As the title states, starting build next week and the steel guy asked me if I want him to use 2.5" or 3" suction from the both the pool and spa main drain to the pump? We initially planned on using 2.5" suction lines and 2" return lines, but would it be worth the extra money for the larger pipes to save on the effort of the pump? The pump is a Pentair Intelliflo (011018) and it is a relatively simple design with the only water features being two bubblers on the sun shelf. Thanks geniuses!
Has anyone used 3" pipe for suction and 2.5" pipe for all returns?
- Thread starter tampatommy
- Start date
Has anyone used 3" pipe for suction and 2.5" pipe for all returns?
We did 3” suction with (2) 2” returns plus (2) 1.5” venturi skimmer returns per pump.
(3” pipe to single superflow 360 drain, 2” lines split to (2) 1.5” returns per line, 1.5” lines to paramount paraskim V’s.)
If you are doing a return loop, a single 2.5 would work.
If you are doing a VS pump, it really won’t be moving more than maybe 50-60 gpm under normal usage so massive pipes are kinda overkill anyway.
We run each of our systems at around 55gpm in the summer and 30gpm in the winter.
You would probably be fine either way. If it’s a matter of a couple hundred to go bigger, go bigger...
We did 3” suction with (2) 2” returns plus (2) 1.5” venturi skimmer returns per pump.
(3” pipe to single superflow 360 drain, 2” lines split to (2) 1.5” returns per line, 1.5” lines to paramount paraskim V’s.)
If you are doing a return loop, a single 2.5 would work.
If you are doing a VS pump, it really won’t be moving more than maybe 50-60 gpm under normal usage so massive pipes are kinda overkill anyway.
We run each of our systems at around 55gpm in the summer and 30gpm in the winter.
You would probably be fine either way. If it’s a matter of a couple hundred to go bigger, go bigger...
haha yep. When we first started looking into a new pool 3 or 4 years ago we figured $50k would be pushing the bank. $69k and counting later......
Im all about going bigger but im leaning toward the more conservative standard 2.5" suction and 2" returns. But who doesnt like bigger and massive and overkill? Just need a valid reason.
Im all about going bigger but im leaning toward the more conservative standard 2.5" suction and 2" returns. But who doesnt like bigger and massive and overkill? Just need a valid reason.
https://flexpvc.com/Reference/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml
This is an interesting chart - bigger is probably marginally better (lower pipe friction / head loss) but again - with VS pump, not super necessary.
This is an interesting chart - bigger is probably marginally better (lower pipe friction / head loss) but again - with VS pump, not super necessary.
