DE coming through sand filter, is this normal/possible ?

[spica]

Yesterday, I bought a bag of pool DE (EP Celatom SP) and poured 2 cups of it into the system. My filter pressure guage increased almost immediately. Nothing was visible through the return.

I left the filter running overnight, and this morning the water is crystal clear. Now I'm also able to filter the non-pool DE that has settled on the bottom, and now the return water is clear. I was a little concerned as to how to get rid of it.

Interestingly enough, both the pool DE and non-pool DE (EP Celabrew CB6) are very similar (both flux-calcined) except that the pool DE has 80% of particles below 105um as oppose to 96% of the non-pool DE (according to the datasheets). Perhaps the larger particles helps the coating process to develop faster. This might explain why other members have had experiences where there DE took a while before they saw a pressure increase. Perhaps their DE contained mostly smaller particles (since they vary from lot to lot) and it took a while for the DE to coat. When doing this an automatic cleaner would be essential to bring back the DE that has settled to the floor.

The DE definitaley enhances sand filtration, since I can now pick up material I never could, but it won't replace an equivalent DE filter. I don't think I'm going to use the DE in my filter anymore, water is fine as it is, but it might be handy when cleaning up really fine stuff (dead algae?). Now I have enough DE to last for the next century.

We'll now we know non-pool DE is probably not a good idea. Thanks again Doc.
N

[Watermom]

Thanks for reporting. Also, thanks for the subscription!

[PoolDoc]

Thanks for sharing your experiences - the info will help others.

[kelemvor]

Now I have enough DE to last for the next century.

You can also use it for pest control (especially slugs!) in your garden or for cleaning up oil in your driveway if you've got a teenager who changes his own oil.

[Watermom]

or for cleaning up oil in your driveway if you've got a teenager who changes his own oil.

Hey, at least your teenager is taking care of his car and not waiting for Dad to do it!