Swimming Pool Pump Size / Conversion from Chlorine to Salt

[cvan1971man]

I just measured my swimming pool and calculated the pool volume. It is a pretty small swimming pool - 26' long x 14' wide x 33" deep in shallw and 60" deep in deep end. The calculator says i have just over 8,000 gallon pool.

What size pool pump do I need for this size pool. I am looking for a variable speed pool pump. I have two really old Centurion pool pumps.

If I were to convert from a chlorine to salt water, what size, make and model would you go with.

 

[HermanTX]

The pump size may be more of a function of flow parameters. How far away is your pump from the pool? Is the pump below or above the pool water level? Do you have 2" or 1 1/2" suction pipes?

Also, it would be best to match your pump mfg to the salt cell mfg. So, for example, if you are going all Pentair then 3 hp VS pump will be more than enough if you have no major flow concerns. The 3hp may sound like an overkill but you should plan to run it at a lower speed which reduces electricity usage significantly. The goal is to have your salt cell generate a little chlorine over a long period per day. Some people run their VS pump 24 hrs per day. If you run your pump for 12 hrs for example, then your salt cell has to output 2x as much to generate the same amount of chlorine for that day.

Do you plan to install any automation to control your pump and salt cell remotely? If so, then also match that to the same mfg which provides the best interface.

 

[Jimrahbe]

cvan,

Just to make sure we are all on the same page. A saltwater pool is a chlorine pool. Instead of manually adding chlorine to the pool, the salt system uses the salt in the pool water to make its own chlorine.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[cvan1971man]

cvan,

Just to make sure we are all on the same page. A saltwater pool is a chlorine pool. Instead of manually adding chlorine to the pool, the salt system uses the salt in the pool water to make its own chlorine.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Yep, my parents have a salt water pool and love it.

 

[cvan1971man]

The pump size may be more of a function of flow parameters. How far away is your pump from the pool? Is the pump below or above the pool water level? Do you have 2" or 1 1/2" suction pipes?

Also, it would be best to match your pump mfg to the salt cell mfg. So, for example, if you are going all Pentair then 3 hp VS pump will be more than enough if you have no major flow concerns. The 3hp may sound like an overkill but you should plan to run it at a lower speed which reduces electricity usage significantly. The goal is to have your salt cell generate a little chlorine over a long period per day. Some people run their VS pump 24 hrs per day. If you run your pump for 12 hrs for example, then your salt cell has to output 2x as much to generate the same amount of chlorine for that day.

Do you plan to install any automation to control your pump and salt cell remotely? If so, then also match that to the same mfg which provides the best interface.

Thanks for the thorough response. The pump is within 20' of the pool. The pump is above the pool water level and 1.5" suction pipes.