DE in a cartridge filter?

[waterbear]

I always heard that putting a bit of DE in a cartridge filter would shorten the life of the cartridge but I just found this tidbit on the Pentair websire in their FAQ for pool owners:

http://www.pentairpool.com/faq-faq_filters3.htm

"How does the micron filtration rating for a D.E. filter compare with that of a cartridge filter?
Cartridge filters are rated at approximately 6-10 microns. D.E. filters are rated at approximately 2-4 microns. So you will get better filtration with the D.E. filter. You can make a cartridge filter a little more efficient by adding 1/4 to 1/2 pound of D.E. through the skimmer. "

Anyone have any ideas on this or have tried this?

[CarlD]

It's not sand--you can really clog it up. I'd use only a little to start if you must do this.

[waterbear]

It's not sand--you can really clog it up.
That's what I've always heard!
I'd use only a little to start if you must do this.

Not sure if Iwant to try. The numbers Pentair gives are bogus anyway....Carts don't filter that small if they use the standard Reemay polyester matierial...and DE MIGHT filter that small when it's dirty but the backpressure would be pretty high and the flow pretty slow!

[drogers]

Has anyone tried this?

[CarlD]

EVERYTHING we've heard here says you will ruin the cartridge by clogging it.

However, there is an organic fiber of some sort that is an alternative to DE that can be used in DE filters that is supposed to be safe with carts--it will improve the filtering but not clog it like DE will.

There is no problem adding DE to a sand filter, though.

[Big_D]

I have not used it on a standard cart, but I was informed on another board that you can use Fiber Clear DE replacement in Cartridge filters. It is a product derived from wood pulp. I used it on my Cartridge DE filter but had cartridge issues so I had to dump before I could really test it. Too $$$ to use in place of DE for me.