Hayward EC40 DE Filter

[Sassafras]

I think there are a few members out there who run a Hayward EC40 diatomaceous earth swimming pool filter on their larger tanks, Oughtsix being one I remember. I am considering using one of these as part of the filtration on a 750 gallon tank I am planning. If anyone using this filter could offer any pros/cons, tips, caveats based on their experience, I would really appreciate it.

I would also like to confirm its dimensions. My online search yielded 26.5", 31" and 41" as the overall height of the filter from different sources. I suspect that this discrepancy is due to whether the filter is "filter only" or mounted on a base with a pump as a system. I am having an extruded T-slot aluminum stand designed and don't want to run into any interior space/height problems. Thanks to anyone who is willing to share their experience with this filter.

 

[Sassafras]

Nobody here run one of these filters?

 

[Matteus]

Nobody here run one of these filters?

No experience yet, but I have one sitting dry waiting for me to pull it out of storage so I am intrigued to hear as well.

 

[jjohnwm]

No experience yet, but I have one sitting dry waiting for me to pull it out of storage so I am intrigued to hear as well.

Could you share where you sourced this filter? I have been on the lookout for one for several years now, but they are difficult to find in Canada...and even more difficult to find at reasonable prices. When I first started to research them they were a couple hundred bucks...but no longer!

I want to add one to my existing filtration, as a final "polishing" step before the water returns to the tank. My initial mechanical filtration will continue to remove the bulk of the particulate matter, so the DE filter should run for months between servicings.

 

[Matteus]

Could you share where you sourced this filter? I have been on the lookout for one for several years now, but they are difficult to find in Canada...and even more difficult to find at reasonable prices. When I first started to research them they were a couple hundred bucks...but no longer!

I want to add one to my existing filtration, as a final "polishing" step before the water returns to the tank. My initial mechanical filtration will continue to remove the bulk of the particulate matter, so the DE filter should run for months between servicings.

My brother in law pulled it off of his pool because he upgraded to different style of filter.

I’m not sure if it is the exact model in question, but I know it is a Hayward

 

[jjohnwm]

Okay, thanks for the quick response. Hopefully the one you have has that innovative pump handle to recoat the screens periodically without need to dismantle or backflush. Outstanding design feature!

 

[Sassafras]

Could you share where you sourced this filter? I have been on the lookout for one for several years now, but they are difficult to find in Canada...and even more difficult to find at reasonable prices. When I first started to research them they were a couple hundred bucks...but no longer!

I want to add one to my existing filtration, as a final "polishing" step before the water returns to the tank. My initial mechanical filtration will continue to remove the bulk of the particulate matter, so the DE filter should run for months between servicings.

A local swimming pool supply shop in my area is able to get them. Price is up around $450 now. Apparently, DE filtration for pools is falling out of favor due to the hassle of dealing with the DE powder and/or cellulose alternative. The pool shop said sand filters were the most popular these days. I have also seen the filters online. Ebay has both new and pre-owned listings that run $350-$600.

 

[jjohnwm]

A local swimming pool supply shop in my area is able to get them. Price is up around $450 now. Apparently, DE filtration for pools is falling out of favor due to the ehassle of dealing with the DE powder and/or cellulose alternative. The pool shop said sand filters were the most popular these days. I have also seen the filters online. Ebay has both new and pre-owned listings that run $350-$600.

Thanks, but Matteus and I are both subjects of the People's Republic of Canuckistan; many/most retailers from the U.S. won't ship up here, and shipping ain't cheap for those that do.

I would prefer to find a new warrantied filter sold up here, but getting to the point where I'll probably grab anything if the price is reasonable. The US$450 price you found is more than twice what Oughtsix paid about 10 years ago, and translates to over C$560 so not as attractive as it once was. I definitely want the smallest version, the 45, not the 65, simply because of the physical size. My tank is only 360 gallons, so even the small one is far more capable than I need.

I love the disease- and parasite-control aspect of DE filtration, and was a big fan of the old Vortex DE filters back in the day; this idea of a DE filter running continuously, rather than just an hour or two per week, makes me giddy! I can well imagine a complete revamp of several of my tanks to put them all on a single system filtered by one Hayward. Perfect water, no parasites, one filter to clean...and that only rarely. Sighhhhhh.....

 

[Sassafras]

Thanks, but Matteus and I are both subjects of the People's Republic of Canuckistan; many/most retailers from the U.S. won't ship up here, and shipping ain't cheap for those that do.

I would prefer to find a new warrantied filter sold up here, but getting to the point where I'll probably grab anything if the price is reasonable. The US$450 price you found is more than twice what Oughtsix paid about 10 years ago, and translates to over C$560 so not as attractive as it once was. I definitely want the smallest version, the 45, not the 65, simply because of the physical size. My tank is only 360 gallons, so even the small one is far more capable than I need.

I love the disease- and parasite-control aspect of DE filtration, and was a big fan of the old Vortex DE filters back in the day; this idea of a DE filter running continuously, rather than just an hour or two per week, makes me giddy! I can well imagine a complete revamp of several of my tanks to put them all on a single system filtered by one Hayward. Perfect water, no parasites, one filter to clean...and that only rarely. Sighhhhhh.....

Exactly the reason I am headed in this direction! I remember that "air clear" water after the ole Vortex had run a few hours. The ability to revive the DE with the flexible fingers multiple times before recharging with new DE is also very attractive.

 

[Sassafras]

Exactly the reason I am headed in this direction! I remember that "air clear" water after the ole Vortex had run a few hours. The ability to revive the DE with the flexible fingers multiple times before recharging with new DE is also very attractive.

Sorry about the availability problem in Canada. I see from a quick ebay.ca or amazon.ca search that lots of "Currently Unavailable" or just parts and larger size units turn up.