faulty filter

We are new to pools, we had the help of a professional to install the pool and filtration system. The filter is supposed to be one of the best on the market but when we add the d.e. the filter stops working like its clogged. We have started experiencing a cloudy greenish water. We have vaccuumed every day for the last 3 days and have added 3 gallons of shock to the pool in the last 2 days with no change. We even took the filter apart and cleaned each filter individually and when we put it back together we didn't add d.e. back to it thinking that was the problem. But, from reading your forum its sounds that d.e. or maybe sand is essential. Any ideas?

Live algae will clog up a DE filter fast! I'm sure that is what is happening in your pool. You need to kill the algae. Give us some more information about your pool. Please fill in the specs into our pool chart which will make it easier for someone here to help you.

Pool Chart Entry Form

We will need some current water testing results taken with a drops-based kit -- no test strips.

Also, tell us exactly what all you have put into your pool meaning ingredients and not just 'shock.'

Add DE to your filter.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

EDIT: When you write a post, it goes into a moderation queue to wait until one of us mods it in. So, you won't see it immediately. No need to make a duplicate post. It will appear! :) (I deleted your other post.)

Hi Mark;

+ Get your filter manual and READ it. You REALLY need to do this. (If you need help finding it, give me the EXACT manufacturer and model name, and I'll try to find it for you.

+ Don't mess around; running algae through a DE filter with no DE can damage the filter. As it is, you're going to have to open and clean it.

+ Get a good testkit. You MUST do this. You're going to have to kill and clean up that algae, before you will have an operational pool. AND, with DE filter you have to KILL the algae before you can run the filter. (Links below!)

+ If possible, post pictures of your pool, pump, and filter . . . large, in-focus pictures . . . you can use Flickr, Photobucket, Webshots, or Picasa, OR you can email them to poolforum@gmail.com.

+ Meanwhile, start adding 3 gallons of PLAIN 6% (check the %) household bleach, per 10K gallons of pool water, to your pool EVERY evening. If the algae hasn't begun dying by the 2nd AM, go to 5 gallons per 10K gallons of pool water.

+ Here are links to the kits we recommend:

HTH 6-Way Test Kit @ Walmart
Taylor K2006A (3/4 oz bottles) @ Amazon
Taylor K2006C (2 oz bottles) @ Amazon

It sounds as if you have a cartridge filter. If that's the case, then you are correct, adding the DE, especially too much will clog and maybe harm the cartridges. Ben has written a great tutorial on how to clean a cartridge filter. Follow Ben's and Watermom's advice. Keep that pool shocked, and don't add any DE to your filter. ( If it is a cartridge type). Good luck, follow the directions of the moderators here, they have a ton of knowledge, you're in good hands.

Tom