Diatomaceous Earth versus Sand filter

Backwashing a DE filter is a snap -- I do mine about once per month during swim season and maybe once in the winter, since I never close my Texas pool. It probably takes 30 minutes to backwash and recharge the system. There is no gunk to touch -- no problem.

Now, once per year, in late September, I break the filter down and thoroughly clean it. It is a nasty mess and a real pain. Last fall, it took me over an hour to finish cleaning, reassembling and recharging.

I don't know much about sand, but I know DE filters are incredibly good at filtration. In fact, I think it's the same basic principle most water treatment systems use. With a little effort, a DE system will provide water that is cleaner than the stuff coming out of your tap. I love mine.

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Originally Posted by dalparadise

Backwashing a DE filter is a snap -- I do mine about once per month during swim season and maybe once in the winter, since I never close my Texas pool. It probably takes 30 minutes to backwash and recharge the system. There is no gunk to touch -- no problem.

Now, once per year, in late September, I break the filter down and thoroughly clean it. It is a nasty mess and a real pain. Last fall, it took me over an hour to finish cleaning, reassembling and recharging.

I don't know much about sand, but I know DE filters are incredibly good at filtration. In fact, I think it's the same basic principle most water treatment systems use. With a little effort, a DE system will provide water that is cleaner than the stuff coming out of your tap. I love mine.

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What part of Texas you live in?


Anyhow, I look at a DE filter as something that polishes the water :D It just puts a nice shine on a pool in my opinion. It's probaly not that much more time consuming to clean one over a sand filter either. Sure you got 7 pannals to clean on a DE filter thats usualy a mess..but you also have to scoop sand out of a sand filter. You also don't have to BW them as frequently as a sand filter. I usualy do mine the same about once a month. This has to save on water and make up for the extra cost on buying the DE. There is some people who simply just bump the DE filter a little ( BW for a seconds) and only has to add a 1/2 lb of DE instead of doing the whole BW process.

On a side note, one can also add a scoop of DE to a sand filter to help out the sand a little. FYI: I'm pretty sure you can't do this to a cartridge filter..it would probaly rip it up or clog it up one.

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Originally Posted by ThePoolGuy

On a side note, one can also add a scoop of DE to a sand filter to help out the sand a little. FYI: I'm pretty sure you can't do this to a cartridge filter..it would probaly rip it up or clog it up one.

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Not necessary with a cartridge. Sand only filters to 60 microns, a CArtridge will filter to 20...almost as good as a DE filtering to 6. And a cartridge filters better when it is dirty! (but don't let it get TOO dirty or it is a pain to clean)

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Originally Posted by CarlD

Well, the DE fix is super-cheap so you might as well try it--throw out eight or 10 bucks on 10# of DE. Add enough to raise pressure 1 #, starting with about 1/3 of a cup. 10# will easily last one summer, if not 2.

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CarlD,

HOW do you do this? (I'm not ready yet (or even no if I should do this) - still working on that algae problem!) Is this something I might want to do? Or do I just want to keep sand? If I have to have "maintenance" it's usually expensive -- because I have to call the pool place. WHERE do you add this DE? And it's okay to mix sand & DE? If this is addressed somewhere else, I apologize for not continuing my search of threads.
And I can't thank you enough for all your help -- but thanks for all your help.

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Originally Posted by debs_pool

WHERE do you add this DE? And it's okay to mix sand & DE?

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I'm not CarlD and I may be wrong, but I think you just add a scoop of DE to the skimmer. This will suck it into the filter where it will stay and help with filtration...the same as a DE filter. Hopefully someone else will chime in here.

I just moved and now own a pool with a DE filter. Lately I have had a pressure problem. Could low DE cause low pressure? (I don't even know if this makes sense).

How often should the DE be changed/cleaned?

Debs - I'm not carl either, but just to let you know, those of us who do use DE as a supplement in the sand filter do so by adding 1-2 cups of it through the skimmer - your pressure should change by about 1.5-2 lbs - this shows you have loaded it with enough DE.
I would do this when you are ready to start cleaning up all the dead algae - you will get your pool clean much quicker.
Pre DE, It took me about 3-4 good vacs to recover from a bloom, now, 2 will do it, and the second is more a final spot clean than anything else. However, my backwashing increments increased proportionally!
You will find that you will only be able to vac about 1/3 to half your pool before you have to backwash - this is a good thing, it shows and proves that adding DE works well.

Putting a little DE in the sand filter can help clear the pool when cleaning up the algae. Dead algae is very fine and it sometimes takes a long time for a sand filter to clean it up. A little DE in the filter should help catch the dead algae. Simply put a cup or two in the skimmer. Watch the pressure. It may rise rather quickly as it catches the small dead particles. When you backwash, the DE wiill be backwashed out of the filter. If you want, you then add a little more.

I live in Des Moines, Iowa and have no complaints with my sand filter. My brother-in-law on the other hand lives in Las Vegas and asked me which would be best for him (DE or sand). How big of a role does climate play into this decision. Sand works great for me in the midwest, but what seems to work better in the desert?....or does it matter? Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks