D.E. Filter Cleaning - How to clean and recharge your Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filter Grids

[azjackster1]

I love you Lauren! Please let me have your love childs!

[funktopu]

If you don't want to disassemble the plumbed fittings on the drain of the filter, you can use a ShopVac to suction all silt, pebbles, water from bottom of filter. Be sure to thoroughly clean all O-rings as well as surfaces surrounding O-rings. Use a lot of water and a clean rag to remove all silt from O-ring areas. Ensure all O-rings are in good shape, not torn, and add plenty of petroleum jelly to all O-rings. My 1st time to clean DE filter took one hour. Thanks Leslies!!!!!

[funktopu]

Very good tutorial - thank you Leslies! Dismantling the manifold and cartridge assembly is easy, but reassembly is tougher. Take notice how cartridges fit into the top & bottom assembly. Easiest for me was to put the tops of cartridges back into place first, allowing the top assembly piece to "guide" the exact placement of the cartridges. My assembly has a plastic nipple with a screen on top for the release valve - BE CAREFUL not to break it. Use 2x4's under workspace...

[agthorn]

Dismantling the manifold and reassembling it is no small task .... I can't imagine doing this monthly. I have to assume that hosing down the filter assembly without dismantling the entire manifold could simplify this process, reducing the full dismantling to once or twice a year .... thoughts?

[ChelseaLathrop]

@agthorn I think they meant "backwashing" once a month, not this process. We have this done once a year

[nelnkel1]

We just cleaned ours and it was pretty easy. Our lid went back on very nicely. This video helped alot.

[HeWhoRunsWScissors]

Im a little confused on the correct way of cleaning my DE filter. From what I understand DE is a cacinogen which can cause lung disease if inhaled.

Is it safe to be cleaning the grids in your backyard and backwashing into your garden?

I work in the HVAC field and there are so many regulations dealing with breathing hazards (asbestos, fiberglass etc), it just doesnt seem safe to dump in your yard where the wind is going to pick it up.

[saltynuts916]

@HeWhoRunsWScissors Yes DE is very dangerous to us overtime. There are many safe alternatives to DE, such as the end of this video showed. I work in a pool store and our alternative we sell is called The Filter Fiber Stuff by a company called Jack's Magic. It is used the same way as DE, just safer (:

[cliffcox66]

@saltynuts916 Just curious, why is DE dangerous to human health?

[saltynuts916]

@cliffcox66 When you breathe it in it can be unsafe, especially to young kids

[cliffcox66]

@saltynuts916  Hmmm, interesting. Like asbestos I suppose.

[bigbolo777]

THANKS!!!

[ntomas6]

This is really very easy. If you can change the oil on your car or a tire, then you have the ability to clean your pool filter. Like the video says, watch the psi & clean as needed (8-10psi higher than when you started). I had no issues with this the first time I did it, & I am by no means a do-it-yourself type of handyman. Just follow the steps & you'll be fine.

[ERNESTO5800]

ITS EZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!! TO PUT BACK "LID" IF YOU KNOW A LIL TRICK... CALL ME FOR INFO (562) 719-7471 ASK FOR ELMO.

[reidenblade]

this video is great but they dint show how difficult it is to return the top cover or the filter tank lid. Let me tell you. Dont Do this all by your self. everything they say here is easy except returning the lid. I cried the first time is did it. it took 2 person just fitting the lid back to is position not to mention pushing it down. Dont to this if your not ready.

[sdmoats7]

You should also add 4 scoops (1 lb per scoop) to a 48 sq ft DE filter. 3 scoops to a 36 sqft DE filter. 2 scoops to a 24 sq ft DE filter. Their amounts are excessive.

[gstreich1]

Information about how often to clean filter is wrong. For starters, it will vary depending on the geographical location of the pool. For a typical pool, every 6 months is ample, and once a year is usually sufficient. Once a month, as the video states, is unnecessary.

[ReeSkillet]

fiber clear sucks! It works great but you have to clean the filter alot sooner.

[NoGoldenGoose]

I've been looking for this information for a few months now. Outstanding show and tell video.