How Much D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth) do I Add?

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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 effect 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 as 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 3,000 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 good 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 a good way to tell if you need to backwash your filter.

Backwashing tip: If you open up 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.

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