Filter sizing?

[stlbill]

Hello everyone,

Well, I am about one-third of the way into my second season using the big DE filter. I love it! My cartridge filter did not have a multiport valve. The multiport valve alone is worth the change! At opening this year I topped off the water level and vacuumed all the Winter junk directly to waste. When I had removed all of the big stuff I refilled to the proper level and put the multiport in recirculate to get my water balanced. Then I shocked it, flocked it and vacuumed all the dead stuff to waste. Then I turned the multiport to filter mode and made it truly sparkle. Vacuuming to waste and having an over size filter means I only have to clean this filter twice a year: Once after opening and again at closing. Cleaning it at closing is just for effect. The pressure does not dictate it. If I lived in a place that does not require winterizing the pool I think it would go most of the winter months without issue.

Remember the 72 ft^2 filter has tall grids? The only challenge I am having is finding a container large enough to fit the DE grids in for soaking. I searched all over for a Rubbermaid 50 gallon trash can that was deep enough and had no metal parts. It lasted one cleaning cycle. The second time I filled it up with water deep enough to cover the grids and a big rupture formed near the wheel axle. These "Build For Life" Rubbermaid cans are obviously not built to be full of water.

I am now looking for other plastic barrels rated to not rupture when full of water deep enough to submerse the grids. Most 55 gallons are just 36" deep and these grids need more than 40" to submerge.

Another option might be to soak the bottom half of the grids for 12 hours, turn them over and soak the other half. Not as good, but maybe it will work in a shallower container. Comments appreciated!

Thanks,
Bill

[PoolDoc]

Another option might be to soak the bottom half of the grids for 12 hours, turn them over and soak the other half. Not as good, but maybe it will work in a shallower container.

Tha's what I'd do. All of the larger plastic containers I've see would be VERY large, and expensive, both for the container, and the cleaning solution.