I'm really liking the BBB method. It's low cost and it works! Now I'm looking at reducing energy costs by not filtering 24/7. Any suggestions on filter frequency and duration would be appreciated. Or maybe there's a good post on this subject someone could point me to.
How long to run filter daily
- Thread starter dwdickson
- Start date
Have at it: http://www.google.com/search?q=%22filte ... eepool.com
Also pool-school/pump_run_time
Since I have an overflow spa, it was easy for me. I measured the spa and then set the valves to pump out for about a foot and timed it. Then refilled it and timed it that way. Some number crunching gave me average GPM. Knowing that, it was a simple matter to figure out how long it took to get one full turn over a day: just under 4 hours. So I run it about 4 hours a day. Sometimes more, since I may be adding chemicals or vacuuming outside the program run time.
Also pool-school/pump_run_time
Since I have an overflow spa, it was easy for me. I measured the spa and then set the valves to pump out for about a foot and timed it. Then refilled it and timed it that way. Some number crunching gave me average GPM. Knowing that, it was a simple matter to figure out how long it took to get one full turn over a day: just under 4 hours. So I run it about 4 hours a day. Sometimes more, since I may be adding chemicals or vacuuming outside the program run time.
This is something I wondered about as well. Having had a pool for 2 summers now I have learned a few things. This summer I have been able to run my pump 4-5 hours during the hottest days (110-115 deg) of the year and water temps in low to mid 90s.
Last summer I ran the pump 8-9 hours because I didn't know any better. With the excellent help of mas985 I realized I was getting a full turnover in about 2 hours and really was running up my electricity bill for no reason.
However, to my mind that is a long time to leave hot stagnant water. So currently I run 1 hour at 9 AM, from 1-3 PM, and 6-8 PM. This gives me peace of mind. I don't run at night as it is my understanding algae requires some sunlight to grow quickly, with a cell doubling time of 3-8 hours. Thus with about 4 hours between stirs I feel comfortable I am keeping growth in check.
When the heat dies down next month I will likely go back to 4 hrs per day, dropping one hour at the end of the day. Last winter I ran it 2 hours per day and it was perfectly clear. I could probably get away with one hour with water temps around 50 deg.
Save some major $$ - cut way down on the run hours.
Eventually when my pump dies I will be switching to an Intelliflo VS. However it's tough to justify outly with my electric rates around 13 cents kw/h.
Last summer I ran the pump 8-9 hours because I didn't know any better. With the excellent help of mas985 I realized I was getting a full turnover in about 2 hours and really was running up my electricity bill for no reason.
However, to my mind that is a long time to leave hot stagnant water. So currently I run 1 hour at 9 AM, from 1-3 PM, and 6-8 PM. This gives me peace of mind. I don't run at night as it is my understanding algae requires some sunlight to grow quickly, with a cell doubling time of 3-8 hours. Thus with about 4 hours between stirs I feel comfortable I am keeping growth in check.
When the heat dies down next month I will likely go back to 4 hrs per day, dropping one hour at the end of the day. Last winter I ran it 2 hours per day and it was perfectly clear. I could probably get away with one hour with water temps around 50 deg.
Save some major $$ - cut way down on the run hours.
Eventually when my pump dies I will be switching to an Intelliflo VS. However it's tough to justify outly with my electric rates around 13 cents kw/h.