filter backwash interval (should anyone filter w/o backwash head?)
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'm using about 100gpd with city water in Bear, DE, with my family of four.
I have a 10" by 44" filter with about 1cf of media.
How often should I set my new control head to backwash? (see other thread if you want to help me decide on a control head)
Backstory:
My supplier in their wisdom did not provide a backwash head for my carbon filter, they said their company's MO (modus operandi) is to let customers run their carbon filter for a couple of years and then replace the carbon. Seems like a bad idea to me due to bacteria and such. Should rains**t (or anyone) be doing this?
I've been running a year so far, and I think quality has degraded, but it's hard for me to say definitively.
Thanks!
I have a 10" by 44" filter with about 1cf of media.
How often should I set my new control head to backwash? (see other thread if you want to help me decide on a control head)
Backstory:
My supplier in their wisdom did not provide a backwash head for my carbon filter, they said their company's MO (modus operandi) is to let customers run their carbon filter for a couple of years and then replace the carbon. Seems like a bad idea to me due to bacteria and such. Should rains**t (or anyone) be doing this?
I've been running a year so far, and I think quality has degraded, but it's hard for me to say definitively.

Thanks!
Last edited by harr2969; 06-30-08 at 10:54 AM. Reason: updates to 1st para
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Backwashing
As long as your carbon bed is running "upflow" and has appropriate underbedding (gravel or vortech), you'll usually get about a year or so of good operation.
If you're on a tight budget & understand all the implications, the non-backwashing system can often suffice.
I personally prefer backwashing the bed every day or two to protect from bacterial growth while eliminating fines & sediment.
Greg Reyneke, CWS-VI
If you're on a tight budget & understand all the implications, the non-backwashing system can often suffice.
I personally prefer backwashing the bed every day or two to protect from bacterial growth while eliminating fines & sediment.
Greg Reyneke, CWS-VI