Skimmerless pool adding DE

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mannadiars
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Skimmerless pool adding DE

Postby mannadiars » Tue 19 Jan, 2016 22:06

I have an infinity pool (small 12k) which does not have a skimmer. Mine is a pre owned house and I have no idea why the pool is with out a skimmer. I have a DE filter and the only way I could out DE powder is through the vac port or through the pump itself! Anything can be done to make a skimmer/ any other alternatives? :?:


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Larry
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Re: Skimmerless pool adding DE

Postby Larry » Wed 20 Jan, 2016 13:42

An infinity pool does not generally have a skimmer.

The skimmer's function is to suck the floating debris from the surface of the water. An overflow pool deposits the floating material into the channel/ gutter/ tank/... that it flows into. We build (almost exclusively) infinity pools and have never included a skimmer yet.

You should not add DE to the pump - the filter requires a slurry. I guess the best approach is to vacuum it from a bucket though I'm not really sure. My experience with DE filters is limited.

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mannadiars
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Joined: Tue 19 Jan, 2016 21:19
My Pool: 12k, gunite, 2 Pentair VS intelliflo, Pentair DE Filter and No SKIMMER (really!!)

Re: Skimmerless pool

Postby mannadiars » Wed 20 Jan, 2016 18:46

Thanks Jerry, how do I put the de powder is a tricky queation, any ideas?
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Larry
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Add DE to a Skimmerless pool

Postby Larry » Thu 21 Jan, 2016 03:40

I asked a friend who installs DE filters and he recommended using a funnel with a flexible hose that you can find at any auto spares or DIY store.

oil-funnel-fill-de-filter.jpg
Funnel with hose to add DE to filter via vacuum port
oil-funnel-fill-de-filter.jpg (22.55 KiB) Viewed 2874 times

The steps:
  1. Mix the DE with water in a bucket to prepare the slurry
  2. Put the end of the hose into the vacuum port but do not close the port with the hose. There should be water entering the port around the sides of the funnel's hose.
  3. Bring the funnel up to the surface and slowly pour the slurry in. It will be sucked in along with some water- ideal for evenly coating the DE grids.

Please let us know how you get along.

Larry
mannadiars
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue 19 Jan, 2016 21:19
My Pool: 12k, gunite, 2 Pentair VS intelliflo, Pentair DE Filter and No SKIMMER (really!!)

Re: Skimmerless pool adding DE

Postby mannadiars » Thu 21 Jan, 2016 07:29

Thank you Larry, I will give it a try. Excellent, innovation btw.

Any way, I can do this through at the pumps or near , instead from the vac port in pool itself? Vak port is inside the pool.
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Larry
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Re: Skimmerless pool adding DE

Postby Larry » Thu 21 Jan, 2016 10:50

The only way to do it from the pump is to put a very small amount into the pump pot and run the pump. Stop and repeat until you've added all the DE. Doing it this way is quite time consuming and laborious.

It is also not recommended because there is more chance of DE clumping and with less water in the slurry the grids may get unevenly coated.

Larry
mannadiars
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue 19 Jan, 2016 21:19
My Pool: 12k, gunite, 2 Pentair VS intelliflo, Pentair DE Filter and No SKIMMER (really!!)

Re: Skimmerless pool adding DE

Postby mannadiars » Thu 21 Jan, 2016 17:07

Thank you Larry
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Larry
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Re: Skimmerless pool adding DE

Postby Larry » Fri 22 Jan, 2016 02:43

You're welcome

Happy swimming

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