Testing chemical level for newb

[consoleman]

I was told by the owner in a email that the filters were DE. How do I add more DE after backwashing and where do I add it? Also, what is it (powder, gel) ?

[CarlD]

DE stands for diatomaceous earth, skeletons of tiny critters that forms a super-fine powder like powdered sugar. You buy it at a pool store or the pool section of WalMart, K-Mart possibly Costco. Here's where my knowledge is shaky: I believe you make a slurry of water and DE and add it through the skimmer (the skimmer part is right).

But with a DE filter you have to add DE after you back wash. I don't know how much: That should be available by looking up the manufacturer and model number. I don't know how you work it if you don't know how much to add when you recharge it.

[consoleman]

Carl,
Do DE and sand filters have a part number located on the actual filter? I need to find out. The previous homeowner left no information regarding filters.

I found out that you should add 80 percent of the original new dose of DE to your filter after backwash. I backwashed this weekend and didn't add DE because I didn't know i had too. So now i have backwash then remove the filter and clean it with a hose then add more DE to the closest skimmer (just add powdered scoops).

[CarlD]

They usually do. If you know the manufacturer, you may be able to use the profile and dimensions to identify it.

[Watermom]

In one of your posts above, you stated that you had a lot of DE on the floor of the pool. That should not be. If that truly is the case, then there is a problem with your DE filter. That needs to be the first thing that is addressed before you add more DE to an apparently non-working filter.

[consoleman]

Im not sure its DE. The guy who cleaned it before I bought the house left a note on the door that said that. The psi was not low enough so my guess is that it hasnt beened backwashed and re DE'd recently. I am backwashing and cleaning the filter today.