Filter runtime?

paulmaz · May 3, 2016

Hi all,

So thanks to you guys, over the last month since I have purchased my new home with the pool, I have fired the pool guy, got my pool crystal clear, and keeping it that way, and have a good handle on how to keep it that way. But one last item. Since I have bought the house, I have been running the filter 24/7. It does not have a variable speed motor. the previous owner always ran it 24/7.

So how long do I run it? Pool temp is about 74 degrees now, and temps are not too hot yet. I imagine in the height of the summer I may need more runtime, but what about now? is 12 hours enough? too much? I assume run by day, off at night?

Any guidance on filter runtime would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

Pool Tool · May 3, 2016

All you need is well documented here and you can search to find more testimonials. Pool School - Determine Pump Run Time

JVTrain · May 3, 2016

This is a good article to review. Pool School - Determine Pump Run Time

For basic distribution of chlorine, 4 hours a day is plenty for a pool. SWG, VS pump, skimming and filtration desires can have an effect on that number but there are VERY few situations that necessitate 24/7 pump run time under normal maintenance conditions.

paulmaz · May 3, 2016

OK, thanks guys. Should have known to look there before posting. My Polaris runs for around 3-4 hours a day (I think, need to double check) I have quite a few trees, so pool can get dirty quick. I may start with 6 hours, with an hour in front of and back of the Polaris run. See what happens.

thanks

JoyfulNoise · May 3, 2016

I think our climates are fairly similar enough that I can make this comparison. I currently run my variable speed pump 3 hours per day at ~2500 RPM (this runs the spillway and suction cleaner) with the SWG on at 50% output and that is actually more chlorine than I want right now. I've also added a very low RPM skimming feature at the end of the day for 2 additional hours (no SWG output when in skimmer mode). So, in total I run my pump for ~ 5hrs per day (3.5 kW-hrs total energy usage, ~$1 day) and my pool water and surfaces are crystal clear and clean.

As the others have said, there is almost never a reason to run a pump 24/7.

nlindelldc · May 3, 2016

I live 2 hours South of you and I only run my pump for 3 hours a day. 2 hours mid-day and one hour in the evening. For me, that is enough skimming action and that is really all that it needs. Of course I am manually dosing with liquid chlorine and I have a robot that I throw in as needed every 3-5 days but it is independent of my pump.

And since I run my 2 speed pump on low, I barely use any electricity at all

paulmaz · May 5, 2016

So I have switched my filter to run 8 hours a day, from 10am - 6pm, and the Polaris runs between that from 12-4. I still think this is too much based on what I am reading around here. My questions is, how long does it take for the Polaris to cover the pool bottom? Is there any math on that?

borjis · May 5, 2016

If it's all in good working order without random hang ups in corners or steps, you'll probably need to run yours til it's clean
about 3-4 times and time how long it takes to clean the floor for your particular run time.

every pool is different.