Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Pool Filters: How They Work & Benefits

A DE (diatomaceous earth) filter is a type of pool filter that uses diatomaceous earth, a powdery substance made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, to trap dirt and debris. DE filters are very efficient and can remove particles as small as 1 micron (0.00004 inches).

Here's how a DE filter works:

1. Water enters the filter tank. The water enters the filter tank from the pool pump.

2. The water passes through the DE media. The DE media is coated on a series of grids or screens inside the filter tank. As the water passes through the DE media, the particles of dirt and debris are trapped.

3. The filtered water exits the filter tank. The filtered water exits the filter tank and returns to the pool.

DE filters require regular backwashing to remove the accumulated dirt and debris from the DE media. Backwashing is done by reversing the flow of water through the filter tank. This causes the DE media to expand and release the trapped particles.

DE filters are very efficient, but they can also be more expensive to operate than other types of pool filters. This is because DE media can be expensive, and it needs to be replaced regularly.