND the grains just like it does with sand and not through the pores, thereby negating the second claim of zeolite's effectiveness over sand. In fact, some of the zeolite media sold actually have a larger grain size than sand sold for filter use and are actually a less effective filtration medium.