Pump selection: Am I in ground or above ground?

[Achilles]

Hi y’all.

I need to buy a new pump and am trying to size it properly. My first question is whether I need an IG or AG pump.

My setup is a Radiant 24’ circular pool that is buried in the ground. (“The above ground pool with the inground attitude.” Cheesy tagline. Lol). Also, my filter (sand) pad is located down a hill from the pool. It is probably about level with the BOTTOM of the pool, maybe a little lower even.

I don’t know the difference between IG and AG pumps. Which one seems right for my setup?

Thanks!

 

[Texas Splash]

The above ground pool with the inground attitude.

Ha ha. The whole concept behind advertising a pump as one or the other is that those marketed as inground are designed to pull water better for prime and sustaining good suction flow. Above ground pumps are generally a little lighter class of pumps and rely on the AGP's elevated waterline to help provide easy water flow downhill to the pump. Having said that, there are good pumps marketed for AGPs that work for inground. I'm currently using a Hayward Power Flo Matrix and had a Waterway Supreme before that for our inground, and both of those were listed for AGP use.

To answer your question, your waterline is at ground level, so consider it an inground pool.

 

[Texas Splash]

I just noticed you clarified that the equipment pad is downhill a bit from your pool, so that would help if you went with a pump that was advertised for AGP use.

 

[Achilles]

Thanks, TS! Given the pump elevation, I agree that it is essentially an AG.

Now to sort thru all of the other pump selection variables!