#Hayward de filter grids how to
#Hayward de filter grids full

You can find them in eight ounces, 10 ounces, 24 ounces, but rarely 16 ounces.Īnother option is to use measuring cups. However, one-pound coffee cans are challenging to find these days. One can is equal to ½ pound of DE powder, just like a DE scoop. The most straightforward substitute for a DE scoop is a one-pound coffee can. If you don’t have a DE scoop, though, you can easily measure out DE powder using standard items from your kitchen. So, for six pounds of DE powder, you would use 12 scoops. Each scoop is equivalent to ½ pound of powder. DE scoops make it easy to measure out your powder. You can buy these at any pool supply store or online. The best way to measure DE powder is with a standard DE scoop. Here are the amounts for popular pool filters: Popular Pool Filter Sizes and MeasurementsĪfter a backwash, to get the amount of DE powder, simply take the recommended amount of DE powder for a new filter and multiply it by 0.8, or 80%. So, a 48-square-foot filter would need a little less than four pounds of DE powder. You only need to add about 80% of the amount you would for a new filter. A lot of the old DE powder will come off, so you need to replace it with fresh powder.īackwashing doesn’t remove all the DE powder on your filters, so you don’t have to add as much as you would for a new or thoroughly cleaned filter. Backwashing isn’t a complete clean but simply removes the buildup of residue on your filter grids. To keep your pool in tip-top shape, you should backwash your filter every one to three months. For more specific filter recommendations, head over to my guide on the best pool filter. Note that Hayward recommends a slightly higher amount of DE than our “rule of thumb.” You can test out the amounts yourself and decide what works best for your pool. Let’s look at a few popular DE filters and the recommended amount of DE powder for each. Popular Pool Filter Sizes and Measurements So, a 48-square-foot filter will need about five pounds of DE powder.

#Hayward de filter grids full

However, if you can’t find a suggestion from the manufacturer, you can use a simple rule of thumb: For a full clean or new filter, add one pound of DE powder for every 10 square feet of the filter. Most DE filters include a recommendation for the total amount of DE powder on a fresh filter. A complete clean means taking the filter grids out and thoroughly cleaning them before replacing them. You should do a total DE filter cleaning one or two times per year, as long as you are backwashing your filter every one to three months. Eventually, of course, you’ll have to replace the powder with a complete clean of your filters. As water passes through those grids, the DE powder sifts out the most microscopic sediment. The way DE powder works is by thoroughly coating your filter grids. The amount of DE powder needed will be the same for a complete cleaning or a completely new filter since both start with a “clean slate.”

#Hayward de filter grids how to

We’ll also explain how to measure it and give you a handy rule of thumb. Let’s explore how much DE to add to your pool filter for regular upkeep and complete cleaning. Too little, and you’ll get a buildup of dirt which can also ruin your filter. Too much, and your filter can run too slowly or break down. You also need to be sure you add in the right amount of DE powder. It’s essential to replace DE powder in your pool filter regularly to keep your swimming pool from getting cloudy. When added to your pool filter, DE powder functions as a sponge, allowing water through but straining out even the tiniest particles of dirt and debris. But what exactly is it, how often should you replace it, and how much DE powder should you use for your pool filter?ĭE stands for diatomaceous earth, a naturally occurring sedimentary rock or sand extracted from the ground and crushed into a powder. You may have heard that DE powder is the magic ingredient for keeping your pool crystal clear.