Split from Mismatched Pump/Filter/Pool combo? Zea3
First post. New pool owner. Thank you all for a great resource!
I glean from these interactions it is important for the filter and pump to have comparable flow rates.
I have a second-hand Aqua Leader 18' AGP ($30) with spherical (100#) sand filter with a 25 gpm flow rate on the label. My pump is a 1hp Hayward at 60gpm. I have the adjustable return angled as far away from the skimmer as it permits and slightly down. This creates about a 3rpm whirlpool that is actually pleasant to float upon. My wife refers to it as "the lazy river ride".
I know the right answer is, "replace the pump with one better matched to the filter." I'm not going to do that. I'm looking to work with what I have. We have already spent a lot opening the pool, and we did it late in the season... it took me a while to design and 3D Print replacements for the irreparably broken resin pieces. I want the "make the best of what you have answer."
While I haven't measured it, I believe I am flowing MUCH closer to the 60gpm rate than the 25gpm rate, which I presume means that since more water is being forced through the filter, it is less effective. While I would like to calculate based on the pump flow as that would turn over my water in 7651gal/60gpm = 2 hrs, 7 minutes to minimize the run time, I should probably use the 25gpm value and run the pump for a little over 5 hours. Is this correct?
Again, I know the BEST answer. I need the, "for what you have, this is the best answer" answer.
Thanks,
Steve
First post. New pool owner. Thank you all for a great resource!
I glean from these interactions it is important for the filter and pump to have comparable flow rates.
I have a second-hand Aqua Leader 18' AGP ($30) with spherical (100#) sand filter with a 25 gpm flow rate on the label. My pump is a 1hp Hayward at 60gpm. I have the adjustable return angled as far away from the skimmer as it permits and slightly down. This creates about a 3rpm whirlpool that is actually pleasant to float upon. My wife refers to it as "the lazy river ride".
I know the right answer is, "replace the pump with one better matched to the filter." I'm not going to do that. I'm looking to work with what I have. We have already spent a lot opening the pool, and we did it late in the season... it took me a while to design and 3D Print replacements for the irreparably broken resin pieces. I want the "make the best of what you have answer."
While I haven't measured it, I believe I am flowing MUCH closer to the 60gpm rate than the 25gpm rate, which I presume means that since more water is being forced through the filter, it is less effective. While I would like to calculate based on the pump flow as that would turn over my water in 7651gal/60gpm = 2 hrs, 7 minutes to minimize the run time, I should probably use the 25gpm value and run the pump for a little over 5 hours. Is this correct?
Again, I know the BEST answer. I need the, "for what you have, this is the best answer" answer.
Thanks,
Steve