Maintaining Your D.E. Filter System

STARTING UP YOUR D.E. FILTER SYSTEM

Proper installation of your Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) Filter will ensure trouble free operation and maintenance throughout the pool season.

START-UP STEPS:

  1. Inspect the diaphragm gasket, tube sheets, and tube fingers or grids for cracks or tears
  2. Check bump head mechanism for smooth operation
  3. Inspect check valve assembly in filter tank to ensure proper operation
  4. Inspect strainer housing and filter tank for cracks
  5. Assemble filter base, attach pump and motor assembly, and place filter tank on base
  6. Connect union between pump and filter tank
  7. Place filter head on filter tank and secure using filter head bolts or filter head clamp, depending on model
  8. Connect hose from bottom of skimmer to pump assembly input fitting on front of strainer housing
  9. Connect the hose from output fitting on filter head to the return fitting on pool
  10. Depending on model, Install filter tank drain plug or check that tank drain valve is closed
  11. Be sure to place the strainer basket into the strainer housing
  12. Open vent valve on top of filter head
  13. Fill strainer housing with water until full allowing air to bleed out of tank; once full, close vent valve
  14. Remove any old lubricant and re-lubricate the strainer cover o-ring (using water based or silicone based lubricant only!)
  15. Seat and lock the strainer cover onto the strainer housing
  16. Fill the pool until the water level is ¾ of the way up the skimmer opening
  17. Open the suction and return valves (when used)
  18. Turn on filter system and allow the filter tank to fill up with water
  19. Check the filter head and all hoses and fittings for leaks
  20. Slurry the manufacturer's recommended amount of D.E. through the skimmer while the filter system is running as fast as the plumbing can take it
  21. Document the pressure gauge reading

Congratulations! You have successfully started up your D.E. filter system. You may now begin your normal filtering schedule. It is recommended that the filter be run a minimum of 10 hours a day. For 27′ through 33′ pools, the filter should run at least 12 hours per day.

BUMPING YOUR D.E. FILTER SYSTEM

Bumping the filter knocks all of the dirt caught on the fingers or grids in the filter off and allows it to fall to the bottom of the filter tank temporarily reducing the pressure on the filter head. Bumping should be performed when the pressure on the filter increases 7-10 psi above its normal reading. Normal reading is defined as the beginning pressure when the filter is first started after cleaning or when first hooking the filter up.

BUMPING STEPS:

  1. Turn off the filter system
  2. Move the bump handle down slowly until it bottoms out
  3. Thrust the bump handle up briskly
  4. Repeat step 2 & 3 between 3 - 6 times
  5. Turn the filter system on

Filtration will resume at near the original flow and pressure. After each bumping, and until the filter is cleaned, there may be a slight increase in the starting pressure. This is the result of dirt accumulating within the filter and is completely normal.

CLEANING YOUR D.E. FILTER SYSTEM

Cleaning is recommended when the gauge pressure rises more than 10 psi in less than a 24 hour period or when cloudy water returns to the pool for more than 30 seconds after bumping.

CLEANING STEPS:

  1. Turn the filter system off
  2. Move the bump handle down slowly until it bottoms out, then thrust the bump handle up briskly (repeat 8 times)
  3. Close suction and return valves
  4. Open the vent valve on the filter head
  5. Open filter tank drain or remove drain plug and allow water and dirt to empty completely
  6. After the filter has drained, and with the drain still open, open suction side ball valve for a few seconds to flush out any dirt remaining in the bottom of the filter
  7. Close the filter drain
  8. Remove the strainer cover, remove any old o-ring lubricant, and reapply new lubricant
  9. Fill strainer housing with water until full allowing air to bleed out of tank; once full, close vent valve
  10. Open the suction and return valves
  11. Turn on filter system and allow the filter tank to fill up with water
  12. Slurry the manufacturer's recommended amount of D.E. through the skimmer while the filter system is running as fast as the plumbing can take it.
  13. Document the pressure gauge reading

WINTERIZING AND STORING YOUR D.E. FILTER SYSTEM

It is very important that you properly winterize and store your filter system for the winter to avoid any damage that could be caused by the freezing temperatures. In areas where sub-freezing temperatures can be expected, the filter should be drained and removed from its operating location and stored indoors.

PRIOR TO DRAINING THE POOL:

  1. Turn the filter system off
  2. Move the bump handle down slowly until it bottoms out, then thrust the bump handle up briskly (repeat 8 times)
  3. Close suction and return valves
  4. Open the vent valve on the filter head
  5. Open filter tank drain or remove drain plug and allow water and dirt to empty completely
  6. After the filter has drained, and with the drain still open, open suction side ball valve for a few seconds to flush out any dirt remaining in the bottom of the filter
  7. Close the filter drain

ONCE YOU HAVE DRAINED THE POOL:

  1. Remove the drain plug from the bottom of the filter tank and allow all water to drain from the system
  2. Disconnect the input and output hoses from the system
  3. Remove the filter head clamp or filter head bolts, depending on model
  4. Disconnect union between tank and pump housing
  5. Using your garden hose, spray out the inside of the filter tank to remove all remaining dirt, D.E., and/or debris
  6. Remove strainer cover from pump assembly and clean strainer basket and housing
  7. Be sure to remove all water from the pump and strainer assembly and filter tank
  8. Wipe away any existing lubricants from o-rings
  9. Soak the flex tube assembly or grids by submerging them in a 5 gal. bucket filled with Allied Pools Filter Cleaner solution for 12 hours
  10. Thoroughly rinse flex tube assembly or grids to ensure the removal of all filter cleaner solution and any remaining debris
  11. Inspect the diaphragm gasket, tube sheets, and tube fingers or grids for cracks or tears
  12. Store the entire filter system, including pump and motor, in a climate controlled environment for winter. DO NOT LEAVE FILTER SYSTEM OUTSIDE!