We're 4 months into pool ownership and all is well on the chemistry side of things, crystal clear for the moment thanks to TFP. We're about to start using the pool for daily swimming and I'm a bit annoyed at the sound level of the main pump. I don't always remember it being this loud, but I do know I probably ran it 5-6 times without priming it first (i.e. filling it up with water) when I first was figuring things out and periodically cleaning the pump basket and also trying to determine/fix an air leak (just had to lube and replace the lid gasket).
Another piece of information is that I've got two identical pumps in my configuration. One runs the pool, the other is standalone running two waterfalls. I did a rudimentary measurement of decibel level and got ~77 on the waterfall pump and ~81 on the main pool pump.
I'm trying to assess my options and here is what I've come up with, let me know what you all think of these or any other ideas.
1. Replace some part of the pump to reduce the noise. I'm fairly handy (have replaced entire cooling systems on vehicles, brakes, etc.) but wouldn't be able to exactly determine which part and have never worked on a pump before. I'm okay with spending ~$100 if there is a 50%+ chance of reducing the noise. Is there a "typical" part that causes excess noise over time, like an impeller?
2. Swap the pumps (waterfalls -> main pool). Not sure how tricky this would be, but the pumps are identical and I figure the noise of the waterfall would cover up the noise of the louder pump when I decide to run the waterfalls then I would have the quieter pump running the main pool.
3. Replace the primary pump entirely with something new. Based on some quick research on a nice variable speed pump this would run me about $1k if I figure I can install myself.
I'm only running the pump 4.5 hours per day total (across two sessions) but assume I will need to run it more with summer coming and I also would prefer to run it while swimming.
Another piece of information is that I've got two identical pumps in my configuration. One runs the pool, the other is standalone running two waterfalls. I did a rudimentary measurement of decibel level and got ~77 on the waterfall pump and ~81 on the main pool pump.
I'm trying to assess my options and here is what I've come up with, let me know what you all think of these or any other ideas.
1. Replace some part of the pump to reduce the noise. I'm fairly handy (have replaced entire cooling systems on vehicles, brakes, etc.) but wouldn't be able to exactly determine which part and have never worked on a pump before. I'm okay with spending ~$100 if there is a 50%+ chance of reducing the noise. Is there a "typical" part that causes excess noise over time, like an impeller?
2. Swap the pumps (waterfalls -> main pool). Not sure how tricky this would be, but the pumps are identical and I figure the noise of the waterfall would cover up the noise of the louder pump when I decide to run the waterfalls then I would have the quieter pump running the main pool.
3. Replace the primary pump entirely with something new. Based on some quick research on a nice variable speed pump this would run me about $1k if I figure I can install myself.
I'm only running the pump 4.5 hours per day total (across two sessions) but assume I will need to run it more with summer coming and I also would prefer to run it while swimming.