DE stuck on air breather tube causing filter top to burst open

Pool Maintenance
1

Hi,

Cleaned out DE filter 36 sq ft., lubed o-ring, clamped, air relief valve working. Primed pump. Slurried in 6 cups of the Aladdin DE scoop cup. Start PSI indicated 17. everything seemed fine for next 20-30 mins and then filter top popped and water sprayed out.

Opened up top filter, DE coated nicely on grids, no DE clumped on top manifold, but, clump of DE and some debris atop breather tube. I have a Titan RPM tank assembly; bought an entire replacement grid assembly Pentair 59023500, and the air breather tube is long plastic with a mesh head atop which is removable.

So, the top filter blow out was at 18-19 PSI, have you heard of this happening to anyone. Do I need to replace the breather tube? Do I need to replace the clamp, it’s a metal band? Too much DE? Any ideas?

Again upon opening up top of filter, DE were nicely set on the grids. No DE found scattered on top manifold. But DE clumped and some debris atop mesh head of air breather tube, which I am presuming is what caused top to pop off and spray water out.

Thanks

2

The top should not have blown off if the PSI was only 18-19. It’s possible that the lid and clamp weren’t tightened down properly. If that’s not the case, the clamp may need to be replaced.

3

Just here to add I’ve had the same filter model for 7 years, 2 years with a second purchase and never had the top blow off until now. The only thing I did different was zip tie the air breather mesh on after losing the clamp. It was completely coated in DE. Maybe coincidence, maybe not.