How long to run the pump?

[FastCougar]

I have been a pool owner for all of 10 days now and I tend to run the pump 4-8 hrs. a day. My water is testing excellently and it's pristine sparkly, but I think I'm running the pump WAY too long. I want to cut down, but don't know what is optimal. A little info on the pool & filter combo is in my signature. I'm running the pool around 16K gallons and the pump is rated for a 38K gallon turnover in 4 hours, so my pool is being turned over in just under 2 hours. If the rule of thumb 1 turn-over or is there such a rule? Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[FastCougar]

I'm sorry, I made a mistake ... 38K gallons is turned over in 8 hours, meaning my pool would be turned over in just less than 4 hours.

 

[Iciee]

I thought I knew enough about pools but after discovering this forum I realized there is a lot more to learn. I know for me in phoenix during the summer I run it around 8-10 hours and in off season only half that. I am sure someone will chime in and give the correct info but I think someone had told me at leslies to run it 1hr for ever 10 degrees (not sure how accurate that is though)

 

[Melt In The Sun]

The rule of thumb is one turnover per day. The other rule of thumb is to run it only as long as it takes to keep the water looking clean (which takes some experimentation). I'd try maybe 5, and see how that works.

 

[Rockman59]

I live in the Coachella Valley (La Quinta/Palm Springs area) with temps now over 100 degrees every day and have a 48 foot x 30 foot pool, 8 feet deep at the deep end....I run my pump 5 hours a day....I have an Intelichlor salt system. Water is totally clean and meets all the numbers for Ph, chlorine, etc. 5 hours works for me pool.