question for the masses

[yearroundfamilyfun]

I am currently servicing an above ground pool that is 30 x 15 with a pitched liner that goes to 6 feet on one end. The pool is about 17k gallons. The pool is on the down side of the a mountain. There is a retaining wall build below it and it sits obviously on the level part. The thing it it has 2 skimmers, 2 returns and a center drain. The guy is currently using an above ground 3/4 hp pump and no getting much movement of the water. Am I correct in thinking because this is on the side of a mountain he would need a self priming inground pump of at least 1 hp?? He just bought this and put it on before he hired me. He got sick and can't maintain it but I have never seen a set up like this.

Input?

 

[MikeInTN]

It'd really depend on the head loss associated with the plumbing. I would think an AGP pump would be fine, as long as it's physically located above the waterline of the pool.

edit: that should read "below the waterline of the pool"..

 

[Bama Rambler]

What type filter does he have?
What's the max flow it'll accept?

If the pump is on the up side of the pool above the water line then you're right about needing a self priming pump. (I think Mike meant to say below)

My question would be, Does it really need two skimmers and two returns? I'd be tempted to plug one of the skimmers and aim the returns for the best possible circulation. I'd also be tempted to plug one of the returns depending on where they're located in the pool provided that I could aim the remaining one so that the entire pools circulates or at least buy reduced sized eyeballs for both.

If it winds up that it does have to have both skimmers and returns I'd say a 2 speed pump would be in order.

I'm sure the guru's will correct me if any of the above is in contradiction to good practice.

 

[JasonLion]

An above-ground pump is fine if the pump, and the pipes that feed water to the pump, are all located below the water line. If the pump and/or pipes that carry water to the pump inlet are above the water line, then the pool will need an in-ground pump.

A 3/4 HP above ground pump is on the small side for a pool that size, but it should work as long as the pump is below the water line and water flows into the pump by gravity even when the pump is off. Assuming all that is true, I would suspect a problem priming the filter or some kind of blockage in the lines. If, on the other hand, the pump is above the water line, then I wouldn't expect it to work.

 

[matt4x4]

3/4's should be good enough like everyone above stated, could it be that the pump impeller needs to be disassembled and cleaned? I've seen plenty of pumps that looked too weak when looking at the flow coming off the return but just had a bunch of old leaves bunched up right behind the impeller where you can't see unless you take it apart.
Having multiple skimmers on a pool that size is almost pointless, but should not impede pump operation or water flow.