DE Filters And Why You Shouldn't Have One

[@kevincraig6583]

Thank you for the informative videos. I really was not aware of the health risks of DE until seeing this. I'm considering switching to a sand filter like you recommend. Do you recommend any specific filters? My pool is about 45,000 gallons.

[@PoolSchooler]

Both Pentair and Hayward make a good sand filter. But either way I'd really recommend using the Activate by Dr. Dryden and have it professionally installed.

[@thomascieszenski239]

Everything is known to cause cancer in California. I'm a finish carpenter and our wood products come with a warning tag that saw dust causes cancer. For a few years I left the trades and became a multi location Facility Director for the YMCA. I had several different pools and filter systems. I'll take a DE any day of the week

[@PoolSchooler]

I agree with your statement about California and how they label stuff. However, DE is also very dirty and there’s no doubting that if you get D in your eye, it can and cut the eyelid and lens of your eye. I’ve had both happened to me. The only reason, people filters is because of how well they filter out the smallest particles out of all pool filters. However, with Dr Drydens Activate sand filter glass substitute a sand filter will filter out articles between one and 3 µm which is as good if not better than a DE filter without the added work and mess extra maintenance of a filter. I did a video on it and it would be worth watching: Sand Filter Media That's Better Than DE! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYeslmOcbZxrjLM

[@CP-nf9my]

We had a cartridge filter and replaced it with DE, and I love it. Our water is crystal clear. We put the open DE bag into a clear plastic bag to trap any dust and use a mask. Sooo much easier than a cartridge.

[@PoolSchooler]

I am delighted that you love your DE filter. It certainly is a matter of preference. I just don’t particularly care for the health risk potential of diatomaceous earth.

[@stratdad8218]

We adopted pool with DE filter, not horribly demanding. I wear N95 when handling dry DE, should be fine.

[@PoolSchooler]

@@stratdad8218 Thats fine, but if you get a torn grid (and that will eventually happen, you'll have all that DE in your pool, absorbing into the skin and getting into the eyes. In my opinion I'm about keeping things easy and safe, the more 'moving parts' the greater the chance of something going wrong. I personally don't want to take the chance, but if you're ok with it that's fine. I just put the information out there. Thanks for commenting.

[@stratdad8218]

@@PoolSchooler don’t get me wrong if I had my choice I’m sure I’d go sand, but just have to deal with what I have. By the way I’ve learned a lot through your videos, had never touched a pool unti 2 years ago. Hired a pool guy then but just let him go as I finally have confidence to tackle it myself.

[@PoolSchooler]

@@stratdad8218 totally understand. Owning a pool is not a cheap venture by any means. Honestly I would just keep back washing and running the filter without recharging it until the pressure doesn’t go up anymore after it runs for a long time and then you can start recharging the filter with the appropriate amount of DE

[@justinbrumley4350]

Love your videos. When I first got my pool installed you were a huge help. Have you had any experience with the Perlite filter media that is used instead of the DE powder? It's supposed to have the same filtration as DE but non toxic. I haven't switched yet but was just told about it a few months ago.

[@PoolSchooler]

Unfortunately, I do not have any experience with that product. However, even without the DE. You have the maintenance issues and upkeep issues of a DE filter because they are still the most maintenance intense filters out there. You still have to backwash every several weeks and recharge and you have to have the grids, cleaned at least annually and inspected for tears. So I’m not a fan of the filters at all even without the DE in the safety risk of DE. There still a hassle. I recommend people get a sand filter and use Dr. Drydens activate glass filter, media substitute instead of actual sand. However, since you have a DE filter, the perlite is better than de for sure.

[@BryanStoudt]

Hey Kenny, I’m sold on your recommendation of a sand filter with the doctor Dryden’s. How do you know when it’s time to replace your DE filter? (Not the grids, but the whole filter itself.)

[@PoolSchooler]

It really depends on the environment it's in. But typically if you notice that the housing is getting really deteriorated it may be time to replace. In my opinion because of how bad and messy DE filters are I'd say immediately.

[@jeremiahmejias6719]

Thanks man just got the dr dryden glass media. I tried everything from Sand to regular glass to cotton balls . I live in Florida when we get an inch of rain a night. My pool is and above ground pool 22'x4' round. Hopefully this stuff works

[@PoolSchooler]

@@jeremiahmejias6719 follow their installation instructions and watch this video on how to not have a green pool again and you should be golden: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2XLkpZql8qEqcUfeature=shared

[@dblomvo7732]

Hello. Thank you for your service. Can you use Dr Dryden with your DE filter?

[@PoolSchooler]

NO, it's a sand filter media substitute. Not for use in a DE filter EVER. You'd have to have a sand filter.

[@dblomvo7732]

Thank you for your response 🙏 for you and your family. Stay safe ✌️

[@PoolSchooler]

You are very welcome. Hope you will subscribe to my channel and share it with others.

[@helensweatt4327]

Thank you, very informative

[@PoolSchooler]

Hope it helps.

[@MoeCholla]

Greetings from a fellow AZ pool man! I just replaced a TR60 yesterday and used glass... My second one this year. Seems like it's the way to go!

[@PoolSchooler]

I’ve become a big fan, especially of the Dr. Dryden’s activate

[@CameronClay-bv4qe]

If you have a de filter or you service DE filters, Perlite basically a synthetic DE is your best bet when it comes to the safest form for handling

[@Poolknot]

While i have started to become a fan of the Dr drydens glass, sand filters are absolutely terrible at turning a pool over [green to clean]. Every filter has its pros and cons. It depends on landscape, location, bather load, and waste water discharge options [ where to discharge]. In the end ill take a functioning DE filter over cartridge, sand/glass any day.

[@Poolknot]

However my experience installing/maintaining the glass is minimal, I DO think it is the start to end of earth filters

[@wagnerj01]

Thanks for this video as a follow up to video "Sand Filter Media That's Better Than DE!". I am convinced! I'm looking into this option now.

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@highoctaneadventure]

I used to teach swimming with our municipality’s 25m competition pool with a DE filter and we used to have maintenance shifts. When it came time to fill the DE hopper, it was disconcerting being kids and putting on n95 masks, gloves, aprons, etc etc. Our chemicals training hit home how toxic the stuff is and how dangerous if breathed in. At home, I think DE filters are banned here because the municipality doesn’t want backwash with DE in the environment or sewer system. Been using a sand filter with Dr. Dryden’s for five years and it is incredible, especially compared to sand. Almost went cartridge to get a better result than sand until learning about glass media.

[@PoolSchooler]

@@highoctaneadventure i’m so glad to hear this. Thank you so much for your comments. I’ve got all but two of my clients off DE and I’m about to the place where if they don’t change over to either Sand or cartridge I’m not gonna service their pools anymore for the main reason that I don’t like the safety and health issues of DE. I’m so glad to hear that you like the doctor Dryden’s product as well.

[@highoctaneadventure]

@@PoolSchoolerGood luck with the clients. Having one less thing to think about or buy for the pool (having DE on hand) I would think is a good thing.

[@michaelcockerell3269]

Is it possible to convert a d.e filter to sand?

[@PoolSchooler]

@@michaelcockerell3269 I don’t believe you can. I’ve never heard of that being done. It’s a different set up internally.

[@michaelcockerell3269]

@@PoolSchooler Thank you, sir.

[@teacherlynn671]

My filter broke (cracked) about 2 years ago. I checked with several pros and no one told me about using a filter that doesn’t require DE. Once I found out there were options I was very sad. I did my homework but got the wrong answers. I have a quad but I wish I could change it but I don’t want to re-pipe it. DE leaks into the pool every time I clean the filter.

[@PoolSchooler]

I’m so sorry to hear that.

[@motomaxsandiego]

Having a pool is a love/hate situation similar to owning a boat.

[@LifeofBrinc]

You are 100% right

[@PoolSchooler]

For sure. I agree 100%

[@cwparadis]

Amen!

[@laurojimenez9541]

What’s the best filter for you or what filter would you recommend.

[@PoolSchooler]

Since I’m not a fan of DE filters, there’s only two real choices and the question is is it OK to backwash your filter in the area you live in for instance, California has been trying for a while to ban filters they get back washed because of the drought that they’ve been having there. So far they haven’t been able to pass it. But that really is the question if you don’t mind back, washing the filter and then a sand filter with the Dr. Dryden‘s activate glass media is the way to go, but if for some reason, backwashing is not a good idea perhaps you don’t have a place to backwash it based on where your pool equipment is at then cartridge filter.

[@angusmcpherson]

Cartridge filters wont catch the algae. Water is never clean, but cloudy and the bottom is strewn with algae from the jets.

[@kongchang1]

Thanks again ,thinking of changing my DE filter.

[@PoolSchooler]

I did a video on a sand filter substitute media that filters as good as DE without the health risks or mess. Here’s a link: Sand Filter Media That's Better Than DE! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYeslmOcbZxrjLM

[@Bdavie69]

I do use a respirator when I use it.

[@PoolSchooler]

Thats a great idea. Hopefully when this filter gets too old you'll consider the sand filter with the Dr. Dryden's Activate. That's my new go to if you want to be able to backwash a filter.

[@mguerramd]

Not the lens of your eye, the cornea. The lens is internal behind the pupil. On another note, I had a guy trash talk the daylights out of Zeolite, which is working fine for me so far. But I want to switch to Dr Drydens when it’s necessary.

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you for the clarification. I've used Zeolite in a sand filter before and it worked fine and you typically can use less of it than sand. BUT I gotta say nothing has come close to this Dr. Drydens Activate. It's totally changed my mind about having a sand filter. Just make sure you follow their instructions on how much of the two coarsenesses you need to buy for your size filter and how to add them.

[@mguerramd]

@@PoolSchooler Thanks for the feedback. It’s good to know that someone with experience gives the nod to the glass, I’m anxious to try it.

[@angusmcpherson]

My cartridge filter allows algae to pass through. Even if i vacuum to waste, the next day there's algae on the pool bottom that the jets deposit. D.E. looks promising from here.

[@PoolSchooler]

Look into a sand filter using Dr. Drydens Activate Glass filter media. It filters as good as DE w/out the potential health and safety risks to you and others. ALSO, you may want to watch these two videos. Algae and Algaecides and Why You Don't Need Them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6uqoH5qeMlqqsUfeature=shared and How To Never Have a Green Pool Again: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2XLkpZql8qEqcUfeature=shared

[@xzerob]

So you think glass is better than de. Like asbestos it is all about the size of the particle. Non of it is good and should be handled with precautions. I also have had more than one pool man tell me that the sand does not need to be replaced that often and may be never. What I dislike about de is what to do with it when your disposing of it. It's difficult to handle and it stains or clings to everything. When wet it becomes cement.

[@PoolSchooler]

In my 20+ years of experience with sand filters and other types of pool filtration, I have found the sand at least in Arizona only lasts about three years and then it starts to get impacted. It also doesn’t filter as small a particle as a DE filter. But with the doctor, Dryden‘s activate glass filter media it does filter as small a particle as de and there’s no safety and health risk with the toxicity of DE. Of course the glass is some thing you have to handle with caution but Dr. driving guarantee the glass media for the life of the filter.

[@CP-ov3ir]

@@PoolSchooler Thank you for this answer.

[@PoolSchooler]

@@CP-ov3ir You're welcome Hope you’ll subscribe to and share my channel.

[@jenniferterry5540]

Sounds like we could use the spent DE to fill in the pot holes on the driveway!

[@markkozlowski3409]

Weird, only causes cancer in one state.

[@parkerottoackley6325]

Haha 👍

[@PoolSchooler]

😄🤣

[@testboga5991]

Everything causes cancer in California

[@markkaupas8921]

Had pools for 25 years with every type of filter and you would have to pry my DE filter out of my cold dead hands.

[@technoassassyn]

Exactly

[@mikedaflame8483]

Man you look younger and younger.

[@PoolSchooler]

Thanks.

[@setthehook4me]

Beer has the same label too...

[@PoolSchooler]

I'm not sure it says it can cause lung cancer from prolonged exposure. 👍

[@timothyfrank3473]

DE sucks. I love my sand filter. It does need correct installation ... but, extremely durable under all crazy weather and chemical conditions, and very inexpensive to operate. I expect to get 10 years out of the media before it needs another media change.

[@PoolSchooler]

Try Activate Glass Sand Substitute. It filters as good as DE and is guaranteed for the life of your filter

[@CP-ov3ir]

@@PoolSchooler So, is the glass better than cellulose? Pool store told me that was the safe replacement. What a mess that was! It's no where near a replacement.

[@PoolSchooler]

@@CP-ov3ir Yes absolutely! I don't care for ANY other type of sand substitute. The Activate is fantastic.

[@jjoser62]

Must be a California, Demo 😅

[@PoolSchooler]

Nope Arizona. I was born and raised in Nor Cal then lived in So Cal for about 8 years.

[@BryanStoudt]

Hey Kenny, I’m sold on your recommendation of a sand filter with the doctor Dryden’s. How do you know when it’s time to replace your DE filter? (Not the grids, but the whole filter itself.)

[@PoolSchooler]

It really depends on the environment it's in. But typically if you notice that the housing is getting really deteriorated it may be time to replace. In my opinion because of how bad and messy DE filters are I'd say immediately.

[@BryanStoudt]

Hey Kenny, I’m sold on your recommendation of a sand filter with the doctor Dryden’s. How do you know when it’s time to replace your DE filter? (Not the grids, but the whole filter itself.)

[@PoolSchooler]

It really depends on the environment it's in. But typically if you notice that the housing is getting really deteriorated it may be time to replace. In my opinion because of how bad and messy DE filters are I'd say immediately.

[@BryanStoudt]

@@PoolSchooler Okay, thanks. The housing looks fairly old, but I wouldn't say it looks deteriorated as in it might crack. The ring around the middle looks fine, too. Unfortunately, the label with the manufacture date has been ripped off, so I can't tell how old it is. The filter housing only gets a few hours of sun each day, so that probably helps. But honestly I'm looking forward to it needing to be replaced so I can go with the sand/Dryden's configuration you suggest.