Under the power of a microscope, you can see that a single diatom is very porous, consisting of about 85% void space. The median particle size is approximately 40 microns. A precoat in a filter is comprised of many millions of these particles. Effective filtration depends on the even distribution of DE across the grids. Backwashing merely displaces the material.
EP Minerals Under the ability of a microscope, you can meet that a single diatom is very porous, consisting of about 85% void space. The median particle size is approximately 40 microns. A precoat in a filter is comprised of many millions of these particles. Effective filtration depends on the even distribution of DE across the grids. Backwashing just displaces the material.

Over the by several years, equally parts of the nation grappled with a severe drought, the industry has developed a more than h2o-sensitive arroyo to the manner it maintains pools. Nosotros've seen numerous examples of this, such as advocating for evaporation covers, limiting the utilize of waterfeatures, and being more conscientious about our drain-and-refill practices.

But at that place is another water-conservation practice that still hasn't quite caught on.

In the minds of many service technicians, backwashing is a quick and easy way to purge the filter of clay and old diatomaceous globe. Simply height off the filter with fresh DE, and yous're practiced to become, correct?

This is better in theory than in practice.

In reality, much of that old media remains. What y'all'll accept then is sometime DE mixed with new, creating an inconsistent precoat throughout the surface expanse of the grids.

That's why I'm encouraging service techs to retrieve twice before backwashing DE filters. Rather than aftermath, I propose cleaning the filter. Non merely is this a more h2o-wise approach, but information technology besides will help the filter office more than effectively, resulting in a cleaner pool.

To understand why I'm advocating this approach, we should take a closer look at what this material is and how it works.

A single diatom is very porous, with about 85% void space. In the typical pool course of DE, the particles are actually an aggregation of individual diatom particles, with a median particle size of approximately forty microns. The precoat formed in the filter makes up many millions of these particles on the filter element.

By backwashing, you lot simply disturb the even distribution of the media. Also, the residual clay will add pressure level in the filter. Introducing new DE to the mix only compounds matters. In doing this, you could end up overcharging the filter. Where old media meets new, the DE could exist too thick in places, bridging gaps between grids, clogging the flow of water.

In that location is a amend fashion.

By cleaning the filter, y'all not only salve water, you lot showtime afresh. At present you lot can add the proper corporeality of media, re-establishing an acceptable, even precoat.

Cleaning the filter is a lengthier process than simply backwashing. It involves disassembling the filter, removing the grids and rinsing off the dirt. Y'all may need to use a detergent solution or filter cleanser and a canteen castor.

To recharge the filter, I propose following a couple key steps that some professionals skip. For i matter, you lot'll need to create slurry earlier adding the new media. A good rule of thumb is ane to two pounds of DE per gallon of water. The resulting mix should be the consistency of a milkshake. Simply agitate and pour it into the skimmer at a steady charge per unit.

I prefer the slurry method to simply dumping dry DE into the skimmer, which is a common practise. When placing DE directly into the skimmer, the media might not dilute enough earlier it reaches the filter. A skillful slurry creates a mixture of the various-sized particles and reintroduces them into the filter at the same time to form a consequent block across all square feet of grid space.

One more tip: After reassembling the filter, release all the air through the vent. If a trapped air bubble is large enough, it volition prevent the DE from forming a precoat on the height few inches of the grids. As well, small-scale bubbling can push through the grid, displacing the DE. Once more, the goal here is a full, even distribution of the media.

I sympathise that time is money in the service field, so backwashing may seem similar an efficient solution, but it's doing your customer little skilful in the long run. Also, depending on bather load, y'all may exist able to go longer between filter cycles past starting fresh.

And let'due south not forget, you'll save water in the procedure. Consider all the pools with DE filters on your road. That amounts to thousands of gallons per twelvemonth.

How's that for being h2o-wise?

DE Developments

Diatomaceous earth is ancient, derived from fossilized remains of aquatic organisms.

With material that old, you may think there couldn't possibly be whatever new advancement in the product, only y'all'd exist wrong.

At that place is at present a depression-dust option. This important development addresses the biggest complaint service technicians have near working this super-constructive filter media. There is no skirting around the fact that DE is technically a carcinogen. That'south why manufacturers accept long recommended wearing a breathing mask when using the material.

The depression-dust formula prevents the media from forming a cloud when somebody opens the package or scoops out the dry powder, making it safer and cleaner to use.

There are improvements to its packaging, also. In some cases, techs can now mix water direct in the package, farther reducing dust and making information technology more than convenient to work with. Simply dump the mixture directly into the skimmer. No bucket required.