QuadDE filter with Pentair 261050 sand valve?

[TX_JM]

We moved into a house with an existing pool last year. So far it's been going well. Today I noticed some bubbles on our return jets after they had been running a while. I suspected a return side leak so started digging around looking for things.

I noticed a crack on the top of our valve so started digging into what it would take to replace. This is where the fun begins!

We have a Quad DE filter and I've been backwashing and using DE (as per instruction from prior owner). I noticed that the model on the valve specifically calls out 'sand' with a part number of 261050.

I found the valve on amazon and noticed in the comments that there is a difference between DE and Sand versions:

Amazon.com : Pentair 261050 2-Inch HiFlow Valve with Plumbing Replacement Pool/Spa D.E. and Sand Filter : Swimming Pool Filter Valves : Garden & Outdoor

Comment from customer:

"The DE Valve and Sand valves are the same. However the filter connections are reversed between the Sand filter version and the DE filter version. You can Identify this by looking at the waste and outlet ports. The sand filter version has the waste port on the right side when looking at the valve mounted on the filter. The DE version has the waste port on the left side when looking at the valve mounted on the filter. This is very import as sand filters move the water from the top down and DE filters move the water from the bottom up. Don't install the wrong valve. Amazon has this listing wrong."

I rechecked my setup and my waste is on the right side when looking at the valve to filter connection.

I'm thinking about just replacing it with same model since the plumbing is already in place. The filter and the valve are dated from 2013 so I assume its been working fine for 7 years.

I am worried about the comment about sand filters moving the water from top/down versus DE moving water from bottom/up. Does that mean that my valve is feeding my DE filter backward? Would that even work?

Thanks for your input.

TX_JM

 

[bdavis466]

The sand filters and Quad DE filters can use the same valve. The true DE filters and cartridge filters use different valves.

If it was my setup I would remove the backwash valve all together and plumb the pump straight into the filter intake. Then you would just open up the filter to clean it as needed. The backwash valves are very restrictive and back washing is not very effective (especially on the Quad filters).

 

[Jimrahbe]

JM,

To just follow up on the not backwashing idea.. I have a couple of rent house pools that have DE filters.. I quit backwashing them about 3 or 4 years ago.. I just take them apart and clean them twice a year.. When you backwash, you only get about 80% of the dirty DE out. And the more you backwash, the less and less dirt you get out.. It is a good idea to open and clean them once a year anyway.. My DE filters are the older grid style and smaller than a quad, so you should have no issues with not backwashing.

Each pool is different and you may get a lot more stuff in your pool than I do. The key is to keep and eye on your filter pressure..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[TX_JM]

The sand filters and Quad DE filters can use the same valve. The true DE filters and cartridge filters use different valves.

If it was my setup I would remove the backwash valve all together and plumb the pump straight into the filter intake. Then you would just open up the filter to clean it as needed. The backwash valves are very restrictive and back washing is not very effective (especially on the Quad filters).

I appreciate the info! Glad to hear that I'm not going nuts worrying that its been reversed.

I'm considering your recommendation of replumbing directly from pump to inlet on filter, and from outlet to water heater. I'd have to look at my setup to see how difficult the plumbing would be.

 

[bdavis466]

Post some pictures.

The quad is a good filter. Even though it has DE in the name it's not really a true DE filter. It's a hybrid between a grid-style DE filter and a cartridge filter which takes the best of both of those two filters and combines them into one.

The cartridges are easy to clean, it filters extremely well and is very efficient.

 

[TX_JM]

JM,

To just follow up on the not backwashing idea.. I have a couple of rent house pools that have DE filters.. I quit backwashing them about 3 or 4 years ago.. I just take them apart and clean them twice a year.. When you backwash, you only get about 80% of the dirty DE out. And the more you backwash, the less and less dirt you get out.. It is a good idea to open and clean them once a year anyway.. My DE filters are the older grid style and smaller than a quad, so you should have no issues with not backwashing.

Each pool is different and you may get a lot more stuff in your pool than I do. The key is to keep and eye on your filter pressure..

Thanks,

Jim R.

The prior owner was really nice about showing me the ropes on the pool setup (and other areas of the home), he and his wife raised their kids here and it showed that he cared for the home. He showed me a complete tear-down of the filters and we cleaned it together. That would have been late July of last year. When freshly cleaned the pressure was around 24 and I've back-washed a few times when it hit 30. I was getting a DE cloud late last summer and decided to tear it apart again. The mushroom looking filter piece on top was cracked so I replaced it, while I had it apart we cleaned it again. So its actually been torn apart and cleaned almost as often as its been backwashed since I've owned it.

A concern I have about bypassing the valve setup would be draining the pool. I've got some other maintenance coming up that will require me to bring the water level down. I've got some tiles that fell off just below water level. Need to get in there and clean up, put some fresh cement in to bring it flush, then replace the tiles properly.

What do you guys do to lower level if the valve is removed?

 

[TX_JM]

Post some pictures.

The quad is a good filter. Even though it has DE in the name it's not really a true DE filter. It's a hybrid between a grid-style DE filter and a cartridge filter which takes the best of both of those two filters and combines them into one.

The cartridges are easy to clean, it filters extremely well and is very efficient.

I'll try and snap some pictures and post them.

 

[bdavis466]

The prior owner was really nice about showing me the ropes on the pool setup (and other areas of the home), he and his wife raised their kids here and it showed that he cared for the home. He showed me a complete tear-down of the filters and we cleaned it together. That would have been late July of last year. When freshly cleaned the pressure was around 24 and I've back-washed a few times when it hit 30. I was getting a DE cloud late last summer and decided to tear it apart again. The mushroom looking filter piece on top was cracked so I replaced it, while I had it apart we cleaned it again. So its actually been torn apart and cleaned almost as often as its been backwashed since I've owned it.

A concern I have about bypassing the valve setup would be draining the pool. I've got some other maintenance coming up that will require me to bring the water level down. I've got some tiles that fell off just below water level. Need to get in there and clean up, put some fresh cement in to bring it flush, then replace the tiles properly.

What do you guys do to lower level if the valve is removed?

Most people use a submersible pump.

You can also install a standard 3 way valve before the filter that goes to the waste line

 

[Jimrahbe]

He showed me a complete tear-down of the filters and we cleaned it together.

JM,

That is almost unheard of.. What a great guy!!!!

I would use a sump pump to lower the pool level.

If you need to drain often, then add a 3-way valve between the pump and the filter.

Keep in mind that the Quad filters have their input and output connections backwards to most other filters.. As long as the markings are still there it should not be an issue.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[TX_JM]

JM,

That is almost unheard of.. What a great guy!!!!

I would use a sump pump to lower the pool level.

If you need to drain often, then add a 3-way valve between the pump and the filter.

Keep in mind that the Quad filters have their input and output connections backwards to most other filters.. As long as the markings are still there it should not be an issue.

Thanks,

Jim R.

The input/output orientation was my primary concern. Filter body stickers are starting to peel, but still has it labeled as Input on top and output on bottom. That is a good reminder that I need to relabel some other piece out there. Texas sun is brutal. I'd really like to get the pool gear covered to see if it helps with longevity.

I guess that means my 'sand' valve (when in filter mode) is 'to filter' on top and 'from filter' on bottom. (Pump comes in via bottom center on valve)