Brand new pool! How do I optimize the pump?

[kingkuze]

Hello! New pool owner here. I've been lurking for a number of months--a huge thank you to all the contributors here as I've been able to learn a ton. We finally just finished our pool and 30 day start-up, and I'm looking for some guidance to find the optimal settings for our pump. My general understanding is lower RPMs at longer time = less electricity cost and happier pool, and therefore I'm planning to keep the pump running as low as possible for 24 hours.

What settings would you recommend?

I added my pool details to my signature, but here are as many relevant facts I can come up with:

- pool and spa is 7300 gallons
- SWG
- 3 HP Pentair VSF
- pebble finish
- Dolphin M400 robot
- goal of pump is to keep pool as clean as possible
- we are in Florida and able to swim 365 days
- we have some oak tree cover and will have periods with high leaf fall (will likely get a Betta once the leaves start falling in February)
- no major water features other than two bubblers on shelf and spa waterfall

Photo included, but I will upload some better shots once the landscaping is finished.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jimrahbe]

KK,

Since you have a saltwater pool, the slowest speed you ever want to run is the speed that will just close the SWCG's flow switch plus about 100 RPM.

I see a spa, but you do not show a heater.. If you have heater you will have to run the pump faster to close the cell's flow switch.

I run at about 1200 RPM with an old 3 HP IntelliFlo. Since your pump is newer, you can most likely run slower than I can.

I would not run below about 1000 RPM, to make sure the skimmers are working, but each pool is different.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[mknauss]

Do you have automation? It would be best to run the bulk of the pump time without your spa spillover or bubblers. But you do need to run the water through the spa for a few minutes a couple times per day.

 

[Newdude]

Find what speeds perform all your functions. Start low and increase RPMs until the pool skims, the SWG / heater kicks on, etc. Add 100 RPMs to account for less flow as the filter gets dirty and those are the speeds to run for that function. Any higher RPM function naturally covers anything needing less for the duration. Then run the speed which satisfies the SWG/skimming, and bump it when needed for the heater, cleaning, water features, etc.

 

[kingkuze]

Thanks, all. Very helpful!