[dennis in se pa]

My Apollo DE filter is 40 years old. It is in a pool equipment shed so it has lasted this long. I replaced all of the panels this year because of a few holes. Had DE all over the pool floor. Put new panels in the filter and swept up the DE from the pool floor. The panels cost $150. And DE is incredibly cheap. Buy new panels and you will be fine. $250 is nothing if you have a pool. I spend that on Bromine in a season.