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Thread: DE Replacement

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default DE Replacement

    Can anyone tell me how you know when all of the DE is backwashed off the filter so you know when to stop and refill with DE. Judging by what comes out I know that all the dirty DE isn't being wsahed out. This is my problem because I guess on how much to replace. The manual says replace withg what you started witht but if did that the filter would clog up? Do you just go by the color of the water in the glass, time of backwash, or go buy how clean it runs out of the end of backwash hose? Thanx.

    Jandy DE 48 Filter
    IG Plaster 23000

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Default Re: DE Replacement

    In normal operation, I backwash until the discharge is clear. Then rinse, then set back to filter, and add DE until the pressure reading hit's where it should begin (for me, 10 psi).

    If the pressure doesn't drop to below the starting pressure, I break down and manually clean the grids.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: DE Replacement

    There's no way to know for sure how much to add.. that's why you need to tear the thing down every few changes and clean it out manually.

    Robert

  4. #4
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    Default Re: DE Replacement

    I have found that my Hayward never completely removes the DE when backwashed. Its a big unit, it takes 7.5 pounds of DE when you charge it. What I do when the pressure goes up is take the band clamp off and manuall hose it down to get all the DE out. Then I refill it with a full 7.5 pounds. I find that in 5-6 month season I only have to do this twice.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: DE Replacement

    Tanks to everyone for the useful info.

  6. #6
    PatL34 is offline Lifetime Member Widget Weaver PatL34 2 stars PatL34 2 stars
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    Default Re: DE Replacement

    The method I use to backwash is run in backwash until clear, then filter for about 2 minutes, then backwash again until clear, filter one more time, and backwash once more until clear.

    This "bumping" feature helps to dislodge as much of the old stuff as possible.

    The DE48 should require about 6 lbs of DE only and should not be exceeded, otherwise you will be back washing more than you need. It should say on the side of the filter how much to add, or check with the manufacturer's web site.

    Hope this helps.

    Pat
    20,000 Gallon IG Diamond Brite pool, 1.5 HP Sta-Rite pump, Hayward Microclear DE3600 filter, Favco solar panels, Poolpilot DIG-220 with SC-48 cell.

    + SWCG OPERATION thread here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=1226
    + SWCG Running Costs post here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=316
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  7. #7
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    Default Re: DE Replacement

    PatL34 - while that method may work for you it uses a hell of a lot of water. What size pool do you have and have you ever measured how much the water drops when you backwash? I have a DE60 and find it much more cost effective to open it and hose it down rather than backwashing it. As I said before that uses only a fraction of the water and gets 100% of the dirty DE off the grids. It takes me about 15 minutes to do the job.

  8. #8
    PatL34 is offline Lifetime Member Widget Weaver PatL34 2 stars PatL34 2 stars
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    Default Re: DE Replacement

    With a DE60 I could see it would take a lot of water for backwashing.

    The Hayward DE3600 I use is for a 20,000 gall pool, and barely drops 1/2 inch in level after backwashing

    Pat.
    20,000 Gallon IG Diamond Brite pool, 1.5 HP Sta-Rite pump, Hayward Microclear DE3600 filter, Favco solar panels, Poolpilot DIG-220 with SC-48 cell.

    + SWCG OPERATION thread here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=1226
    + SWCG Running Costs post here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=316
    + Effective Stabilizer addition post here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?p=6645

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Orlando, Florida, USA.
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    Default Re: DE Replacement

    Quote Originally Posted by cleancloths
    PatL34 - while that method may work for you it uses a hell of a lot of water. I have a DE60 and find it much more cost effective to open it and hose it down rather than backwashing it.
    I agree, it is better to disassemble, clean, then recharge with the full amount of DE.
    When I first got my new pool running I did the backwashing method to clean the plaster dust and it would drop the pool water about 2 inches (in a 20,000 gallon pool). The pressure would return to normal but raise again realitively quickly (days). A few weeks later I disassembled the filter and discovered that a huge mass of DE and old plaster dust cacked at the bottom. Now I only disassemble to clean. It doesn't take that long and I know exactly how much DE to add afterwards.

    P.S. I have the Pentair FNS Plus (60 sq-ft) and it takes 6 lbs DE when empty. If you have the 48 sq-ft model you shoul donly be adding 4.8lbs. If you have another brand, check your manual.
    Good Luck

  10. #10
    PatL34 is offline Lifetime Member Widget Weaver PatL34 2 stars PatL34 2 stars
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    Default Re: DE Replacement

    I can understand that with a 60 sq. ft. filter the need to backwash is not that high.

    The fact that when you open up and find lots of DE caked in the bottom indicates that the flow is inadequate to backwash properly. With the 36 sq. ft. that I use, I can backwash in 5 minutes or less, and have 4 lbs DE added in less than a minute.

    An hour before I wrote this post, I had to open up the filter, disassemble the grids and wash them because I could not backwash normally as the city was doing storm drain work in the street. There was a small amount of caked DE in the bottom but nothing more than usual, and I have just had the pool replastered.

    The point I am making is that I barely use more than 100 gallons, if that, for the whole backwash process. To me a 60 sq. ft. filter is much bigger than I would ever need.

    Pat
    20,000 Gallon IG Diamond Brite pool, 1.5 HP Sta-Rite pump, Hayward Microclear DE3600 filter, Favco solar panels, Poolpilot DIG-220 with SC-48 cell.

    + SWCG OPERATION thread here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=1226
    + SWCG Running Costs post here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=316
    + Effective Stabilizer addition post here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?p=6645

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