Approx 33,000 gallon pool with integrated infinity edge spa. Looking to see if the pump/plumbing will be enough for the spa and pool. I know it is all 2” piping and intelliflo VSF pump. From what I’ve read, each jet has a flow rate 10-15 gpm, but the 2” pipe doesn’t seem to support that, especially considering there are 8 jets to the spa. Looking for insight?
Question on plumbing for pool spa
- Thread starter Worm7011
- Start date
If using pentair you would be better off with the newer XF intelliflo amd bump the mains amd drains on spa to 2.5 or 3"
The new XF can take 2.5 inside the pump union or 3" with a coupling to the outside so it works easily for large piping
The new XF can take 2.5 inside the pump union or 3" with a coupling to the outside so it works easily for large piping
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,508
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
You want to keep the water velocity below 6 ft/sec on the suction and below 8 ft/sec on the pressure side of the pump. At 80 GPM from the 2” pipe that you have you may get the low end of the spec for 10 gpm for the 8 jets.
| Pipe Size | 6 ft/sec | 8 ft/sec |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5" | 38 GPM | 51 GPM |
| 2" | 63 GPM | 84 GPM |
| 2.5 | 90 GPM | 119 GPM |
| 3.0" | 138 GPM | 184 GPM |
Reached out to the PB and mentioned the jets would produce 15-17 when the pump is at full speed(max pump speed /8 jets). If full speed exceeds the ft per sec numbers above. What am I or he missing? I would assume max velocity is max velocity... ie do not exceed it as the suction would have to be high as well.
Ie. 2” spa return and drain.
PB is telling me to run pentair VSF at full speed to power 8 jets.
160gpm max/ 8 jets=20gpm thru 2” pipe to a 1.5” outlet in the spa.
My understanding was max velocity for 2” is 8gpm flow, 6gpm return.
What am I missing
PB is telling me to run pentair VSF at full speed to power 8 jets.
160gpm max/ 8 jets=20gpm thru 2” pipe to a 1.5” outlet in the spa.
My understanding was max velocity for 2” is 8gpm flow, 6gpm return.
What am I missing
- Jul 3, 2013
- 9,028
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-40
Don't worry about it, those are all max rates, you will not be anywhere near that... 
- Jul 3, 2013
- 9,028
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-40
Here is a thread with almost your exact question
www.troublefreepool.com
single 2"suction line presure limits
so i have a 10k gallon pool that has an attached elevated spa. It has 3 main drains (2" individual pipes) and one skimmer line (2") for suction and three 2" pipes that feed 5 returns and 6 spa jets... Since i have the intelliflo vsf, i am not sure how much gpm can the system take when i am in...
www.troublefreepool.com
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,508
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
They are guidelines for best efficiency, not limits on “max velocity“.
You can try and run your pump at max and see what you get. It is like running your car motor at 8,000 rpms. I doubt you will get 160 GPM or 20 GPM/jet. And your car will not go 200 mph no matter how much you push the engine.
Here is a past discussion on the implications of exceeding the recommendations...
Maximum Flow Rates for PVC Pipes
I have long been skeptical of the flow limits placed upon PVC pipes. Many web sites would post arbitrary limits ranging from 5 ft/sec up to 10 ft/sec indicating that it is not a good idea to exceed these limits but none would explain why or what would happen if you did exceed these limits. I am...
www.troublefreepool.com
Hydraulics 101 - Have you lost your head?
Edit - Before reading this article, you may want to first familiarize yourself with this Pool School article on Pump Basics Hydraulics 101 - Hydraulics, Pipes and Filters When building my pool, I did a significant amount of research on swimming pool plumbing and water hydraulics. I also found...
www.troublefreepool.com
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