Hayward W3EC65A Perflex Diatomaceous Earth DE Pool Filter

Needed this to replace a broken one, same brand. Everything matched up well.

It was just as it should be.

Works just like the original i had. No issues. Easy to put together

The filter works very well, but the ring to connect top thru fingers to bottom tank split! I am using on hot tub in basement . I changed the de and i noticed some drops of water on hi speed so I just used low speed, well the clamp split around both halves on horizon plane I was sure that I didnt over torque fasteners but it is split and leaking in my basement. It took a some time to locate leak found it tonight . I put some c-clamps on the split , it stopped the leak now I need a new clamp. Mike M.

Good unit !!

When I purchased my home, it came with a pool. The previous owners were too lazy to buy a winter cover for it, so it had filled up with leaves and pine needles and baked in the sun. It was full of mosquitoes, frogs, and other wildlife. The bottom 6 inches were a combination of rotting leaves and a thick green soupy material. I added more and more chlorine and just keep scooping large chunks of horrible smelling gunk with a leaf rake day after day. Eventually I got the majority of solids out and got the other chemicals in balance, and added even more chlorine. 15 gallons of 12.5% to be exact. Eventually the pool turned greenish blue but was totally cloudy; I couldn't see more than a couple inches in depth.So I ran the 150lb sand filter that was attached to the pool. It didn't seem to be doing much after a couple days so I had the pool store come out. They charged me $215 to change the sand and replace the gaskets/seals. I ran the pump 24/7 for 2 weeks, and saw no noticeable difference in the clarity of the water or any pressure increase on the filter. I finally got fed up and ordered this DE filter.I got lucky and was able to use the screw in parts from the old filter. My old filter had the output and input on the top; this DE filter has the input on the bottom and the output on the top, so you may have to adjust your plumbing accordingly. My pump's output was on the top, so I put a 90 degree elbow coming off the pump and used some flexible piping to go into the filter. You'll need male screw-in adapters to fit into the filter, 1.5" in diameter. Also, this thing gets very messy when backwashing, all the DE gets everywhere. You'll want to install some sort of drain extension. The filter includes a valve to use on the drain. My solution was to go to Lowes and get a PVC threaded male adapter, a 90 degree elbow, and a 2.5 foot piece of pipe (all 1.5"). This discharges the old DE into the bushes near the pool and out of the way.Back to the pool: I hooked everything up and checked for leaks. I then turned on the pump and added 4 pounds of DE. A 25 pound package was $13 at the local pool store. You'll want to get some form of measuring scoop for DE. A coffee can can be used, but a 1 pound can is only about 1/2 pound of DE. Added the DE through the skimmer and noted the pressure. At this point I noticed the pressure gauge wasn't working. I swapped in the old one from the sand filter and it worked fine. Not sure why a brand new pressure gauge from the factory didn't work but oh well. I contacted Hayward about it and they never responded back. Anyways, after about 30 minutes the pressure jumped right up. I shut off the pump and bumped the filter according to directions. Repeat this again and again for days. About every 4th bump the pressure would climb too quickly and I would have to backwash and add new DE. A week later, my pool is almost totally clear. There's pockets of settled algae but it's almost all gone. I've gone through about 20 something pounds of DE.Overall I'm very happy with the exception of the pressure gauge. I'll contact Hayward again, maybe by phone. But it's definitely working great and I wish I had bought it outright instead of dealing with the sand filter. Unfortunately it's basically the end of the summer and swimming season, but this filter salvaged what would otherwise have been a total loss.

Within a week of installation, the threaded outlet on the lid cracked and started leaking. Rather than deal with Amazon, I contacted Hayward. They kindly sent me a replacement lid. The gentleman I spoke to also recommended that I use "Joint Stik" rather than teflon tape on the threads. I asked him how tight the bolts on the lid should be, but I never got a response. After installing the new lid, it leaks. I tightened the bolts a few times, but am afraid to over-tighten them and cause it to crack. It's also leaking from the threaded outlet, even though I used the recommended "Joint Stik". To make matters worse, the plastic surrounding the threaded inlet at the bottom of the filter is now also cracked and leaking. Now that it's too late for a complete replacement from Amazon, I have emailed Hayward to see what can be done. Honestly, I'm very frustrated with my experience with this filter. My 20+ year old Pentair D.E. filter worked better. Since I have yet to read anyone having these same problem, it seems like I have a manufacturing defect with mine. Note: I followed the manual. I did not over-tighten the connections.Update: I called Hayward to see about a replacement. Hayward told me I have to deal with Amazon. The problem is, it's passed the return period, so I will only get a partial refund and I have to pay for the shipping! So I am to ship this big box to Kentucky and hope for the best? Really??? I may have to call the credit card company and see about a refund, because quite frankly, I feel like I was taken. After reading the reviews here, I think I got a used unit. Apparently, the inlet and outlet come from the factory pointing the same direction. The outlet on mine was on one side. In the meantime, I have since bought a new filter from Pentair and it works flawlessly. Hayward lost me as a customer.Update 2: I contacted Amazon about this. After explaining all the issues I had and how poorly I was treated by the manufacturer, Amazon agreed to let me return the filter for a full refund. Even though the return/refund period had expired. Amazon is awesome! I dropped off this piece of junk at UPS today. Now I can put this fiasco behind me! Amazon made my day!