First New Pool: My Pump, Filter and Saltwater ideas. Suggestions welcome...

[downrangedoug]

OK...enough creeping this site. I really don't have any info in my signature line yet because I am still deciding on my first pool set-up. The pool is a Sharkline Matrix Resin Above Ground. 28' x 54" Round. I figure around 20,000 gallons?


I've looked at the Pump/Filter Combos, but wanted to do a little different. I have viewed Pentair and others, but I like the "looks" of the Hayward Line and want to stick with that, Cartridge and SWG. So, I'm thinking, but question:


Hayward AQR9. Should I go with the T-CELL-9 or T-CELL-15?
Hayward SP932S 1.5HP Two-speed or SP15922S 1HP Two-speed?
Hayward C150S SwimClear 150 sq. ft. Single Element Cartridge Pool Filter or C200S SwimClear 200 sq. ft.


I don't mind paying for some conveniences or having some overkill, as long as functionality does not suffer (such as too large a pump for the paired filter). Any thoughts on which of these items would pair best for this application would be appreciated. We are currently getting estimates on necessary landscaping to make it all happen, so I'm looking forward to getting this going!


Side note: Wouldn't a timer be somewhat pointless on these two speed pumps. The descriptions say that they have a manual switch on the pump in order to change speeds. The timer would only be able to turn the pump on at its current set speed. If that speed is on "low" when the timer kicks it on, then you get 8-12 hours of low speed which may not keep the water clear. Then you would have to go and flip the switch to "high" manually. So why bother with a timer when pump is set to "low" speed? On the other hand, if the timer is set and the pump switch is set to "high," why not just save the extra cash and buy a single speed pump? Is there a way to override the "manual" switch?

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

54" is usually the wall height, so the water level might be about 6" lower ... making the volume about 18.4k

The combos usually seems to have a pump that is too big or a filter that is too small. So putting your own package together is better (there is no reason to stick to all the same brand either, btw)

Definitely go with the T-15 SWG so you do not have to run the pump as long.
The 1HP 2-speed power flo matrix should be plenty big.
The 150sqft filter is too small. The 200sqft is about the minimum I would go, a little bigger if you can swing it.

You can use a timer that allow you to also control the speed. Run on high for a few hours and then on low for a few more until you have generated sufficient FC.
Some members only run on low speed and just manually switch to high speed when they need to backwash (not for a cartridge filter obviously) or vacuum, etc. So you would still use a timer to turn on and off on low speed.

Note, pools really only need a couple hours of run time to circulate the chemistry. But, you will likely need a little longer than that for the SWG to make enough FC.

 

[downrangedoug]

Thank you for your response.

The next 2 larger filters appear to be Haywards C2030 (225 sq. ft.) or the Jandy CS250 (250 sq. ft.). How much of a square footage increase would you suggest for my 18.4K gallons?


Should stepping up to one of these larger filters then pair with the SP932S 1.5 HP pump? I read a suggestion that the pump should handle about 25% less GPM than its filter. Maybe I'm over-analyzing now, but I like over-analyzing

And, just curious...did you go D.E. for better water clarity than the other types of filters, or for other reasons?

 

[jblizzle]

As big a filter as you like. Just reduces frequency of cleaning.

No need to go to larger pump.

Filter came with the house. If I ever replace, likely will get large cartridge for the lower headloss.