2 pumps (solar and filter) using one skimmer and one return - how do I build this?

[Slippery]

I'm about to pull the trigger on an 18' AGP. It comes with one skimmer and one return.

I want to have a separate pump for the solar panels and another for the filter.

My reasoning:

I am not cooling the pool when it's shady but it still need filtering or the sun has gone down.

My solar lines are really long so if I use the filter pump it reduces the flow quite a bit.

I tried this with my old intex and I found that when only one was on it would move water the wrong directions.

Does any one have a diagram on how to pipe this up with 1.5" PVC?

I don't want to cut extra holes in the pool for separate sends and returns.

 

[Newdude]

Each pump needs its own feed or one of them will starve the other when nobody is looking.

Your choices are 2 circulatory systems or a pump that can handle what you're asking of it.

 

[Slippery]

Each pump needs its own feed or one of them will starve the other when nobody is looking.

Your choices are 2 circulatory systems or a pump that can handle what you're asking of it.

Thanks for the reply. I decided to see if I can figure out if my 1.5" PVC won't provide enough flow.

My filter pump is .75hp= 3000 gal/hr = 40gpm

this website says 1.5" PVC is can do 35gpm at low pressure
81gpm at 20-100psi

I'm not sure how to figure out what the PSI is of my filter. I know it has a PSI reading for the tank but I assume that would be different for the flow going in (is it)? IIRC it's usually under 10 psi so that would assume I am somewhere between 35gpm and 80gpm.

My solar pump will likely be the same size or smaller (haven't bought one yet). I wouldn't mind if it was smaller because the .75hp would cause leaks on the panels after the filter dropped the flow. It also has about 75-100 feet of pipe to get to the panels plus the panels are 12x4' and there is 8 of them so the flow will be much less than 35gpm.

Based on this it seems like I might be good feeding both unless there is something I don't know that I don't know. If so what is it?

 

[Newdude]

Based on this it seems like I might be good feeding both unless there is something I don't know that I don't know. If so what is it?

That your equipment is designed to maybe outlive the temporary pool. I would not ask it to go above and beyond its already limited expectations.

What about using 3 way valves to bypass the filter ? Per the link above it kills 550 GPH right off the bat with the system flow @ 2450 gph. As the filter does its thing flow only drops from there.

 

[Slippery]

That your equipment is designed to maybe outlive the temporary pool. I would not ask it to go above and beyond its already limited expectations.

What about using 3 way valves to bypass the filter ? Per the link above it kills 550 GPH right off the bat with the system flow @ 2450 gph. As the filter does its thing flow only drops from there.

I'm not sure how I am asking my equipment to past its expectations. Can you elaborate?

3 way valve is an interesting idea but I often need to turn on/off my panels remotely based on what the sun is doing while I am at work. Which is why I'd love it to just be it's own thing. And I am quite forgetful. I know I won't remember what it's set to it while at work. I often have to run the filter after the sun has stopped heating because that's when the dirtiest kid butts are in the pool.

 

[1poolman1]

Thanks for the reply. I decided to see if I can figure out if my 1.5" PVC won't provide enough flow.

My filter pump is .75hp= 3000 gal/hr = 40gpm

this website says 1.5" PVC is can do 35gpm at low pressure
81gpm at 20-100psi

I'm not sure how to figure out what the PSI is of my filter. I know it has a PSI reading for the tank but I assume that would be different for the flow going in (is it)? IIRC it's usually under 10 psi so that would assume I am somewhere between 35gpm and 80gpm.

My solar pump will likely be the same size or smaller (haven't bought one yet). I wouldn't mind if it was smaller because the .75hp would cause leaks on the panels after the filter dropped the flow. It also has about 75-100 feet of pipe to get to the panels plus the panels are 12x4' and there is 8 of them so the flow will be much less than 35gpm.

Based on this it seems like I might be good feeding both unless there is something I don't know that I don't know. If so what is it?

1.5" plumbing can more than handle what you are asking it to do.
What won't work is that Intex pump. They may have, in some universe, on a completely open line with no restriction, seen a 50GPM flow. But, have it pull through a skimmer, especially one plumbed with hose (which can't handle 50GPM), shove water through a tiny, less-than 2 sq. ft. sand filter, back to the pool and you will not see 50GPM. A filter the size of yours is actually rated at about 38GPM max flow rate.
You would do yourself a disservice if you go ahead and try to also have that pump push through solar panels and then back to the pool.
At the very least, get a better pump. Adding 75 - 100 feet of pipe twice (to and from the array) and then 8 large panels would be difficult for any inground pool pump to handle, especially if the water has to first go through a tiny filter. Just adding a larger pump and not filter would result in the water bypassing the filter bed (channeling) and you get no real filtration.

 

[Slippery]

1.5" plumbing can more than handle what you are asking it to do.
What won't work is that Intex pump. They may have, in some universe, on a completely open line with no restriction, seen a 50GPM flow. But, have it pull through a skimmer, especially one plumbed with hose (which can't handle 50GPM), shove water through a tiny, less-than 2 sq. ft. sand filter, back to the pool and you will not see 50GPM. A filter the size of yours is actually rated at about 38GPM max flow rate.
You would do yourself a disservice if you go ahead and try to also have that pump push through solar panels and then back to the pool.
At the very least, get a better pump. Adding 75 - 100 feet of pipe twice (to and from the array) and then 8 large panels would be difficult for any inground pool pump to handle, especially if the water has to first go through a tiny filter. Just adding a larger pump and not filter would result in the water bypassing the filter bed (channeling) and you get no real filtration.

last year I had a smaller intex on the return of the intex .75hp after going through the filter then panels and it worked fine. flow was good enough.

my idea was to use the .75hp intext not going through the filter on the panels and a similar one just for filtering.

so would y adapters with backflow preventers work?

 

[1poolman1]

last year I had a smaller intex on the return of the intex .75hp after going through the filter then panels and it worked fine. flow was good enough.

my idea was to use the .75hp intext not going through the filter on the panels and a similar one just for filtering.

so would y adapters with backflow preventers work?

If you like to tinker, give it a shot. I've tried many things with my pool. Some worked, some didn't.
Your pool, your money, your choice is what I've always told my customers. Didn't mean that I would do that way for them. Had to say "No" a few times.