I run the filter, it clogs up in less than six hours, I backwash, put more DE into the filter...repeat...repeat...
I have found that with my Hayward DE filter, if I only put 25% of the recommended DE into the filter it runs much longer before it becomes clogged indicating it's time to backwash...
Question: Should I run the filter without any DE in the filter until I get all the Algae out of the water? Will it hurt the filter to run it without DE in it? How do I get the pool water cleaned up without backwashing four times a day?
If there's that much algae in the pool, the solution is to shock it with chlorine and an algaecide, wait a few days for all the crud to settle, then do a "vacuum to waste" cleaning (which doesn't go through your filter). Many pool service companies offer this as a one-time service.
============================ My thoughts exactly.... My pool is between 30 and 40 years old...and I have only used sand as a filtering media ..but reducing the amount of DE only decreases the filters efficiency... you can accomplish that by just turning the filter to re circulate...and bypassing the filter media entirely..
And to be honest... Algae is not normally large enough to clog a filter within hours ... I do not even think algae can even be filtered... particle size is pretty small...
BUT old nospam hit it on the head... shock the pool ... I mean shock the sucker...two or even 3 evenings in a row IF needed... then the following morning shut the filter down..let it settle for a day...and vacuum to waste ...
===> That's because it's not filtering as well. A high concentration of algae shouldn't depend on the filter to clear it, anyway.
===> Well, if it's a Hayward, which I have and I think you mentioned, check out the paperwork: Specifically you should NEVER run without earth for more than a minute or two. RTFM.
===> And that is exactly the way to do it. Repeat as needed, and tend DAILY, at least once, possibly twice a day, until the algae clears.
===> YES, algae CAN plug a filter "within hours". Most of the time, when first opening our pool each year, we start the pump, shock, and vacuum. Usually before the first hour is over the pressure has begun to rise, and it's tiem to bump it before two hours are up. Second time takes about 5 hours, and after that it's several days, then it goes to weekly or sometimes two weeks, depending on the weather and use it gets. Once in a great while we'll get a midsummer algae explosion, where we repeat that process, and we're on our way again. The "filter" itself isn't what filters the water. It's the DE ON the filter surface that filters the water. DE's advantage, in fact, over sand, is that it will catch more more algae. Using NO earth in a filter designed for it, will collect minerals etc. on the filter itself, effectively blocking off the holes until it will no longer let water through. And if you turn the filter off periodically, as many tend to do, those holes will plug up almost overnight. Then you're out buying new fingers, pleats, sheets, whatever your media are called.
===> It's not a good idea to shock three times in a row. IF you do it right, if two won't handle it, there are likely other problems with the water and/or the filter system. Too much shock all at once can turn the ph index upside down, and it's a devil to get straightened back out! You'll reach a point where adding more acid or ash, whatever form you buy them in, the ph will go the wrong way on you. That's an excellent indication of an over-shocked pool. Chlorine stabilizers help immensely too, if you're using chlorine. I never had much satisfaction from bromides, et al.
Lots of info on the net about this stuff; just google for it. Lots more there than I've mentioned and much more experience than I have.
I heard from my pool cleaner friend and he gave the following steps:
Shock the pool with chlorine (1 gal. for every 10,000 gallons of water, PLUS 1 gal). So for a 30,000 gal. pool add a total of 4 gallons. Pour it around the edge of the entire pool so it's well distributed.
While running the filter continuously, brush pool walls and floor with a stiff 18" brush. This will get the algae into suspension so the chlorine can kill it.
24 hours later, vacuum to waste the bottom of pool to remove dead algae and debris.
Next day, take apart filter and clean grids thoroughly. Add new DE to skimmer to recoat grids. If filter grids are shot, DE will simply come back into the pool when it's added. So add just a small amount of DE initially to be sure it holds.
Thanks for all the advice guys! It's cleared enough that I can see through the algae filled water to the bottom in the shallow end now! It seems that with 25% percent of the recommended DE applied to my filter I can run about 24 hours and still feel a little water pressure coming out the return line into my pool.
I know one thing for sure...next fall I will get a new cover to go over my nice clean pool water and I won't put that leaf net over it all winter again!
Well...I found out why I was having to backwash so often! It seems the cup I dip the diatomacious earth (DE) with holds one pound. The wife wrote a "6" on the cup with a magic marker...when I read the number on the cup it looked like a "9" to me...so I have been putting 50% too much DE in my filter every time I backwash!
The Hayward owner's manual says 6 pounds of DE...I should read that thing more often...
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