New Install - pump and filter size?

[kimiftn]

Putting in an above ground 18x36 oval pool, approximately 14,000 gallons. The dealer recommended a Hayward VS 700 1.65 HP pump with Hayward C200S single element 200 sq ft cartridge filter. The pool will have 1 skimmer and 1 return. A couple of questions:

The pool installer said to go with a sand filter instead of cartridge due to having to clean it “every 2 weeks.” What I’ve read on here is that you only have to clean cartridge filters twice a year if you get a large enough one. Is the 200 sq ft filter size high enough for my size pool, or should I upgrade to a 325 sq ft cartridge filter?

Do I need to add a second return? The installer says it is not necessary, and he has never seen anyone do it on an above ground, but he will do it if we want. He recommended upgrading the pump to a 2 hp pump to help with water flow/return if we wanted. Would this be helpful? Or should we plumb and add the second return? Or would 1 return with the 1.65 HP pump be ok? Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

What size pipes will you have?

The size of your pipes will probably limit the flow you can get out of a high HP pump.

Read Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading and How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

Many folks hard pipe their AGP and add second returns to help in water circulation.

 

[wireform]

The filter cleaning comes down to water management. If you follow TFP methodology you won't need to clean the filter bi weekly. Maximum mid and close to end of the season with a decently sized cartridge filter.

 

[kimiftn]

The filter cleaning comes down to water management. If you follow TFP methodology you won't need to clean the filter bi weekly. Maximum mid and close to end of the season with a decently sized cartridge filter.

I understand that, but what is “decently sized” for my pool?

Thanks!

 

[Newdude]

I understand that, but what is “decently sized” for my pool?

No such calculation exists, regardless of what the dealer says. No calculation that holds any water, anyway. (Pun intended).

Environmental debris from your yard is 95% of your filtering needs. Your yard debris determines how big your filter should be. The pool volume that the industry touts is a crock because you could go twice as deep, with twice the gallons, but the surface area that yard crud falls/blows into didn't change, nor did the amount of debris.

Or the line of trees between you and your neighbor all blow towards them. You have the same exact pool and you need very little filtering and they need a ton. So XXX filter for YYYYYY gallons is moot.

An above ground pool collects somewhat less debris because of the raised walls. Leaves for example wont blow across the lawn and into the pool, they'll bounce around it and keep going. Pollen, dust or lighter debris may become airborne a 2nd time and find it's way in.

Post some pics of the yard so we get an idea how much crud yours might have.

 

[kimiftn]

No such calculation exists, regardless of what the dealer says. No calculation that holds any water, anyway. (Pun intended).

Environmental debris from your yard is 95% of your filtering needs. Your yard debris determines how big your filter should be. The pool volume that the industry touts is a crock because you could go twice as deep, with twice the gallons, but the surface area that yard crud falls/blows into didn't change, nor did the amount of debris.

Or the line of trees between you and your neighbor all blow towards them. You have the same exact pool and you need very little filtering and they need a ton. So XXX filter for YYYYYY gallons is moot.

An above ground pool collects somewhat less debris because of the raised walls. Leaves for example wont blow across the lawn and into the pool, they'll bounce around it and keep going. Pollen, dust or lighter debris may become airborne a 2nd time and find it's way in.

Post some pics of the yard so we get an idea how much crud yours might have.

This is the existing pool, not the pool we are putting in. The black lines are approximately where the new pool will be.

 

[PoolStored]

Is the 200 sq ft filter size high enough for my size pool, or should I upgrade to a 325 sq ft cartridge filter?

I would get the largest filter that you can afford, and that will fit on your pad.

It will come down to the amount of debris. Your backyard doesn't look too bad. I would get at least a 200. Is a 300 worth it? That is a question that can't be answered until you install one and see how often you need to clean. The larger you get the longer between cleanings.

Sand vs. Cart. is a personal preference. Both work well. Backwash with sand is likely a 10-15 minute chore every couple of weeks. And, you need a place for the water to go. With a large cartridge, you may get by with 1-2 cleanings a year, and will take about 30-60 minutes.

 

[Newdude]

The black lines are approximately where the new pool will be.

300 would be my start point with those big trees that will shed all kinds of crud. If the cost to go to 400s was minimal when divided over 20 years, I'd go 400s.

To expand on the post above, sand filters (or DE) have easier backwash cleanings to get them to the big, break it down and go buck wild cleaning once a year. They still need to be taken apart and deep cleaned.

All 3 filters get about as long between deep cleanings (yard specific) when you compare equal sized filters. For example, the largeest residential sand to the largest residential cartridge. Or the mediums (etc)

 

[bigpoppapoolman]

Putting in an above ground 18x36 oval pool, approximately 14,000 gallons. The dealer recommended a Hayward VS 700 1.65 HP pump with Hayward C200S single element 200 sq ft cartridge filter. The pool will have 1 skimmer and 1 return. A couple of questions:

The pool installer said to go with a sand filter instead of cartridge due to having to clean it “every 2 weeks.” What I’ve read on here is that you only have to clean cartridge filters twice a year if you get a large enough one. Is the 200 sq ft filter size high enough for my size pool, or should I upgrade to a 325 sq ft cartridge filter?

Do I need to add a second return? The installer says it is not necessary, and he has never seen anyone do it on an above ground, but he will do it if we want. He recommended upgrading the pump to a 2 hp pump to help with water flow/return if we wanted. Would this be helpful? Or should we plumb and add the second return? Or would 1 return with the 1.65 HP pump

What comes with it is a good choice unless there is a lot of debris such as trees all around it that will drop stuff into the pool. If that is the case then sand would be a better filter choice. The cartridge is simple and fairly easy to maintain. Ask them to include a spare cartridge and check Amazon for the cost of a replacement cartridge for that particular model # of filter. You’ll likely buy a new cartridge each year. Larger pump and second return is not needed. A robotic pool cleaner is a good option …maybe eliminates all hand manual vacuuming and improves pool water circulation/filtration. It will keep some big stuff from getting into the filter. You can ask them to include an extra skimmer and pump basket for easier quicker change out and you can clean the dirty basket easier when it dries out using a toothbrush or similar brush.

 

[mknauss]

You’ll likely buy a new cartridge each year.

Why? Cartridges should easily last 5 years, 10 if cleaned properly.