Pump run time

[JLP3]

I have an above ground pool with a sand fiter. So I realize when adding chemicals you have to run the pump an adequate amount of time to mix said chemicals properly. My question is on days when you are not adding chemicals is it OK to just run it long enough to keep the surface skimmed and the clarity of the water to my satisfaction? I put chlorine in on Saturdays and I run it about 6 hours. The other six days of the week I've been running it only 2 hours a day. Pool looks great, clarity is crystal clear, readings are perfect. Is there any reason that I have to run the pump longer? Thanks.

 

[mas985]

I have an above ground pool with a sand fiter. So I realize when adding chemicals you have to run the pump an adequate amount of time to mix said chemicals properly.

In reality, mixing of chemicals takes less than 1 hour for most pools:

Circulation Dye Test

I have been wanting to do this test for some time but haven't gotten around to it until now. I ran three tests: 1) Dye in front of return at high speed 2) Dye in from of return at low speed 3) Dye in skimmer coming out of 4 returns at high speed The only issue was that the dye faded pretty...

www.troublefreepool.com

My question is on days when you are not adding chemicals is it OK to just run it long enough to keep the surface skimmed and the clarity of the water to my satisfaction? I put chlorine in on Saturdays and I run it about 6 hours. The other six days of the week I've been running it only 2 hours a day. Pool looks great, clarity is crystal clear, readings are perfect. Is there any reason that I have to run the pump longer? Thanks.

As shown in the above video, you would probably be just fine at 2 hours per day, every day.

 

[Newdude]

is it OK to just run it long enough to keep the surface skimmed and the clarity of the water to my satisfaction?

That's the reason to run the pump.

Mixing the pool takes 15 mins daily. Filtering whatever crud blows in the pool, and skimming the bigger stuff is 95% of the battle.

Assuming you never dance near min FC for your CYA level, if the pool sparkles hurt to look at, you can probably filter a little less run time. If it loses some sparkle (again assuming FC is well above min at all times) then you need a little more filtering time.

Skimming is hit or miss. If leaves and such have 12+hours to get waterlogged and sink, you're probably not skimming them and that's what vacs and robots are for. Or it's breezy for the 2 to 4 hours you are skimming and it all gets pushed to the wrong side and you got no skimming today. You'll end up with debris on the floor but stupid clear water if you're filtering enough.