Backwash your DE filter when the pressure gauge tells you to.

Don’t backwash on a fixed schedule—go by the pressure gauge. The rule of thumb: backwash when the pressure reads 8–10 PSI above the clean starting pressure. That’s usually the sweet spot.

If you backwash too often, you waste water and DE powder. Wait too long, and the filter gets clogged, flow drops, and your pump works harder. Either way, it’s inefficient. The gauge doesn’t lie.

Also, don’t forget to add fresh DE after every backwash. The whole point of the powder is to catch the fine stuff, and it gets flushed out when you clean.

Let the gauge be your guide.