Pool, Spa and sheer decent water feature - 1 or 2 pumps

You will need to be much more precise than "1-3 sheers" as the quantity/length is very important to the calculations. As an example, there is a very big difference between 1 sheer that is 12" long and 3 sheers that are 36" long each (the former needs approximately 12 gallons per minute while the latter needs approximately 108 gallons per minute). I can try to help you out with the thought process if you specify the following:

Number and size of water sheers.
Height of water sheers above water.
Any other water features you will have.
How far from the equipment pad to the pool.
Do you want to run anything besides the sheers at the same time (like pool returns or spa)?

I was told that we wouldn't need a separate pump for water features unless we wanted to be able to use water features at the same time as we were using soa mode. My response to the builder was that I would check with the wife but we likely wouldn't need to be able to run everything all at once. I was wrong, she wants to have the ability to have the sheer descents and bubbler while in the spa. For our setup we are adding a water feature pump that is not VS and isn't as big as the primary pool pump ($785). I told the builder that when he does the plumbing I want the ability to run water features from either pump and will only use the second pump while in spa mode. Not 100% sure if you will gain much with the second VS pump, but I'm interested to hear what everyone has to say.

Like Sparks mentions, really need more information for your setup there, TJK.

I have 2, Pentair 3HP VS pumps. One running my water features and one running the pool/spa(filter). Originally my PB set up one of the water features on the pool pump, and it irritated me because I couldn't use that feature when the spa was on. So I reworked my plumbing to put all three features, bubblers, deck jets, and scuppers, on the one pump. So lesson there is make sure you go over the plumbing with the PB ahead of time so that everything will work the way you want it to.

Regarding the autofill, I have the pool miser. Not sure what that cost because my PB puts them in standard. I suppose you could have a line ran to your pool that your irrigation could tie to, but you would have to manually turn it on/off, and it wouldn't have an overflow line like the pool miser has. I love having the autofill. Wouldn't trade it.

SPD, regarding your comment, I would not try to plumb so that either pump can run the features. I think that would add unnecessary complication to the plumbing, as well I think it will take up a ton more real estate around the equipment pad. Plus, I'm not sure the automation can handle that configuration. Without seeing a plumbing one line diagram, it is hard to determine how it might be automated. I prefer the VS pump on the features. I run my features pump @ 1500rpm max. That is if the deck jets are on. Otherwise it is usually @ 1200rpm. For me the VS is perfect because my equipment pad is within earshot and running that low, I have no noise from the pump.

--Jeff

Turbo1Ton said:

SPD, regarding your comment, I would not try to plumb so that either pump can run the features. I think that would add unnecessary complication to the plumbing, as well I think it will take up a ton more real estate around the equipment pad. Plus, I'm not sure the automation can handle that configuration. Without seeing a plumbing one line diagram, it is hard to determine how it might be automated. I prefer the VS pump on the features. I run my features pump @ 1500rpm max. That is if the deck jets are on. Otherwise it is usually @ 1200rpm. For me the VS is perfect because my equipment pad is within earshot and running that low, I have no noise from the pump.

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You have a good point, I will review the plans with the builder to make sure we are doing what will be the best configuration. Thank you for your input