First encounter with DE Filter

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Originally Posted by Lenny

waste, could you explain this a little further? I have 2 skimmers but close the unused one when I'd adding DE. I haven't intentionally openend any other input source when doing this.

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Lenny, sorry about the delay! I actually answered you last week but my wife came in and used the computer while I was doing it ( I thought I had hit "post", but apparently hadn't - again, sorry).
With 2 suctions going, you have a plug of DE laden water comming through 1 and an equal amount of non-DE water comming through the other. This ~ equates to doing the slurry (DE mixed with water joining with plain water). I know for a fact that this evenly coats the grids, or fingers, because I've had reason to open a number of them almost as soon as the DE has been added and they have always had a good, even coating.

Thanks Waste! That makes sense.

I'm running a 36sqft DE filter also- if memory serves me correctly (and it's getting worse every day) I used 36 cups of DE to replenish my filter. Check the instructions on the bag. I wouldn't recommend mixing it with your hands - get a heavy duty yard stick or something. I also use 2 buckets and mix it half and half, that's a lot of DE to mix in one bucket and it makes it easier to dump into the skimmer, especially if you're 5'3 like I am. Stir it quick right before putting it in- it settles to the bottom of the bucket quickly. Rinse your buckets out good - and mark them for DE USE ONLY!!

ALSO- lube any O rings, my filter comes apart in half and there's one big one all the way around it.

My DE filter has been a life-saver with our iron issue here in Nebraska. The pool store lady had a fit and told me to not use a DE filter with our iron problems; when in fact that's even more reason to use one! I'm not putting down sand filters, but I keep reading posts about people using sand filters and adding DE powder to them, or Zeolite (sp?)... to get similar results of a DE filter; WHY NOT JUST GET A DE FILTER???