DE Filter Troubleshooting

[PoolRobR]

Hi All,

Can anyone offer a troubleshooting guide for DE filters? For instance, what are the symptoms of too much powder? Too little powder? What should the filter pressure be? And so on.

Here's my situation. I've got a Hayward Perflex EC65 DE filter, and a Hayward 3/4 hp SuperPump. If I turn the pump on in the morning, by late afternoon I've got no flow through the filter. If I bump the filter (regenerate, I think they call it), I can get several more hours of good flow. So I think the filter needs a new batch of powder, so I follow the instructions and backflush all (or most) of the powder, then add some more powder to the skimmer. The exact same thing happens, no flow after several hours. Bear in mind the water is crystal clear during all this time.

So, I disassemble the filter, completely clean the filter housing and the fingers. This thing is like new at this point. Ressemble, add the recommended amount of DE powder, and within 6 hours or so, the flow is once again negligible. The pressure when freshly assembled is about 23 pounds, and when the flow stops a few hours later the pressure is 25-26 pounds.

I'm at a loss. Any ideas?

Rob

[Walter]

Sure your putting the right amount of DE in?

[powenmurphy]

I am exactly in the same boat as you...exactly!!!!!!

I found my problem was not enough DE and getting the system primed correctly. Good circulation all day long.

My problem now is...how can i keep suction up when trying to vaccum???

[Greg]

HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN PAST, MIGHT WANT TO TRY AN ACID WASH
AVAILABLE AT MOST POOL STORES. YOU SIMPLY TAKE FILTER APART, SOAK FINGERS IN A DILUTED SOLUTION OVERNIGHT. REMOVES BODY AND SUNTAN OILS ETC... WORKED FOR ME
GOOD LUCK