Pump Flow Rate Vs. System Flow Rate

[Gkids]

What is the difference between the pump flow rate as compared to the system flow rate. The pool I am planning to buy (Coleman 18' x 9' x 48") will come with a filter pump flow rate of 1500 GPH but a system flow rate of only 1050 GPH. So, for a 3,913 gallon pool (at 90% capacity according to product description) will this pump be good enough and how many hours do I have to run this pump to ensure that water is filtered and turned over properly?

I have been reading a lot of complain about pump that comes with AGP not sufficient enough for the size of the pool but I am not sure if it is just a user error (i.e. not running the pump long enough, Not maintaining water balance, tracking a lot of dirt to the pool, etc.). I may be wrong but company should have tested this pump to be good for majority of the users. My pool will be placed in the back yard where there is no nearby trees so no leaves falling into the pool and I'm planning on adding a foot wash so that kids wash their foot before entering the water. I am thinking the provided filter pump should be sufficient enough if run at least 4 hours a day? Then maybe upgrade when the pump dies.

If I do upgrade, will upgrading to something like Intex (3000 gph pump flow rate/2450 gph system flow rate) sand filter an overkill that will hurt the integrity of the liner due to too much pressure? How do you select the right size for your pool?

Thanks!

 

[Bama Rambler]

Those numbers are mfg. numbers on an ideal setup.

To answer your question, that pump and filter should be ok provided that you keep the filters clean and maintain the chem levels appropriately (according to TFP). You'll likely find that you need to run that pump and filter for more than four hours a day in order to keep the pool clean and sanitized, but you'll just have to play with the run time to figure out the length of time you need to run the pump.

 

[Gkids]

Thanks Bama.

From what I have read, you need to do a complete cycle the entire water in your pool. With that said, do I use the pump flow rate or system flow rate to calculate?

Say I have 4000 gal of water

If I use the pump flow rate of 1500 gph then it can circulate 6000 gal for the 4 hours or 1 1/2 times.

If I use the system flow rate of 1050 gph then it can circulate 4,200 gal for the 4 hours or 1x.

Is that the way it works or am I missing something?

 

[Bama Rambler]

Don't worry about turnover amount. All you need to do is run the pump long enough to keep the water clear of debris. Just start out running it four hours and if that keeps it clean, you can lower it a little, if it doesn't you can raise the run time a little.

 

[Gkids]

Thanks!