Diatomaceous Earth versus Sand filter

[Jeffski]

I think I know the details...D.E. is better but harder to maintain and more expensive.

What are your opinions on these two? Will I regret the sand filter since that is what my builder is recommending?

[ytngt]

I had sand and recently replaced it with a DE filter. Most people perfer sand filters because they are easy to maintain and work well. If you are real picky about your pool filtration and don't mind extra maintenance then DE is for you.

[cleancloths]

I just don't get it - what is hard about a DE filter? I have had mine for 8 years and do almost nothing too it.

[CarlD]

It's just what you are used to. Both work well if used correctly.

Several of us use DE in our sand filters to improve filtration and it works GREAT!

[packerfan]

i've come to the conclusion, now that i'm on my 3rd sand filter , that there is no way of not getting sand back into the pool. i've been through it all with a sta-rite,jacuzzi, and now hayward sand filter,and seems no matter what i do, i get sand of some type in my pool after running the filter over night. i now have the Zeobrite stuff in my new filter and have the same problem. any ideas? the reason i changed filters is i totally rebuilt them ,laterals,standpipe ,etc. and still had the problem . this is one reason maybe someday i'll go to the DE type.

[waterbear]

i've come to the conclusion, now that i'm on my 3rd sand filter , that there is no way of not getting sand back into the pool. i've been through it all with a sta-rite,jacuzzi, and now hayward sand filter,and seems no matter what i do, i get sand of some type in my pool after running the filter over night. i now have the Zeobrite stuff in my new filter and have the same problem. any ideas? the reason i changed filters is i totally rebuilt them ,laterals,standpipe ,etc. and still had the problem . this is one reason maybe someday i'll go to the DE type.

With your luck you might end up with DE in the pool! Maybe you should consider a cartridge filter

[ThePoolGuy]

I just don't get it - what is hard about a DE filter? I have had mine for 8 years and do almost nothing too it.

Ditto...although I haven't had mind that long.

i've come to the conclusion, now that i'm on my 3rd sand filter , that there is no way of not getting sand back into the pool. i've been through it all with a sta-rite,jacuzzi, and now hayward sand filter,and seems no matter what i do, i get sand of some type in my pool after running the filter over night. i now have the Zeobrite stuff in my new filter and have the same problem. any ideas? the reason i changed filters is i totally rebuilt them ,laterals,standpipe ,etc. and still had the problem . this is one reason maybe someday i'll go to the DE type.

Just wondering, how long do you back wash the filter?

[CarlD]

i've come to the conclusion, now that i'm on my 3rd sand filter , that there is no way of not getting sand back into the pool. i've been through it all with a sta-rite,jacuzzi, and now hayward sand filter,and seems no matter what i do, i get sand of some type in my pool after running the filter over night. i now have the Zeobrite stuff in my new filter and have the same problem. any ideas? the reason i changed filters is i totally rebuilt them ,laterals,standpipe ,etc. and still had the problem . this is one reason maybe someday i'll go to the DE type.

OK, I've NEVER had this problem in 4 years, and I don't think Poconos has had it in 9 years. I can think of only 2 things going on:

1) It's not sand but something finer that's too fine for your sand to filter. I don't know where you live, but maybe you have some very fine dust there that's less than 60 microns. Actually, I think my NEXT cause is more likely.

2) What I REALLY think is happening is that your pump is too big for your filter. If your pump's GPM rating is higher than your filter's then it will force sand back into the pool. I was VERY careful to get a filter with a bigger capac than my pump, and I mostly run it at low speed (I have a 2 speed). I was AMAZED to find it actually filters better at low speed--seems the water at a lower velocity can allow the sand to filter more.

Why don't you post your pump size and model and your filter size and model? I'm betting you have a monster pump and it's overwhelming every filter you've had.

[packerfan]

ok , first off the original filter was 24in starite, 2nd filter 22.5 jacuzzi, now i have a 24 in hayward, all while using a 1hp pump.it looks like the sand that's in there is not the zeobrite i put into the sand filter. i was wondering if maybe adding some de to this filter might help. i've already tried some filter aids through the skimmer and only backwash when the pressure gets over 10lbs over normal. i've had this pool for 15 yrs now and this problem never seems to go away :-( i know these filters inside and out and have heard every excuse and story about the sand from the manufacturers and pool places. i never thought that i would have to vacuum every time after running the filter overnight but it's a must now.

[CarlD]

Well, the DE fix is super-cheap so you might as well try it--throw out eight or 10 bucks on 10# of DE. Add enough to raise pressure 1 #, starting with about 1/3 of a cup. 10# will easily last one summer, if not 2.