How many pumps do I really need?

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Killer95Stang

Killer95Stang

Well-known member
Aug 17, 2012
977
Sunny SoCal
I'm just about to sign a contract on a 19' x 32' freeform gunite pool with spa. I've had five different pool builders come in to give me a quote and only one has added extra pumps to his quote. With pool features below, what do I really need?

- 19 x 32 freeform pool with 3.5 shallow and 8 ft deep end
- 12" raised 7' diameter spa with 6 jets and spillway into pool
- 9' w x 3ft h x 3' d water feature rock waterfall
- suction side dedicated pool cleaner line (pentair sand shark)
- clean clear 420 cartridge or Pentair DE 60 filter
- Pentair 3hp VS+ variable speed pump
- Easytouch automation w/ intellichlor SWG

Four of the quotes only list Pentair variable speed pump. In the fifth quote, the builder added a booster pump for the spa to go along with the Pentair variable speed pump. He also added a third 2hp whisperflo pump for the water feature.

So what do I really need? I really like the thoroughness of the 5th quote, but the added pumps along with other addons is taking his quote out of my limited budget.

Thanks
 
One thing to mention: it is better to have a separate plumbing loop for spa jets that doesn't go through the filter. It makes the jets more powerful and doesn't subject your filter to what is possibly more flow than it is designed for.
 
Okay... so from me a soon to be first time pool owner, I would have the following separate functions using one 3hp Pentair Intelliflo. This would be accomplished by turning a certain sequence of ball valves, or actuators if I do go ahead with the Easytouch automation.

1.) Pool filter by itself, running 8-12 hours while the pool isn't being used.
2.) Spa jets & heater w/ filter off and water feature off.
3.) Water feature with spa and filter off.
4.) Pool cleaner (sand shark) with filter on or off.

Does the single VS pump have enough power to run more than one function at a time, like the water feature and spa? I know it depends on pipe sizes and pressure losses, but can you typically run all the functions you want with the single pump? I being real general here...

Thanks again...
 
That sounds like a good set up to me. The IntelliFlo has plenty of power and you should be able to run 2 of those functions without a problem. You might even be able to do all 3 though the spa jets might not have quite as much oomph if you do that. I would advise getting a leaf canister for your cleaner and having the filter on when you are running that.
 
Killer95Stang said:
Does the single VS pump have enough power to run more than one function at a time, like the water feature and spa?
Click to expand...

I have a system similar to what you describe and the IntelliFlo handles it without any issues.

Does your water feature empty into the spa? Will you keep your pool heated? If not, the down side of running the spa with any other functions is that you are heating water that ends up in the pool.

Mike
 
Given what you are paying for the entire pool, to me it doesn't make sense to skimp on the pumps. There are many reasons to have multiple pumps.

1-Spa jets will perform much better on a dedicated pump without a filter and heater.

2-You can run the pump and filter in pool mode while still using the spa jets. You can't do that with a single pump.

3-You can run the waterfall at the same time as the spa. You can't do that with a single pump.

If you want the most flexibility, go with three pumps. Yes, one pump can do the job but then you will have to make sacrifices.
 
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Mike,

I think you misunderstood. I wasn't suggesting not to have a heater for the spa. Only that the jets should be on a separate loop that does not include the filter or heater. There is still a return loop in the spa for the filter and heater but it is separate from the jets as shown in the picture below:

jandy_plumbing_diagram_pg10.jpg
 

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I know that it is a multispeed pump, but having a 3hp pump running 95% of the time for what you could use a 1hp multispeed pump does not make sense to me. Get a separate pump - You only will need to run it while in the spa, and the other can handle the pool.
 
mas985 said:
Given what you are paying for the entire pool, to me it doesn't make sense to skimp on the pumps. There are many reasons to have multiple pumps.

1-Spa jets will perform much better on a dedicated pump without a filter and heater.

2-You can run the pump and filter in pool mode while still using the spa jets. You can't do that with a single pump.

3-You can run the waterfall at the same time as the spa. You can't do that with a single pump.

If you want the most flexibility, go with three pumps. Yes, one pump can do the job but then you will have to make sacrifices.
Click to expand...


I am in the process of building a pool and have been looking at spas. I think your set up is perfect. One VS pump for the pool, pool features and spa just really doesn't make for a really active, bubbling spa, IMO. Contractor is stating that I can just use one pump for our sheer descents, spa, and pool & just get a blower for the jets for more bubbles. I'm thinking I need to have at least two pumps.

-Shad Dixon
 
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