Concrete pad for pump and filter

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miamicuse

Well-known member
May 26, 2019
128
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I am planning to disconnect my pump and filter, then form and pour a 24"X24" concrete pad probably about 4" in thickness.

I am wondering, while the concrete cures my pump and filter are not operational.

I know concrete takes 28 days to cure. But I do not think I can wait 28 days before running the pump and filter.

How many days do you think I can wait to put back the pump and filter, connect piping and run them? Is a week long enough?
 
I would do a 50% mix of fiber reinforced crack resistant and 50% fast setting.

Fiber reinforced helps prevent cracks.

You can use a fast setting or high early strength concrete to speed up the cure time.

If you add in some hydraulic cement, it will speed up the cure time, but it can set too fast, so unless you are experienced, the hydraulic will cause it to set too fast before you get it placed.

If you add hydraulic, only use maybe 10% by weight and mix dry before adding water.

Once water gets to the hydraulic cement, the clock is ticking and you have to be quick.

Maybe do a test mix with a small amount to see how fast the mix sets.

1660834642820.png
  • Reaches 2500 psi in 3-days and 5000 psi in 28-days
1660833823692.png

Q•Max Pro® | QUIKRETE: Cement and Concrete Products

QUIKRETE® Q•Max Pro Concrete Mix (No. 1004-81) is a fiber reinforced, rapid hardening concrete formulated to provide a 1-hour working time, a walk-on time of 3 hours and achieve a compressive strength of 6500 PSI (44.8MPa).
www.quikrete.com www.quikrete.com

Fast-Setting Concrete Mix | QUIKRETE: Cement and Concrete Products

The QUIKRETE® Companies are the largest manufacturers of packaged concrete in the United States and an innovative leader in the commercial building and home improvement industries.
www.quikrete.com www.quikrete.com

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1660833896236.png

1660834155975.png
 
Last edited:
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1poolman1 said:
A two-foot square will barely accommodate a pump OR a filter, but NOT both. Even a "Florida" filter (usually very small) is over 12" in diameter.
Click to expand...
JamesW said:
That's not very big.

You need room for the pump and filter and some separation.

You also want to plan for a new filter in the future, which might be a heavy sand filter or a cartridge or DE.
Click to expand...
Yes I probably need to bigger area. I will measure them again and allow for some separation.
 
JamesW said:
I would do a 50% mix of fiber reinforced crack resistant and 50% fast setting.

Fiber reinforced helps prevent cracks.

You can use a fast setting or high early strength concrete to speed up the cure time.

If you add in some hydraulic cement, it will speed up the cure time, but it can set too fast, so unless you are experienced, the hydraulic will cause it to set too fast before you get it placed.

If you add hydraulic, only use maybe 10% by weight and mix dry before adding water.

Once water gets to the hydraulic cement, the clock is ticking and you have to be quick.

Maybe do a test mix with a small amount to see how fast the mix sets.

View attachment 447316
  • Reaches 2500 psi in 3-days and 5000 psi in 28-days
View attachment 447310

Q•Max Pro® | QUIKRETE: Cement and Concrete Products

QUIKRETE® Q•Max Pro Concrete Mix (No. 1004-81) is a fiber reinforced, rapid hardening concrete formulated to provide a 1-hour working time, a walk-on time of 3 hours and achieve a compressive strength of 6500 PSI (44.8MPa).
www.quikrete.com www.quikrete.com

Fast-Setting Concrete Mix | QUIKRETE: Cement and Concrete Products

The QUIKRETE® Companies are the largest manufacturers of packaged concrete in the United States and an innovative leader in the commercial building and home improvement industries.
www.quikrete.com www.quikrete.com

View attachment 447311


View attachment 447312

View attachment 447313
Click to expand...
I have used the fast setting concrete mix to set wood fence posts. Never tried the crack resistant fiber reinforced mix. I will look into that for sure.
 
One crazy idea is they make these pads for HVAC compressors to sit on. Comes in different sizes 36"X36", 24"X48" or even custom sizes, and available in concrete or some fiberglass plastic materials and all you need to do is to put some sand, compact the ground, drop the pad in, wiggle it until level and ready immediately.

AC-condenser-pad-selection.jpg

I wonder if this is a viable option...
 

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miamicuse said:
One crazy idea is they make these pads for HVAC compressors to sit on. Comes in different sizes 36"X36", 24"X48" or even custom sizes, and available in concrete or some fiberglass plastic materials and all you need to do is to put some sand, compact the ground, drop the pad in, wiggle it until level and ready immediately.

I wonder if this is a viable option...
Click to expand...
I have that setup, with a 24 x 48 equipment pad from Diversitech.
 
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duraleigh said:
That what my 950 lb filter and pump sat on. 36x36
Click to expand...
That's good to know.

Is yours a concrete pad, or is it a plastic "poly" pad? I have seen the specs on these pads and I know they can withstand a lot of weight no problem for my pump and filter. However, I wonder how you would anchor the pump and filter to it. With concrete my thinking is when I pour the concrete I will embed bolt anchors to the concrete for the pump and filters. If I ever need to change pump and filter and the anchor points change, I will drill holes through the concrete and set new sleeve anchors.

But with this light weight plastic pad, I don't think you can drill and secure anything from the top side. Do you measure and mark where the anchor points are then drill holes, then use hex bolts with large washers from the underside up, and tighten down from the top with nuts? Is that what is necessary? If you need to change anchor points you will need to remove the pad and flip it over to do it?
 
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