Which replacement DE Grids do I need?

Which replacement DE GRid size do I need?

Matthew Simmons

October 23, 2024

2 Minute Read

Picking the right-sized replacement DE grids can be accomplished in one of three ways: using the filter model tag information, measuring your old grids, or using internal parts to backtrace your filter’s model. If you have any questions about your filter or an interesting way you tracked down replacements grids, leave a comment below.

Filter Model and Size

Your filter’s specifications tag should have all the information you need to find the right replacement grids. Your filter’s model tag is stamped with the filter’s make, model, and size. This information should give you enough breadcrumbs to lead you to the correct DE grids.

Take a look at this Pentair FNS Plus filter label. You can see the manufacturer’s name (Pentair), the model name (FNS plus), and can see the range of sizes for this series. In addition, you can see the FNSP60 line is hole-punched which identifies it as your specific filter’s size.

Most DE filter model numbers will list the grid square footage; try these as examples:

The Hayward ProGrid 48 Sq Ft has a model number DE4820
The Pentair FNS Plus, 60 Sq Ft, uses a model number variance of FNSP-60

Measure Your Old DE Grids

Measuring your old DE grids should give you the width and length to identifying the correct grid size.

Currently, most manufactured DE filters use the curved grid style. This standardization provides us a common size that we can use to find the replacement grids. The pool industry’s standard curved style DE grids come in five different sizes: 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 square feet. Their respective lengths are 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 inches.

A standard curved grid pack of eight includes seven full grids (11.5 inches) and a partial (9.5 inches). If you substitute just a few of these DE grids, measure the width to ensure you’re picking the correct size.

Older models, like the Jacuzzi Earthworks and Avalanche, use non-curved replacement DE grids. Be sure to measure all of your grids, as these models can use several grid sizes.

If model info is unreadable, use internal part numbers and grid size to identify.

Your filter’s information tag is exposed to the elements year-round will result in fading, which leads to it being unreadable. In these cases, how do we find the right DE grids? The filter’s internal parts hold the key to finding your filter model size. You should be able to recognize the manufacturer with that part number, and, with that, you can find your model using our Filter Parts Finder Guide. Your top manifold, grid base, tank shell, and air relief assembly are recommended to check for identifying numbers. This information, coupled with the grid size measurements we took above, should ID the grid you need

Troubleshooting Topics

Controls / Automation

Chlorinators

Skimmers / Drains

Need Replacement Parts?

Swimming Pool Products

7 responses to “Which replacement DE Grids do I need?”

dwgerman@verizon.net

September 22, 2021

Some of the plastic cups are broken on my grids is that a problem

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  September 23, 2021
  
  What plastic cups are you referring to? Do you mean the plastic nozzles at the end of the grids that insert into the top manifold? If nozzles are broken, the connection may not seal properly. Also, I’d keep an eye out for DE powder in your pool; If that starts to happen, you would need to replace the offending grids.
  
  Reply
William

September 7, 2022

Are the 7 full grids of a hayward de grid assembly the exact same size, shape, and configuration. I.E. identical. or are they slightly bent, angled etc differently wrt each grid?

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  September 12, 2022
  
  The full-size grids are all the same dimensions and configuration; they are interchangeable with one another.
  
  Reply
Georgia

June 12, 2023

So I have an issue with dirt and sand getting into the pool after I run filter. The sand was changed this year and everything in the sand filter is all set including the laterals. We’ve also changed the multiport valve. What else could it be? The pool is clear and it does not appear if I keep the pool on recirculate.

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  June 14, 2023
  
  What do you mean the laterals are “all set”? Have you checked them since this dirt issue has arisen? Or are you going by the state of them when you put in the new sand? If it is the latter, then you need to recheck them. A lot could have happened since that sand was replaced.
  
  Does the sand you see in the pool collect around the main drain? Or can you see it flow from the return line? If it collects around the main drain after the pump turns off, your pump is losing prime, causing debris to backflush out of your filter and into the pool through the main drain.
  
  Reply
Robert

March 25, 2024

I have an FNS Plus 60 DE filter and after I clean the grids (completely taking them out and spraying all DE and debris off) my pressure goes down to normal (around 13-15psi) and stays there for a few days then goes back into the high 20’s to 30. It will do this even when I do not add DE back into the filter. The grids were last replaced in 2018, does this seem like a symptom of the grids needing to be replaced? I am able to reproduce this problem over and over, also the breather tube is usually covered in debris when I clean open the filter. I do have a decent amount of debris that gets into the pool from the trees this time of year but my skimmers are pulling all of the large stuff out and this problem has been happening for a few months. Thanks for any help!

Reply