Can I mix Fiber Clear with D.E.?
No, Fiber Clear is not compatible with other filtration media. You should clean your filter thoroughly, as instructed by the manufacturer of your particular filter, before adding Fiber Clear. Mixing with other filtration media can cause damage to your filter.

Do I need to clean my filter before switching to Fiber Clear?
You will need to open the filter and thoroughly clean it of all the dirty media before adding Fiber Clear. This could mean pressure washing the filter and grids to ensure that all media is removed from the filter can and from the grid surface. In rare cases it may be necessary to wash the grids with a 10% muriatic acid solution Refer to your filter manufacturer's instruction for cleaning your filter.

I mixed Fiber Clear with my old media. Now what?
Since you have mixed Fiber Clear with another media, you will need to open the filter and clean all of the material off of the grids and out of the filter tank. You can then re-charge the filter with Fiber Clear.

When do I backwash?
Backwash the filter after the pressure gauge reaches the pressure differential recommended by the filter manufacturer.

Why does my pressure rise so fast?
When you first switch to Fiber Clear, you will probably experience shorter filter cycles than with DE. This is due to the fact that Fiber Clear filters down to 2 microns and DE filters only to 4-5 microns. This means that debris and particulate matter that has been passing through the DE, is now being filtered out of your pool. When your pressure reaches backwash level, backwash promptly and add the same amount of Fiber Clear that you added initially.

Why do I have to add the same amount of Fiber Clear each time I backwash?
When you backwash Fiber Clear, 100% of the material is evacuated from the filter. This means that you will not be mixing new (clean) media with the old (dirty) media. Most other media will not backwash completely and a portion of the old (dirty) media is left in the filter. That is why they recommend that you only add a portion of media after backwash.

Why is the pressure in my filter rising so fast?
Fiber Clear filters finer than D.E. Fiber Clear filters down to 2 microns. D.E. filters to 4 to 5 microns. This does not sound like a very big difference, however, Fiber Clear is filtering approximately 100% finer than D.E. Therefore, when you first switch to Fiber Clear, you may notice that the pressure in your filter rises to the backwash level faster than it did before. The Fiber Clear is doing its job, as it is trapping particulate matter that was passing through the other media. Your filter cycles will lengthen, usually after two or three backwashes, as the Fiber Clear removes the residual material from your pool water. You should then experience normal cycle lengths. Many users tell us that they experience longer filter cycles with Fiber Clear once the water becomes accustomed to moving through the finer material.

My filter is "clogged"
If the Fiber Clear is "clogged" resulting in higher pressure readings, it is because the media has become infiltrated with something. The media is only doing its job. It is important that you do not add any clarifying agents or phosphate removers to your pool water when using Fiber Clear. This will cause the pressure in the filter to rise dramatically. These chemicals sequester small particulate that has normally been passing through other media, into larger 'clumps' of matter, so that the filter can trap them, thereby 'clarifying' the water or reducing phosphates to manageable levels. Because Fiber Clear filters as fine as it does (to 2 microns), it naturally filters out the finer particles creating "crystal clear", sparkling swimming pool water. The 2 micron filtration also filters out phosphates and algae spores, thereby naturally controlling them to more manageable levels.

When I backwash, do I still need to add the same amount of your product as I did initially?
Yes. Fiber Clear backwashes 100%, which means little or no mess when you disassemble the filter. It backwashes very rapidly as the fibers do not cling to the filter grids. This means less water waste at backwash time and less loss of expensive chemicals (chlorine or sanitizers).

I find I must backwash everyday.
When you first switch to Fiber Clear, you may have this experience. The reason is the Fiber Clear filters finer than DE. DE. filters between 4 to 5 microns. Fiber Clear filters down to 2 microns. Therefore, you are taking out all the debris and particulate matter that before was passing through the filter. You are really clearing and cleaning the water. Once your water is accustomed to the finer filtration, you will experience the same length of time between backwashes as you experienced with DE.

Fiber Clear is expensive.
Fiber Clear in use cost is a little less than DE. You should be using much less product to charge your filter than when using DE. Volume and product cost measured against each other results in Fiber Clear actually costing less than DE. In addition, you will have cleaner, clearer, healthier water and less water and chemical waste..

Can I use Fiber Clear in my cartridge filter?
Yes, Fiber Clear may be used with cartridge filters. Add one Fiber Clear scoop at a time to the skimmer until the filter pressure gauge has raised one pound. A cartridge filters your water at approximately the 10 - 20 micron level. Fiber Clear will filter your pool water to the 2 micron level. This finer filtration is removing debris and particulate matter that before has been passing through the filter. Because of this, you may experience an increase in pressure sooner than usual. Be sure to clean your cartridge according to the manufacturer's directions. You may add more Fiber Clear as needed per the above directions.

Can I use Fiber Clear in my sand filter?
Fiber Clear is not a replacement for sand in a sand filter. However, it can be used in a sand filter as a filter aid. Add one Fiber Clear scoop at a time to the sand bed, until the pressure has raised one pound. What you are trying to do is coat the top of the sand bed with approximately a 1/8 ".layer of Fiber Clear.. Make sure to watch the pressure gauge as Fiber Clear filters to 2 microns and sand normally filters at the 30 to 40 micron level. Therefore, the pressures will increase rapidly. The Fiber Clear will "load-up" quickly and will need to be backwashed within 24 hours. Do not leave the Fiber Clear in the sand filter for more than 24 hours. When used in this manner, Fiber Clear will produce crystal clear pool water. When the water begins to get cloudy again, repeat the above procedure.

Why is there an "8 oz" line on my Fiber Clear Scoop?
The "8oz" line on the scoop indicates a half measure of the scoop. The 8oz reference does not mean anything as we are measuring by volume, not by weight. Some filters call for a half of a scoop and that line indicates that half.

I use a DE scoop, how much Fiber Clear do I use?
A traditional DE scoop (the old orange or blue handle) equals ½ pound of DE. We measure Fiber Clear not by weight, but by volume. Use of Fiber Clear is approximately 1:8 of DE. That is, if you were using 8 DE scoops, you would use only one (1) of that same type of scoop for Fiber Clear. However, your product should have a Fiber Clear scoop enclosed. Follow the package instructions for your size filter.

When I disassemble my filter to clean it, there is a gray gelatinous material that is difficult to remove. Why does this happen and how do I remove it from the filter?
This is usually the result of a non-compatible chemicals (clarifiers, phosphate removers, etc.) being added to the water. Fiber Clear is merely filtering those chemicals out of the water. Clarifiers, phosphate removers some types of algaecides or other types of sequestering agents should not be added to a Fiber Clear filter. If you inadvertently add them, you will need to disassemble the filter and clean it thoroughly according to the manufacturer's instructions. You can then add a fresh amount of Fiber Clear.

Are there any chemicals that I can add to make Fiber Clear better?
Additional chemicals, besides the sanitizers (chlorine, etc.), are generally not needed in a Fiber Clear filter. However, you can put your pool or spa on a regular program using a broad-spectrum natural enzyme designed to eliminate body oils, suntan lotions, etc. from the water. This will make Fiber Clear even more efficient and will extend your filter cycles by removing the oils before they reach the filter. Ask your pool professional about natural enzyme programs for your swimming pool or spa.

If you have further questions, e-mail us at swimstuff@msn.com