4003DC Cellulose Filter Media D.E. Alternative for Swimming Pools, 3-Pounds

Good product. It does a great job. Like any other product, use less if back-flushing, if not removing the filters for thorough cleaning.

I've been using this for several years now, first as an additive for a cartridge filter, and for the last three years as a full replacement for DE in a DE filter. A cup in the cartridge filter improved the effectiveness of the filter. I no longer needed to use clarifier or metal remover to get the water really clear, and needed to run the filter much less. In the DE filter, it leaves the water crystal clear, and I can run the filter only a few hours a day. The only downsides are that in a cartridge filter, you need to clean the cartridge more often, and in the DE filter, some of the media will blow through the filter and back into the pool in the first few hours after backwashing/recharging. If you have a really powerful filter pump, this could be a problem. But it's worth the extra vacuuming the day after recharging, as the pool is much cleaner. I've also found that I use a whole lot less chemicals since switching to Fiber Clear. I no longer need clarifier, metal remover, or algaecide, and the pool requires about half the chlorine in a season. Do not mix DE and Fiber Clear, and clean the filter thoroughly before switching to it, as the mixture will clog the filter almost immediately. UPDATE: My original review is now 6 years old and I still use this stuff exclusively. I found that by using an extra cup or 2 with each charge, it’s less likely to blow through. I also tried another similar brand once when this was unavailable, and had a big problem with it blowing through. I won’t do that again. Still a big fan. ANOTHER UPDATE: My daughter is now using this with her sand filter with similarly excellent results. She adds one measuring cup after each backwash. When she first started using it the filter seemed to plug up almost hourly and it would start blowing back into the pool... but that was just because the water was that dirty. Sand filters don't remove microscopic dirt as well as cartridge or DE filters without help. After several backwashes, her water was sparkling clean and the filter isn't plugging up like it was. And she only needs to run it a few hours a day instead of the 8 hours+ it took before. This stuff makes a sand filter clean more like a DE filter. (I would never recommend a sand filter, but that's what was provided with her pool.)

If you struggle with filter cartridge blow-by, this is your ticket to happiness. My filters would allow too much fine sediment to pass through and I'd find a thin film of it on the pool floor within hours of vacuuming. This helps fill in those minute pores and helps keep the water clearer and with much less sediment. You may experience higher filter pressure. If you do, try using less than suggested amounts. My 48gal filter is happy with 7 cups. And since I use a suction driven vacuum, it's critical to keep the pressure down for the maximum suction power. Will not matter if you have an independent vaccum system.

Recommended by pool group for sand filter. Will update if we have any issues. Other than that, directions are clearly written and easy to understand. Let’s hope this adds additional oomph for the sand filter.

I made the switch from DE to Cellulose Fiber last year. It really makes a difference and the prices have come down enough so that there's not much difference using one or the other. The only issue is that after backwashing, I have no way of knowing how much to add unless I'm taking the filter apart completely. This year, after opening, I did about 3 backwashes and there was a significant amount of material remaining on the grids. So, I usually try to just judge by the pressure. Instead of 15 cups, I'll try 11 or 12, then check the pressure and add more until it gets to the starting pressure of freshly cleaned grids. So far, the claim that it requires fewer backwashes has been true in my experience. And the water seems to clear more quickly than with DE.

Cost good.

A great alternative to DE! Much lighter, easy to use, and less of a waste problem. And filters just as well.

Works wonderfully with our pool filter.