Waste, Thanks for the warm welcome. I've been monitoring this forum searching for the answer to the problem described in this thread. Up until a year ago, my DE filter has functioned proficiently.

Then, last year I added a phosphate remover which resulted in a 20psi increase in my filter back pressure. At that point I was forced to thoroughly clean the 60sqft of grids. It was then I discovered the hot melt glue along the edges and ribs of the grid fabric (which probably does not reduce the effective filtration area much.) When I recharged the unit, I discovered dune-like slumps of DE forming at the bottom of the pool over the next few days. At the end of a week I drudgingly vacuumed the DE into the skimmer with filter sock. Desperate to break this dreaded cycle, I have inspected the grids thoroughly on several occasions but to no avail.

The pool stays relatively clear until I clean or backflush the filter again. I suspect the leak/tear is eventually blocked by compacted DE that slows or stops additional DE from breaching the grids.

The $1000 question: should I 1) keep looking and vacuuming, 2) replace just the grids, 3) replace the grid and the assembly, 4) replace the entire filter with another DE filter, 5) replace the entire filter with a cartridge or sand filter, or 6) try something else?

Regards,
Wen