Hayward Perflex Extended-Cycle D.E. Filter - EC65A

D.E. – The Water Polisher

Diatomaceous Earth — also known as DE, TSS and Diatomite — is a naturally occurring, soft, chalk-like sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. This powder has an abrasive feel, and is very light, as it is composed of microscopically small, coffin-like, hollow particles. The most common use (68%) of Diatomaceous Earth is as a filter medium, especially for swimming pools. 

The D.E. filter is the most efficient type of pool filter on the market. It can trap particles down to 3 - 5 microns; well below what the naked eye can see.

***6 or 7 lbs D.E. required***

• Exclusive bump handle activates the mechanism causing the Flex-Tubes to instantly and uniformly clean themselves of dirt and filter powder
• Self-venting design automatically expels any air that may be present in the system
• Proven, patented Flex-Tube filter elements efficiently reuse the filter powder and dirt mixture forming a fresh filtering surface
• Combination pressure gauge and threaded inspection/service port is easy to read and remove when filter needs cleaning
• Heavy-duty filter tank injection-molded of high-strength for dependable, corrosion-free performance
• Integral check valve prevents system backflow whenever pump is off

The D.E. powder is what filters your pool water in a D.E. filter. Do not operate your pump without having the D.E. powder coating the grids.  Otherwise, you will see your pressure rise very quickly, and if left in this manner the grids could become damaged.

A D.E. filter requires that the operator (you) add D.E. powder to coat the filter grids inside of the filter tank, where the dirt gets trapped in your filter. The powder, which is added at your skimmer, dissolves in the pipe on its way to the filter tank. When it reaches the grids, which are covered with a nylon type of fabric, the powder stops, coating the grid. The water continues to pass, first through the powder, then through the fabric covered grid. As the water passes through the D.E. and enters the grid. it leaves the dirt, trapped in the D.E. powder "cake" or coating.

As the pressure gauge on a D.E. filter increases, flow rate decreases. Eventually the flow rate will allow the water quality to suffer. As with sand filters, the pressure gauge indicates a need for backwashing when it reads 8 - 10 lbs. higher than its clean reading. After backwashing a D.E. filter, a new application of D.E. filter powder is added to the filter by pouring into the skimmer.

When backwashing a D.E. filter, do the "process" several times. That is, backwash until water runs clear, move the multiport valve to FILTER and run it on filter for a 5 - 10 seconds, and backwash again until it runs clear, etc…do this 2 - 4 times. Remember to always shut off the pump before turning your multiport valve or your push-pull valve.

Also important in ensuring an effective backwashing is to make sure skimmer baskets and pump baskets are clean to allow for full flow entering the filter.

An annual breakdown of the filter is necessary to thoroughly clean D.E. filter grids.