Is this pump overkill for my setup?

[ninjajim4]

Started off with the pump that came in the box. I added a skimmer and noticed that it wasn't doing much, so after looking on Youtube, I saw that people install a flow reducer in the other intake. I dug up the skimmer box, found this part and installed it and the skimmer was working much better. Then, once in the pool, I checked the other intake and saw it was really doing pretty much nothing. I pushed some debris right next it and watch it all just float away. From this, I could see clearly that this pump doesn't have what it takes to effectively run both the skimmer and the other intake. Then, I've added a pool heater, which reduced the output even further.

Given these two elements, I knew I had to level up. Thought about getting a VSP, but it seemed like it was just too much to get into and probably more than I wanted to spend. I found the Intex SF60110-2 for a killer deal, which is supposedly 3000 GPH. Now that it's arrived, I see that it's completely massive. I wonder if it's TOO big and/or if that's a bad thing. I'll welcome any thoughts on it. Thank you!

 

[kellyfair]

I don’t think so - how many gallons in your pool?

 

[ninjajim4]

I don’t think so - how many gallons in your pool?

According to Intex, it's 4545 gallons

 

[Nitrojedi]

According to Intex, it's 4545 gallons

I have the same pump on a 18' x 48" Intex and its fine... the bigger pump even allows me to run a heat pump which apparently most Intex pumps cant run

 

[CT-Steven]

I have had a Hayward 1HP on my 9x18 for the last 2 years. It is roughly 5544 GPH. I think it is more important to match the pump flow with the filtration system.

 

[Hatman52]

I'm guessing the SF90110-1 is what came with your pool? That's what came with my Intex XTR 16' x 48" circular pool, which holds 5,061 - very close to the same amount of water as your pool. It works fine with my pool, although I wouldn't mind some extra power when it comes to vacuuming. And a variable speed pump to cut down on electricity cost would be nice . . .

The SF90110-2 is the next step up, and really isn't that much of a jump. The pump is .30 instead of .25, and the filter tank is 12" instead of 10". The system flow rate is 1,600 gph vs 1,050, so there's a decent increase there. 50 lb. sand capacity vs. 35. Intex recommends it for pools 2,800 to 12,800 gallons, so you should be good there.

I've actually been thinking about getting that same pump/filter to upgrade what I have, as it's only $230 with free Prime shipping through Amazon, and it would be plug & play for me. Just not sure if it's enough of an upgrade to make it worthwhile.

 

[ninjajim4]

Hmmmm.. so I installed this pump today and I'm a bit disappointed. The skimmer works great with the flow reducer attached to the other intake, which is a clear improvement over the sx1500 since adding the heat pump in line. But it's still practically useless with the flow reducer off.

I'd envisioned this thing sucking up water through both the skimmer and the other intake unimpeded. Is this not a realistic expectation? Does the skimmer still do anything to circulate/filter the water below the surface? I'd felt that the water below the surface could be cleaner and was hoping to address it with this new pump.