dagnabit9

I have found success! I acid washed the grids (this is a DE filter, not a cartridge type) and now the filter runs great! In fact, it's been running since yesterday afternoon/evening without a noticeable change in pressure. I'm sure the pressure will go up when I vacuum it, but I expect that. Thanks for all the help - it got me pointed in the right direction.

How long do you backwash? 2 mins? 5 mins? 10 mins? Are you 'rinsing' between backwashes? I switch between backwash and rinse in equal cycles about 5-6 times every time I actually backwash the filter. Seems to help out a lot.

It's purple?? What color was the inside of your cover (if you used one)? First thing I would do is start the filter, then brush the whole pool. Then I would vacuum it after leaving the filter off overnight to let whatever is left to settle to the bottom. Add chemicals as needed to continue the opening process and away you go!

I was just thinking of something... We have VERY hard water here in Albuquerque and New Mexico, in general. Is it possible that the grids are clogged with sediment from the water? If so, you would almost HAVE to use some sort of acid in order to remover this sediment, true?

Not a problem, TX. I soaked the entire grid assembly with something the pool store says is for that purpose. However, when the grids were hosed off and dried, they had a sticky, firm feeling - not the supple soft feel they had when they were new. Is it possible they are not getting cleaned? What are you supposed to use on the internal grids of a DE filter? Can you brush them?

Thanks, TX...I think I have isolated the problem and it seems to be in the filter itself. I ran the filter on 'recirculate' last night and it ran for hours without any problems. As soon as I put it on 'filter', within 20 mins the pressure shot up and it started losing it's prime again. After switching it back to 'recirculate' the filter basket filled up with water and it ran as before. So the problem is definitely inside the filter assembly. I also had some problems with the 6-position valve on the outside of the filter last year and had to disassemble it. I will take a look at it also. (Maybe something is broken in there?) Before the season starts, I completely disassemble, clean, and reassemble the entire internal parts of the filter. "Qualified" professionals here in Albuquerque is a hit-and-miss proposition, at best. I have found that out trying to get my hot tub serviced. I have run this pool for 14 years and my parents pool in Michigan for quite a number of years. I feel pretty confident in what I am doing, but I refer to the people on this forum to make sure I am going in the right direction.

I have another thread for a problem I thought I was having (system dropping pressure) - maybe this is indicative of a bigger problem. When I ran the filter this season from startup (or after a backwash), it runs fine buts seems to struggle to keep a prime. It seems to lose the prime (low or no water in the filter basket) over the course of about 20-30 mins or so and the pressure goes from just over 10 psi to over 25 psi. I turn the pump off, turn the valve to backwash and the pressure drops to about 9 psi and the water level in the basket is full to the top. The water discharge from the filter does not look brown or look like any DE is being washed out. I alternate between rinse and backwash about half a dozen times or so and then restart the filter. The pressure returns to just over 10 psi and then starts the cycle all over again - loses prime after 20-30 mins and the pressure shoots up like it needs to be backwashed again. I am going to try to put the system on 'circulate' to see if it keeps it's prime and if it does then I am going to remove the filter screens and run it on 'filter' to see if that might be the problem. Any suggestions or help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. - Jon

I get pressures anywhere from 9 psi (when the filter has just been backwashed) to over 20 psi (when the filter needs to be backwashed). I will take a look at the impeller in the next few days to see what is happening there. Also, I was thinking about checking the motor as it runs very hot because of it sitting out in the sun. Maybe I have a bearing problem and the speed of the motor is being impeded? May have to build some type of shade over the pump and such to protect it from the sun. (I'm in Albuquerque at almost 5500 ft in altitude.)

How old is the filter? One thing about fixing cracks in your filter system - as soon as you fix one another will probably show up. It might be time to bite the bullet and install a new filter... - Jon

You might want to look for someone in your area that has a small camera on the end of a flexible line (I don't remember for the life of me what that's called) - kinda like when they scope your knee and such. That might pinpoint a crack in one of your inlet or return lines. Hope this helps.. - Jon

Hello to all - I have an inground swimming pool that I have been enjoying since we moved here back in 1995. I completely replaced the old sand filter and plumbing about 6-7 years ago and installed a DE filter and a heater, and replumbed all of the new components. My problem is that, over the years, the pressure of the output of the filter system seems to be less than it was when I originally put it in. I have replaced as many O-rings and gaskets as I can find, but I still have this problem (maybe it's not a problem - maybe it's all in my head!) Anyway, I was thinking about replacing the impeller and pump unit to try and correct this problem and I wondered if the impeller part of the pump could wear out? Is that something that needs to be replaced every once in a while? Your thoughts and suggestions are, as always, welcome... - Jon