Is there any reason I can't use a regular pool pump to replace a booster pump?

Mar 26, 2014
1,230
San Jose, CA
I just upgraded my equipment pad with a new Hayward Tristar VS pump and a Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 320 cartridge filter. I have a Polaris 280 running off an old 3/4 hp booster pump that has seen better days. I was thinking that maybe I would swap out the booster pump with my old main pump which is only 2 years old and is still in great shape. It's a Hayward 1.5 hp Super Pump. Any reason why this would be a problem?

This is my new setup. I did all the work myself.

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The booster pumps put out around 50 psi with low flow. The standard pool pump is high volume/flow at low pressure. I don't think it will work.

I wanted to do basically the same thing - use a standard pool pump for a pressure side cleaner with full pump output going to the cleaner. I called Polaris and Pentair and spoke with their techs, and eventually learned it wouldn't work (or perhaps I should say, it was told it wouldn't work).
 
It might work but you probably won't be happy with the result.

This is the point where you should just bite the bullet and buy a robot. No more booster pump and your vs pump purring over in the corner won't eat your cash because robots cost pennies to operate.
 
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