Filter delivers dirty de

[SunnyOptimism]

When the pump kicks on after being off for some time, the DE particles and the dirt particles that were laying at the bottom of the filter tank are now racing back up to the grid fingers - correct? But in doing so, some of the dirt passes thru the fabric before the DE does a complete re-coat. So maybe this filter has an inherent design flaw and it's been doing this blowback since day one - but i have only noticed it recently when i walked past the returns after i activated the pump?

I don't think that's how my DE filter works. My Pentair has four cartridges in it that the DE sticks to and accumulates on. Perhaps some DE floats off the cartridges after pump shutdown, but I believe most of it stays on the cartridges.

If Hayward intentionally designed their filter to lose the DE costing after pump shutdown, then I'd say that's a pretty poor design. However, since it is a bump-style DE filter, that just might be the case.

With all that said, the fingers should not let DE pass through them. If that is truly what's going on here, then I'd say you need to replace the grid assembly. Is that a replaceable part? Any idea how much that costs? As annoying as it is, I think this warrants a call to Hayward to see what they recommend.

[FRANCIS]

it's cheaper to buy a new filter than replace the 120 flex tubes @ 6 dollars each. Do you really think Hayward would entertain my phone call? I don't even see a phone no. in the user manual.

[CarlD]

From Hayward-pools.com:

Contact Hayward Residential Pool

Contact us by phone:

(908) 355-7995 (U.S.)

Mon-Fri, 8 AM – 5 PM

Contact us by letter:

Hayward Pool Products
Attn: Technical Services
One Hayward Industrial Drive
Clemmons, NC 27102

[FRANCIS]

ok - so i called hayward with your posted info and got a tech right away. thank you. he thinks the algae cells that i vacuumed up are passing thru the mesh while the DE is trying to re-coat.