These instructions are provided for your convenience. They are not meant to supersede any instructions provided by the equipment manufacturer or your pool builder. Pool Emporium, Inc. assumes no liabilities.

Chemically Cleaning A D.E. Filter With A Multi-port

These are generic instructions. Your filter's construction may vary from that described below.

You should chemically clean your filter at least once a year (preferably twice), or when pressure cannot be relieved through backwashing. (Biguanide users, such as SoftSwim® should clean their filters at least every 6 weeks.)

1. Backwash and rinse the filter in the normal manner, but do not recharge the D.E. Leave the pump shut off and roll up the backwash hose.
2. Open the air relief valve.
3. Remove the threaded drain plug at the bottom of the filter tank to allow the rest of the water to drain out.
4. Remove the metal clamp from the tank, and lift off the top of the tank.
5. Carefully grasp the manifold that is holding all of the grids in place, and lift the entire set of grids out of the filter tank.
6. Hose off the grids to remove any D.E. and debris that was not removed during the backwashing process.
7. Inspect your grids for torn or frayed fabric, or broken plastic internals. Replace as necessary.
8. Fill a large, clean trash can half way with water. Make sure the trash can is large enough to allow the grids to be fully submerged.
9. Add BioGuard's Strip-Kwik® (de-greaser) to the water in the trash can. The amount of Strip-Kwik® you will need depends on how big your grid assembly is, and the size of the bucket you are soaking it in. Two bottles may be necessary. Very dirty filters, or those that have gone over one year since their last chemical cleaning may require even more. A solution that is too heavily diluted will not do a good job. (Note: Biguanide users, such as SoftSwim®, will need to use BioGuard's SoftSwim® Filter Cleaner, following label directions.)
10. Place the grids in the trash can and fill the rest of the trash can with water.
11. Soak for at least four hours, but not more than 24 hours.
12. While the grids are soaking, take your garden hose and manually rinse out the filter tank. Don't forget to replace the drain plug when you are finished. This is also a good time to clean-up and re-lube the tank o-ring.
13. Rinse off the grids and rinse out the trash can.
14. The following steps may not be necessary! Test to see by placing a few drops of acid on one of the grids. Proceed if you see any bubbling. If you do not see any bubbling, do not proceed - your chemical cleaning process is completed.
15. Again fill the trash can with water and add approximately the same amount of BioGuard's Kleen-It® (de-scaler) as Strip-Kwik® was used. You may substitute an acid solution for the Kleen-It®. Add one gallon muriatic acid for every four gallons of water.
16. Place the grids in the trash can,and fill the rest of the trash can with water.
17. Soak for at least four hours, but not more than 24.
18. Rinse off the grids and rinse out the trash can. This completes the chemical cleaning process.
19. Reassemble your filter.
20. Start the pump, and close the air relief valve when a steady stream of water shoots out of it.
21. Recharge with D.E. (Note: You will have better D.E. distribution if you place your D.E. slurry mix directly in the bottom of the filter tank before you replace the assembly. If you choose to use this method, skip step 20, and take extra care not to allow any of the mixture to enter open plumbing. Then close the air relief valve when a steady stream of water shoots out of it.)

Please note: With some filters, it may be necessary to gently tap around the clamp with a hammer (preferably a rubber mallet) as you tighten it.