Adding DE to your Filter: a Detailed Guide

Adding the right amount of D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth) can be challenging as the measurement guides can vary from bag to bag. Adding too much or too little can affect filter performance and water quality. Note: You DO NOT use D.E. in a Cartridge filter - it will clog it up.

The simplest way to add the correct amount is with a D.E. scoop. I use the DE EZ Scoop (1 Lb.) by Aladdin (300). You can find an exact clone of this scoop at Leslie's pool supplies. This takes all the guesswork out of adding D.E. to your pool.

In the video, you will see my D.E. amount recommendation but you can also use the one on the Aladdin cup itself which is one scoop per 5 sq. ft. of filter area. I was trained by an old-time pool guy who had over 40 years of experience and the measurements I use were passed down to me by him and I have been using the same D.E. measurements for over 15 years now.

I have cleaned over 4,000 filters with the majority until recently being D.E. filters (Cartridge filters are becoming more popular and make up a good percentage of the filters I clean now). So, you will have satisfactory results using either.

The D.E. bag or box also has some other tips like adding a cup of D.E. before a big party. You can do this without harm, but I just make sure my D.E. filters opened up and cleaned every six months with occasional backwashing in the Summer after heavy use or when the gauge goes up 10 psi from the clean pressure (example: If the gauge reads 20 psi after cleaning and two months later goes up to 30 psi I will backwash the filter).

Anytime the gauge is at 30 psi or over it is time to backwash in most cases (some filters however just run high due to the return line plumbing). But in most cases, the pressure gauge is an effective way to tell if you need to backwash your filter.

Backwashing tip: If you open the valve to backwash your filter and nothing but clear water comes out then it is time to take it apart and clean it. That means the D.E. has compacted and turned to a clay-like consistency and won't come off the grids in backwash mode.

Note: All measurements below are with the Aladdin DE Scoop

My recommended dosage amount of D.E.:
36 sq. ft filter = 6 full scoops
48 sq. ft filter = 8 full scoops
60 sq. ft filter = 10 full scoops
72 sq. ft filter = 12 full scoops

45 sec to 1-minute filter backwashing with the Aladdin 300 DE E-Z Scoop:

24 sq ft filter: 2 scoops
36 sq ft filter: 3 scoops
48 sq ft filter: 4 scoops
60 sq ft filter: 6 scoops
72 sq ft filter: 8 scoops

How Much D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth) do I Add?: http://youtu.be/lz97RnlATi0
QUAD D.E.® Cartridge Style Filter – How to Add D.E.: https://youtu.be/kopsa6NS77U

AQUA-CEL DE:
Aqua-Cel DE Pool Filter Media is the safest way to add Diatomaceous Earth (DE), to your DE filter. It comes in a 12 lbs. bag with 12 water-soluble bags inside each weighing one pound. To recharge your DE filter, you would just take the water-soluble bag and drop it into the skimmer while the pool is running. The bag will dissolve in 40-60 seconds and you will not be exposed to any of the dust from the DE powder.

They are also pre-measured, and each water-soluble bag contains 1 lb. of DE. This makes adding the correct amount of DE to your filter very easy. Just follow the dosage chart on the back of the bag for your filter size and that is it. Take out a water-soluble bag, drop it in the skimmer, watch it dissolve and then add another bag. It is that simple. Every 12 lbs. bag of Aqua-Cel comes with 12 pre-measured bags so one bag is enough for your filter cleaning. Depending on your filter size and how often you backwash, one bag of Aqua-Cel could last you the entire year. Aqua-Cel is also great for Backwashing your filter during the season.

CELAPOOL DE:
CelaPool™, a revolutionary new low dust diatomaceous earth (DE) filter aid by EP Minerals. CelaPool is a form of DE that produces very little dust, in fact, none at all in my testing.

It is a relatively new product and it is not widely available yet. PoolCorp (SCP & Superior) will be stocking it sometime in 2017 for the pool service professional. Leslie's Pools should also stock it for the retail pool customer so check with your local pool store. Since it is new it is rather expensive online but available:

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