Too much DE in pool

[SL Dan]

Ah, OK, thanks.

Well, I can take it apart again, the 3rd time, and see if I spy anything. But I'm pretty sure it would have turned up before.

[PoolDoc]

It's actually pretty straight forward:
+ You put DE in the skimmer.
+ DE shoots out of the returns.
+ Ergo, EITHER the piping is malfunctioning, and bypassing the filter
+ OR the piping is working AND the FILTER is malfunctioning.

DE does not pass THROUGH properly functioning DE filters.

Period.

But unless you REALLY know the filter . . . and how ALL the icky bits actually WORK . . . finding the bypass point can be a challenge.

[SL Dan]

Yeah, that's what I can't figure out. How could the piping be malfunctioning? It was laid underground almost 60 years ago; I've lived here for 25 years. How could it possibly be bypassing the filter (which is what it seems to be doing)?

[PoolDoc]

My wife used to say we needed a son named "Frank" so I would not be (frank).

But I'm gonna be, anyhow: the odds are VERY high that you are simply overlooking the problem inside the filter.

If you can't find it yourself, get another filter. In theory, you could hire someone, but most of the pool guys I've seen couldn't find their way around a DE filter with 2 flashlights, a manual, and a factory rep helping!

[SL Dan]

Yeah, I get it. And I agree. Today I've attempted to recruit my neighbor to help, because the filter has to be semi-inverted with all the piping glued in place.

Here we go again.

IF I have to get another filter, what do you recommend? And hopefully as inexpensive as possible.

[PoolDoc]

Probably a Hayward S244T ProSeries Sand Filter -- InTheSwim seems to be selling them for $340, which is an excellent price.

If your pump is not too big for it, it will typically last many years, though you may have to replace the top of the multiport every 4 - 8 years.

And . . . your water will not be quite as clear as with a DE filter.

Ouch! You're in Cali. You may have to go with another DE or cartridge filter, because of water restrictions. Dunno, then. Avoid Sta-Rite! If you can possibly afford to buy US, do so. Chinese filters are cheapo -- in price AND design. If you have to go that route, start saving NOW for a new filter in 4 years.

Jandy cartridge filters often do well. Both Hayward and Pentair make some decent DE filters, but I don't have experience with them, so I can't make a particular recommendation.

[SL Dan]

Poking around the site, didn't I see this recommended? A Sta-Rite S7M400 System:3 Modular Media SM Series Pool Filter, 400 Square Feet, 50-115 GPM?

Not that I can afford it this weekend - but is this what you're saying to avoid?

PS - is your Amazon page down?