Any experience with Fiber Clear filter mediume?

[floridapooltech]

I have a hayward 48SqFt DE filter that was brand new last summer.
I was using DE last season but after finishing the bag, I brought home Fiber Clear this past saturday..
opened filter, hosed the filter very very well. the cartridges still look brand new.
I put 9 full scoops of Fiber and the pressure rose 8psi filter ran for almost 6 hours and switched off (automatic timer).
Sunday filter ran full 8 hours but we didn't go out to check (was raining etc)
today evening when I went out, I found a algae in pool and pressure at 12psi (same as a new filter with no medium). I vacuumed an area and for sure, all the algae was coming back to pool unfiltered.
I put 3 more sccops. pressure rose 3 psi and some filtering started.
switched pump off and ON again. same issue now. pressure is back to 12psi.
I opened filter to check and could not see loose cartridge etc. noleaks either from filter or jandy valve.

Any clue why the filter is not really working with FiberClear as expected?
Thanks in advance.

Fiber clear required a completely different approach than D.E.

First, it only required half the amount compared to D.E., so you put too much in. The pool store which sold it to you should have told you that. Also, before you put it into the skimmer, it needs to be mixed in a bucket of water, you cannot just place it into the skimmer as you would have with D.E. Hopefully this will help fix the issue you had.

[NewPoolOwnerNJ]

I poured 9 scoops as was directed on package (for my size filter).
I sure did not mix in water. you mean that resulted in it being all lumped up and not "binding" well to filter catridge as expected?
I was feeling so lost and frustrated.

now what? I already put 3 lbs of shock to kill all algae.
Shall I backwash completely and fill fresh Fiber?
I can not do anything till tomorrow 7pm anyway.
Was thinking of returning to Leslies and buy DE again......

If you tell me that not pre-mixing with water was all the difference then I am willing to try that.

Thanks again. you sure are doing good service on this forum.

[floridapooltech]

Yes, sorry that your experience isn't as good as it should have been with perlite. The bright side is it will backwash completely as it will not gum up on the filter as D.E. would have, so that shouldn't take too long. Mixing it with water will definitely make the worlds difference as it will evenly distribute. Use only half the amount compared to what you would have with D.E...For some reason, the amount they recommend is always a little high so be careful as too much will raise your pressure too high. It will turn into a sludgy like mix when you mix it, which is normal. Hope this helps!

[NewPoolOwnerNJ]

When you say "Perlite", I assume it will be same as Fiber-Clear (other brand but probably same product).
Why the pressure rose normally and filter started cleaning OK the first day when I initially poured the Fiber?
and even today, when I poured the 3 scoops, it seemed to have "worked" but only until I stopped the pump and restarted it, and again it was as if it is all gone.

I will try backwash and fresh "dissolved" fiber tomorrow anyway.
Help me understand the cost also.
Seems like the Fiber Clear will end up being far more costly than DE.
if I have to recharge the full amount after each backwash then the 3lb bag will be finished in 3-4 cycles only.

Thanks and Regards

[floridapooltech]

When you say "Perlite", I assume it will be same as Fiber-Clear (other brand but probably same product).
Why the pressure rose normally and filter started cleaning OK the first day when I initially poured the Fiber?
and even today, when I poured the 3 scoops, it seemed to have "worked" but only until I stopped the pump and restarted it, and again it was as if it is all gone.

I will try backwash and fresh "dissolved" fiber tomorrow anyway.
Help me understand the cost also.
Seems like the Fiber Clear will end up being far more costly than DE.
if I have to recharge the full amount after each backwash then the 3lb bag will be finished in 3-4 cycles only.

Thanks and Regards

I apologize, Perlite is our brand we carry (it's all paper regardless as to what brand). The cost of your Fiber-Clear should be about twice that of D.E., which ends up equalling out because you use half as much as D.E. with the added benefit as it is not carcinogenic like D.E. is. I'm guessing it worked normal for awhile, then diminished filtration as it was most likely bunched up, then when the flow which was keeping it against the grids ceased, it all fell to a lower level bunching together further, leaving the upper "x" amount of grids open (which is why you noticed the same PSI as a filter with no media). You should notice almost equivalent pressure readings, however, like I mentioned above, it is not carcinogenic, & it will filter smaller particles resulting in much better filtered water quality.

[Guest]

i run my Pro-Grid 48 sqft filter for 6 hours everyday which was OK with DE.
I hope this will be OK duration with Fiber too.

I am not sure if I am reading you correctly. Is it normal to expect fiber to bunch up if pump is not running 24 hours or is it all due to the one small misstep of not premixing in water?

if so, and premixing in water will ensure it "whirls up" everytime the pump is turned on, then it sure will be great (and I sure will feel like stupid for tripping on such a small point).

[floridapooltech]

i run my Pro-Grid 48 sqft filter for 6 hours everyday which was OK with DE.
I hope this will be OK duration with Fiber too.

I am not sure if I am reading you correctly. Is it normal to expect fiber to bunch up if pump is not running 24 hours or is it all due to the one small misstep of not premixing in water?

if so, and premixing in water will ensure it "whirls up" everytime the pump is turned on, then it sure will be great (and I sure will feel like stupid for tripping on such a small point).

No, it will not do this if mixed first. The only reason it fell is because it was all bunched together. Once it is evenly distributed on both sides of each grid, it will not fall again. The pump run time can stay the same as it was with D.E....the only difference is you will notice a cleaner looking water with less suspended particles. What size pool and pump do you have? you should be running your system for atleast 8 hours a day to prevent algae outbreaks and proper circulation/filtration. Read the post HERE to see what I mean by proper filtration!

[NewPoolOwnerNJ]

I got 26000 Gal kidney shaped pool
hayward 1.5hp motor, hayward chlorinator (3" jumbo tabs type), Pro-Grid filter
I use no chemicals except chlorine shock

On the fiber manufacturer site, they say it is not needed to premix in water?
http://www.fiberclear.net/faq.html

"
How do I put Fiber Clear into my filter?
Fiber Clear should be put into the skimmer, just as you do with D.E. It is not necessary to mix Fiber Clear with water before putting it into the skimmer. Just pour the required amount (depending on size and type of filter) into the skimmer with the pool pump running. Instructions for the amount of Fiber Clear to be used with the various size filters are on each bag. A Fiber Clear scoop is included in each bag, except for the 9 oz. size which serves as its own measure.
"

[floridapooltech]

I got 26000 Gal kidney shaped pool
hayward 1.5hp motor, hayward chlorinator (3" jumbo tabs type), Pro-Grid filter
I use no chemicals except chlorine shock

On the fiber manufacturer site, they say it is not needed to premix in water?
http://www.fiberclear.net/faq.html

"
How do I put Fiber Clear into my filter?
Fiber Clear should be put into the skimmer, just as you do with D.E. It is not necessary to mix Fiber Clear with water before putting it into the skimmer. Just pour the required amount (depending on size and type of filter) into the skimmer with the pool pump running. Instructions for the amount of Fiber Clear to be used with the various size filters are on each bag. A Fiber Clear scoop is included in each bag, except for the 9 oz. size which serves as its own measure.
"

That is very strange. As far as I know, you need to pre-mix that particular media in a bucket to ensure proper distribution. If you private message me your contact information, I will bring this up to our technician's tomorrow and see what their opinion on this is? What type of "shock" are you using? If you are using Dichlor, it has a high cyanuric acid content which raises your CYA to incredible levels over time, eventually leading to ineffectiveness of free chlorine. The best shock to use is cal-hypo which is pH and CYA neutral. (some CYA is required, however, to a level of 30-50 ppm recommended)

[NewPoolOwnerNJ]

I use Leslie's weekly shock(Power Powder) which is Cal-hypo.
CYA and all other numbers are in line as I got water tested this weekend.
Nitrate is little elevated (at just under 2) but I expect to get it in control with shock.

I will check this page tomorrow during the day for your expert advice.
Thanks and good night

[floridapooltech]

I use Leslie's weekly shock(Power Powder) which is Cal-hypo.
CYA and all other numbers are in line as I got water tested this weekend.
Nitrate is little elevated (at just under 2) but I expect to get it in control with shock.

I will check this page tomorrow during the day for your expert advice.
Thanks and good night

I hope they didn't tell you that you can remove nitrates in your pool with buying more "shock"...this is just to sell more product. The only way to remove Nitrates from the pool is to drain some water, and replace with new. Nitrates are from fertilizers and cannot be "destroyed" with chlorine.

[bribri]

I think he probably meant phosphates rather then nitrates, but maybe not.

Also, i think the fiber clear and perlite are different products. From what I have read, fiber clear is cellulose, and perlite is silica volcanic rock. So mixing perlite with water is required, but not fiber clear.

Also, seems a lot of people are having problems with clogging, but commented they added products specifically stated to not add. algicides, water clarifiers and phosphate removers all work by basically congeilling (sp?) the particles into a mass that DE can filter. This "goo" will clog the fiber clear completely, as it is a much finer filter than DE.

I also think you should start with half the recommend amount, and gradually add a bit more until you need to backwash. And the scoop size for fiberclear is not the same size as usually used for DE. So that may be some of the problem.

[floridapooltech]

I think he probably meant phosphates rather then nitrates, but maybe not.

Also, i think the fiber clear and perlite are different products. From what I have read, fiber clear is cellulose, and perlite is silica volcanic rock. So mixing perlite with water is required, but not fiber clear.

Also, seems a lot of people are having problems with clogging, but commented they added products specifically stated to not add. algicides, water clarifiers and phosphate removers all work by basically congeilling (sp?) the particles into a mass that DE can filter. This "goo" will clog the fiber clear completely, as it is a much finer filter than DE.

I also think you should start with half the recommend amount, and gradually add a bit more until you need to backwash. And the scoop size for fiberclear is not the same size as usually used for DE. So that may be some of the problem.

Did I say perlite? I meant aquaperl which is our brand. Algaecides do not floc particles together, most are made primarily of soap, and just kill the algae. Phosphate removers will drastically raise the pressure inside a filter, however, that is why they specifically instruct you to backwash PRIOR to adding it so there is no dirt particles to restrict the water flow. Aquaperl & Fiber clear do require some sort of mixing, whether it be from pre-mixing in a bucket, or turning your skimmer & main drain or vac port on 50-50%, if this is not done, it will clump resulting in uneven distribution and further problems. Regarding amounts, the general rule is if you added 4 scoops of D.E., you would add 2 scoops of the other (relatively). Regarding the possible nitrate/phosphate confusion, many pool stores are known for BS-ing you into buying products. It really wouldn't surprise me if they did tell him to add a bunch of random chemicals to "remove" nitrates though the only way to remove them is through dillution. The best thing to do is get a really good test kit such as the taylor K-2005 or K-2006, test the water yourself, use http://www.poolcalculator.com and purchase your chemicals KNOWING what you want.

[RonB]

My pool supplier suggested I try Fiber Clear, in fact, he insisted. The pool at my house was using DE for the last 18 years with no problem. The pool guy took apart my 2year old filter and gave it a thorough cleaning and added the fiber clear and gave me specific instructions for adding it when I backwash. After a month, the pressure went up to 30 psi! I backwashed and added the exact amount of Fiber Clear. Exactly 1 week later, the pressure was up to 25 psi and my pool cleaner hardly works at all. I confronted the pool supply manager who sold me the fiber clear and wanted their company to come back out and clean my filter grids as I wanted to switch back to regular DE. He responded by telling me how easy it was to clean my filter grids and gave me a free box of DE. Obviously he knew that this stuff sucks! Anyway, I'm switching back to regular DE. That was my experience and I have read online about Fiber Clear and a lot of people have had similar problems. All I can say is beware of Fiber Clear! I don't think regular DE is all that bad!

[floridapooltech]

My pool supplier suggested I try Fiber Clear, in fact, he insisted. The pool at my house was using DE for the last 18 years with no problem. The pool guy took apart my 2year old filter and gave it a thorough cleaning and added the fiber clear and gave me specific instructions for adding it when I backwash. After a month, the pressure went up to 30 psi! I backwashed and added the exact amount of Fiber Clear. Exactly 1 week later, the pressure was up to 25 psi and my pool cleaner hardly works at all. I confronted the pool supply manager who sold me the fiber clear and wanted their company to come back out and clean my filter grids as I wanted to switch back to regular DE. He responded by telling me how easy it was to clean my filter grids and gave me a free box of DE. Obviously he knew that this stuff sucks! Anyway, I'm switching back to regular DE. That was my experience and I have read online about Fiber Clear and a lot of people have had similar problems. All I can say is beware of Fiber Clear! I don't think regular DE is all that bad!

My earlier posts were wrong, FiberClear is made of cellulose (paper). We sell AquaPerl perlite, which is volcanic rock. FiberClear does cause a lot of problems as it tends to no allow water to pass through as easy as D.E. or perlite. Try to stay away from D.E. if you can as it has been deemed carcinogenic to your lungs and the EPA is going to start forcing its removal from the market. If you would like to try our perlite, we can ship it out to you. I use this in my own pool, have not had any problems, it actually filters out water much cleaner compared to D.E. and it doesn't clog your system. Also, you use only half the amount as you would have with D.E.

You can see some of the facts about Perlite HERE


-Joe