Any reason why I shouldn't connect two intex pumps together (2500gph + 1000gph)?

[dombavetta]

I have had an absolute heck of a time opening my pool this year. During the winter the pool cover ripped and a bunch of leaves got in and took a real toll on the water. It looked like the black lagoon when I removed the cover this year..I've slowly but surely been brining it back to life, now at a relatively cloudy lime green water color. The little 1000gph just wasnt moving water quick enough so I upgraded to the 2500gph intex pump. On the first run of the new pump it started ripping water through at a really impressive rate, however.. after about 10 minutes the pump pretty much completely looses pressure. I narrowed it down to the filter, take that out and give it a fresh clean and it starts moving water again. 10 minutes later, nothing... and repeat. (If I run the pump without the filter it will run forever without pressure loss). I did not have this problem with the old 1000gph pump that was left by the previous home owners. Maybe the filter was just good and used and maybe had some tears that was still allowing water through even after being covered in algea, idk.. any way I cant run this new pump for longer that 15 or so minutes before having to clean the filter, It doesn't even look that dirty either. This is not going to work for me.. I decided to go a little mad scientist and string the two pumps together, the 100gph giving the 2500gph a little extra "oomph" as the filter starts to clog up. This gives me maybe 15 more minutes of runtime before I have to change the filter on the bigger pump.

A couple of things Id like to know
- anyone else have any issue with ridiculously short lived run times on their pumps, if so any tips to improve other than changing every half hour?
- is this two stage pump system dangerous to run i.e, will it damage either pump, blow a fuse, etc..?

Its been running like this for about half a day now and I haven seen or heard anything alarming, but I'm no expert in this field so I'd like to garner outside input.

 

[Woodstock1234]

I have no idea, but it definitely is inventive. I would think in IL, it would be cheaper to drain and fill with new water than run electric for 2 pumps. I think it cost me about $30 to fill 7K gallons.

 

[Teald024]

The second pump in series isn’t filtering anything, it’s just providing pressure and flow. You would be better off running them separate from each other to effectively make it seam like the filter is bigger. You would probably need different hoses that you can throw over the side and weight the ends down. Not the most elegant solution.
Intex filters are notoriously bad, especially the cartridge ones. You’ll just have to do the best you can.

 

[dombavetta]

I have no idea, but it definitely is inventive. I would think in IL, it would be cheaper to drain and fill with new water than run electric for 2 pumps. I think it cost me about $30 to fill 7K gallons.

In hindsight, I would have absolutely drained the pool and cleaned it. But now, given all the time and chemicals I've put into the pool trying to clear it up I've taken it as a challenge upon myself to beat this thing. I am far too stubborn, I refuse to loose to a dirty pool

 

[dombavetta]

The second pump in series isn’t filtering anything, it’s just providing pressure and flow. You would be better off running them separate from each other to effectively make it seam like the filter is bigger. You would probably need different hoses that you can throw over the side and weight the ends down. Not the most elegant solution.
Intex filters are notoriously bad, especially the cartridge ones. You’ll just have to do the best you can.

That is correct, I wasn't really concerned with filtering in the second pump as I know there was still tons of unused filter material in the first pump. Like you said, I was using it in an attempt to keep the flow more steady as the filter began to clear up. It honestly doesn't make any sense how a large filter like this clogs up so fast, it just doesn't feel right. I do however like the idea of running both pumps separate from each other. I think I will try that this weekend, I have some spare bungee cords that I used to keep the cover down, I'm sure I could tie down the second inlet hose with some of those.

I did however just remove the second 1000 gph pump form the system, I was starting to see white stress marks on the plastic lid. I think I was probably pumping water in too fast from the first pump that the smaller pump couldn't keep up with. I'm sure given enough time I probably would have blown the lid right off

 

[kellyfair]

Let’s see a pic of your water.

 

[dombavetta]

Let’s see a pic of your water.

GREEEEN

 

[kellyfair]

Are you doing a SLAM. Have you netted out as much solid debris as possible?

 

[dombavetta]

Are you doing a SLAM. Have you netted out as much solid debris as possible?

I didn’t want to start the SLAM until I was sure I got all the debris out and was sure my pump situation was in order. The small pump is not strong enough to run a vacuum and the big one clogs up after a couple minutes. I’ve been running a small robotic vacuum a couple times a day and that is finally started to lighten up in the amount of dirt and algae it’s taking off the bottom, I haven’t really seen any leaves or large debris in awhile so I think I cleared all of that up. I made a lot of progress in terms of cleaning the pool (you should have seen the color when I started) but I feel like my progress has kind of stagnated.

Do you feel like the 1000gph pump would be enough to properly circulate the water during a SLAM? I really don’t trust the 2500gph right now, something is definitely off there. Additionally, should I start a SLAM when there is still traces of dirt in the bottom of the pool? I kinda felt like the chlorine was going to be burnt up by mostly attacking that instead of the algae. It’s hard to know much is down there since I can’t see to the bottom…

 

[kellyfair]

I think it will be really hard to SLAM with the smaller pump/filter alone. Not sure what is going on with the larger one. Granted, your pool is pretty swampy but to act like it is totally clogged in 10 minutes, especially since you say it doesn’t look that bad when you open it, is odd.

Honestly, I’m all for a challenge, but when you are dealing with equipment that isn’t up for the job, I think you should drain. When you have much cleaner water you can better judge your pump’s performance.

 

[Bperry]

I think waiting on the SLAM is not a good idea if you plan to keep the water. Any way to run the water without the filter? Just get circulation in there and only filter a little so you aren’t constantly cleaning the filter.

 

[dombavetta]

I think waiting on the SLAM is not a good idea if you plan to keep the water. Any way to run the water without the filter? Just get circulation in there and only filter a little so you aren’t constantly cleaning the filter.

Yes I can remove the filter and the 2500 gph pump runs just fine. However, what will happen with all the algae that’s being killed from the slam, won’t that just linger in the pool as it gets recirculated? I kind of thought a portion of the slam was removing what’s been killed so the water clears up.

 

[dombavetta]

I think it will be really hard to SLAM with the smaller pump/filter alone. Not sure what is going on with the larger one. Granted, your pool is pretty swampy but to act like it is totally clogged in 10 minutes, especially since you say it doesn’t look that bad when you open it, is odd.

Honestly, I’m all for a challenge, but when you are dealing with equipment that isn’t up for the job, I think you should drain. When you have much cleaner water you can better judge your pump’s performance.

Yes, the smaller pump will chug all day without losing any pressure regardless of how dirty I’ve seen that filter get. It’s definitely very strange, I would think there was an issue with the pump itself had I not discovered it pumps just fine without the filter in place. As much as it pains me to backtrack that far, I’m starting to convince myself draining is the way to go..

 

[Teald024]

As much as it pains me to backtrack that far, I’m starting to convince myself draining is the way to go..

If you have access to clean, metal free water then I'd suggest the drain and refill as well. Save yourself the aggravation of using pumps that are notoriously undersized. Exchange the water, then do the SLAM Process and brush the sides often.

 

[Bperry]

Yes I can remove the filter and the 2500 gph pump runs just fine. However, what will happen with all the algae that’s being killed from the slam, won’t that just linger in the pool as it gets recirculated? I kind of thought a portion of the slam was removing what’s been killed so the water clears up.

Yes, filtering it out at same time is better but every day you don’t add chlorine is another day the algae grows even more which makes things worse.

 

[Mdragger88]

I would drain , scrub - then proceed w/ SLAM Process as recommended above- its a very small amount of water.
Even on a clear pool those little filters clog quickly.
Also A sand filter would make your life much easier. It may not be in the cards right now especially due to availability/pricing issues but i recommend looking for one - especially if you intend to keep your pool & possibly upgrade it in the future.
In the meantime since it is pool season & they’re probably available at the store pickup some extra filters so you can just swap them out quickly & not have to stop what you’re doing to wash the one out.
I also like the idea mentioned above of the 2 filters working in parallel thus increasing your filtering capacity vs in line w/ each other like you had them set up. Even after draining/refilling you will be dealing w/ dead algae during the SLAM Process so it may be very helpful.

 

[CT-Steven]

My pool looked like that as well. While I test myself I do use Leslie Pool products. YMMV
The Pool School here I believe does list over the counter products that will do the same.
I used 3lbs of Alkalinity Up, waited 4 hours, then 10oz of Algae control, waited 1 hour. then a full bag of Clor Brite.
Over night the water is slightly cloudy and still have a few small green patches of algae at the bottom but for the most part on the right track and should be pool water in the next few days.
I do know Algae abatement is a time based process and is not done over night. I do also believe that having a much larger pump and filtration system helped the process along a little quicker.

 

[kellyfair]

My pool looked like that as well. While I test myself I do use Leslie Pool products. YMMV
The Pool School here I believe does list over the counter products that will do the same.
I used 3lbs of Alkalinity Up, waited 4 hours, then 10oz of Algae control, waited 1 hour. then a full bag of Clor Brite.
Over night the water is slightly cloudy and still have a few small green patches of algae at the bottom but for the most part on the right track and should be pool water in the next few days.
I do know Algae abatement is a time based process and is not done over night. I do also believe that having a much larger pump and filtration system helped the process along a little quicker.

I‘m not sure what is in all of that stuff, but if it is anything besides chlorine, CYA, muriatic acid, etc., it is not anything we recommend here. In particular, check the ingredients of that algae control to make sure it doesn’t contain copper.

You are likely spending more than you need to spend, and adding unnecessary stuff to your pool.