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Thread: Filter delivers dirty de

  1. #1
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    Default Filter delivers dirty de

    My Hayward Perflex EC65 sends a temporary plume of dirty DE media into the pool thru the eyeball return jets after the 1.5 HP pump has been off for a while. I removed and inspected the rubber gasket and every grid finger and found no damage / tears / holes / cracks. Same for the grid plates, bump shaft o-rings. I even tried replacing the tank check valve. Maybe I should try the fiber type of media instead of DE powder?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Filter delivers dirty de

    Does the filter have a plunger-style backwash valve or a multiport valve?

    I'm thinking maybe there's a leak in your backwash valve...just my opinion FWIW...
    16k gal IG gunite PebbleTec (Caribbean Blue), 18' x 36' free form with raised spa/spillway and separate rock waterfall. All Pentair Equipment pad - 3HP IntelliFlo VS / 1.5HP WhisperFlo, MasterTemp 400k BTU/hr heater, QuadDE-100 filter, IC40 SWCG, IntelliTouch/EasyTouch Controls

  3. #3
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    CarlD is offline SuperMod Emeritus Vortex Adjuster CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars
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    Default Re: Filter delivers dirty de

    I don't know much about DE filters but I do know that changing media won't fix a basic problem. I'm wondering, if in addition to SO's idea, if your pump is rated for a higher output than your filter's input, which is a common problem. A 1.5hp pump CAN be too strong, especially if it's a full-rated pump (most in ground pool pumps are). How big is your pool and what kind of pump is it?

    You can go to Hayward-Pools.com and look up your owner's manual. It has several suggestions of possible causes of DE going back into your pool.
    Carl

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    Default Re: Filter delivers dirty de

    +1 to @CarlD !!!

    Yeah, before spouting off I should have asked for more details on the pump/filter combo. I have a full rated, variable speed 3HP IntelliFlo pump. I also have the biggest DE filter possible. Even then, I run my pump on the slowest speed most of the time. I only use the highest speeds for quick vacuuming.

    What kind of pump do you have? Horsepower? Single-, two-, variable-speed?

    What's the sq-ft area of your filter and its nominal flow rate?
    16k gal IG gunite PebbleTec (Caribbean Blue), 18' x 36' free form with raised spa/spillway and separate rock waterfall. All Pentair Equipment pad - 3HP IntelliFlo VS / 1.5HP WhisperFlo, MasterTemp 400k BTU/hr heater, QuadDE-100 filter, IC40 SWCG, IntelliTouch/EasyTouch Controls

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    Default Re: Filter delivers dirty de

    Pool - Pacific in-ground vinyl 27,500 gal
    Filter - Hayward Perflex EC65 67 gpm rating with 27 square feet effective filtration area.
    Pump -Hayward Super Pump 1.5 hp single speed rated at 65 gpm with 30 feet of head resistance.
    There is no 'backwash action'. The filter features a bump handle that regenerates the DE by jogging the grid - something like a piston.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Filter delivers dirty de

    Pump: 65gpm with 30' of head.
    Filter: 67 gpm.

    So if you do NOT have at least 30' of head, your pump is probably exceeding your filter's max. In any case, IMHO, the filter is too small for the pump and you need a bigger cap filter or smaller pump.
    Carl

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Filter delivers dirty de

    @CarlD nailed the pump/filter sizing issue. 30' of head is approximately 13psi pressure. What's your normal system pressure?

    Also, I'd like to chime in on the DE issue. Your original post stated that DE was coming back through your return lines into the pool. I took a look at the filter manual and there is a built in check valve in the filter. The troubleshooting section clearly states that DE returning to the pool after pump shutdown could be a result of a bad check valve.

    Have you disassembled the discharge elbow and confirmed the check valve is operable?
    16k gal IG gunite PebbleTec (Caribbean Blue), 18' x 36' free form with raised spa/spillway and separate rock waterfall. All Pentair Equipment pad - 3HP IntelliFlo VS / 1.5HP WhisperFlo, MasterTemp 400k BTU/hr heater, QuadDE-100 filter, IC40 SWCG, IntelliTouch/EasyTouch Controls

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    Unhappy Re: Filter delivers dirty de

    Please IGNORE my last post!

    You clearly stated that you replaced the check valve. I did not read your original carefully enough and missed that point. My apologies.
    16k gal IG gunite PebbleTec (Caribbean Blue), 18' x 36' free form with raised spa/spillway and separate rock waterfall. All Pentair Equipment pad - 3HP IntelliFlo VS / 1.5HP WhisperFlo, MasterTemp 400k BTU/hr heater, QuadDE-100 filter, IC40 SWCG, IntelliTouch/EasyTouch Controls

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    Default Re: Filter delivers dirty de

    yes - i spent 50 dollars on a check valve for nothing.

  10. #10
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    Question Re: Filter delivers dirty de

    So if I understand the problem correctly, you only get DE out of your returns when the pump shuts off, correct? During normal pump operation, the water coming out of the returns is clear, correct?
    16k gal IG gunite PebbleTec (Caribbean Blue), 18' x 36' free form with raised spa/spillway and separate rock waterfall. All Pentair Equipment pad - 3HP IntelliFlo VS / 1.5HP WhisperFlo, MasterTemp 400k BTU/hr heater, QuadDE-100 filter, IC40 SWCG, IntelliTouch/EasyTouch Controls

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