Loads of DE in my pool

jim · Postby **jim** » Tue 02 Jun, 2009 07:47

I noticed, a few weeks ago when I backflush and add DE the DE is forced out of the jets. I pulled the pump lid and it was really full of DE. I discovered I was adding more than twice what was required in DE each time I was backflushing. I have cleaned the filter and shocked the pool but I see a whole lot of DE on the surface of the pool. My Polaris just stirs it up and doesn't pick it up. I have heard of a Polaris bag that will filter the fine stuff but haven't seen one yet.

Postby **mr_clean** » Tue 02 Jun, 2009 09:05

if you were able to see DE going into pool from return lines one or more of your DE filter grids have a hole/tear in them.

Pull them out rinse them off & inspect each one fully for this & replace as needed. You can also inspect manifold that grids plug into for any cracks etc. at the same time.

jim · Postby **jim** » Tue 02 Jun, 2009 09:34

Thanks, I will do that. But still my problem is the DE in the bottom of the pool. Evedently the hole in the filter shot a ton of DE into the pool and my Polairs will pick it up but the bag won't hold it.

Postby **Denali** » Tue 02 Jun, 2009 21:04

jim wrote:Thanks, I will do that. But still my problem is the DE in the bottom of the pool. Evedently the hole in the filter shot a ton of DE into the pool and my Polairs will pick it up but the bag won't hold it.

Hi,

You can vacuum it out to waste if you have a multiport valve with that setting. Once you find the leak in the filter and fix it you can just vacuum it up.

jim · Postby **jim** » Wed 03 Jun, 2009 08:19

What kind of equipment do I need to vacuum this out?

Postby **mr_clean** » Wed 03 Jun, 2009 09:13

use the equipment that have been vacuuming with or if you have a auto cleaner it will pick it up.

you probably have a vac-hose, vac-head, pool pole, to vac pool.

if not go buy equipment, if you can fix filter you can vac...............

jim · Postby **jim** » Wed 03 Jun, 2009 14:19

My auto cleaner (Polaris) will pick it up but blows it out of the bag. I suppose I could let the Polaris stir it up and then clean the filter a few times. When I opened the filter the elements were clogged with DE. There must have been 20 lbs packed in there.

Postby **mr_clean** » Wed 03 Jun, 2009 16:15

if you have a pressure side polaris that plugs into return line than you can not get DE powder cleaned up easy.

go to pool store buy vac-hose & vac-head setup & pool pole if you dont have one. Then attach pole to vac head and attach vac-hose to vac-head, put vac-head/hose into pool with pool pole extended so it does not go into pool having the other end of the vac-hose out of the water. Prime that other end of the vac-hose with your mouth or put it in front of return line so water primes the vac hose (real-good). Then attach it to skimmer hole so you can vac pool floor nice & slow so you do not make the DE powder rise. If you have a 2-hole skimmer put vac-hose into back hole with suction. If you have a 1-hole skimmer attach hose to diverter valve pipe that should stick out of hole.
If you do not see diverter valve which should turn left & right you will need to buy one. They turn so you can share suction between skimmer & main drain & if not turned to skimmer only you will have little suction to vacuum.

If you were putting to much DE make into filter after backwashing, this is what caused a grid/grids to tear or get crushed from to much pressure.

jim · Postby **jim** » Wed 03 Jun, 2009 16:30

Thanks.
I have two skimmers with baskets and one place at the side of the pool that the Polaris hooks into. That has water pressure into the pool. I don't know where to hook up a vacuum.

Postby **mr_clean** » Wed 03 Jun, 2009 18:14

sense you have 2 skimmers you should have a valve that allows you to send all the suction to only one of the skimmers when you decide which one then after priming vac-hose put hose into skimmer hole like said before.

jim · Postby **jim** » Sun 07 Jun, 2009 12:33

Well I bought a vacuum setup and tried it out. Shortly after starting it up I began to loose pressure until it quit altogether. I notice on my valve (Praher SM20-2 MPV) several options: Filter, Reciec. Rinse, Waste, Closed, Backwash. Do I need to move my selection lever to waste when vacuuming?

Postby **mr_clean** » Sun 07 Jun, 2009 14:01

with having a DE filter you do not need to move the multiport valve to vac.

Did you prime the vac hose with water?
If you did not then your going to unprime your pump. So try this, Add water to pump so it's primed. Once you know it's fine add vac to pool like said before and either use your mouth and prime vac hose or put it in front of return line & do it. Once hose is 80% primed attach it to skimmer that has the full suction you chose by turning valve allowing only that one skimmer to work. This should allow you to vac...........

Know depending on how your pool equipment was designed with it's valve setup. You may also have to close a valve to shut-off main drain, as the 2-skimmers & the main drain all share the suction from the pump.

The only other thing that could cause a problem from the info givin would be a dirty DE filter but you said if I remember correct you had just cleaned it as a dirty DE filter would slowup suction when all valves are even correct.

jim · Postby **jim** » Sun 07 Jun, 2009 15:07

Wouldn't trying to vacuum cause whatever you're picking up to go directly to the filter and fill it up? Should I turn the lever to waste while vacuuming?

Postby **mr_clean** » Sun 07 Jun, 2009 15:28

you have a pump basket or should in your pump pot that will catch debris.
always before vacing, open this up (I hope you do anyways) & remove debris before starting as if full will slow suction down. This should be done 1-2 times a week depending on how many debris you have around your yard.

even if not vacing pool this should be done as when your pool has slow suction it will eat your chemicals up faster.

jim · Postby **jim** » Sun 07 Jun, 2009 18:14

No the basket was clean and empty. The lack of vacuum might be that the hose wasn't 80% primed. My question is still, isn't when I am vacuuming, the trash going straight to the filter? Shouldn't it go out the waste?