Why have a separate waterfall pump vs come off of the main pump discharge?

[briggss3]

Ok, sorry if this is a dumb question..... Why do I have a dedicated waterfall pump? Why wouldn't I route a line from the main discharge (after SWG) to the waterfall pump discharge? I assume the pressure is too high, but that seems like it would be easy to solve by sizing the line and valve position. Also, to avoid 24/7 running in the waterfall, I am sure there are programmable PVC valves I could put in there....maybe even ones you can turn on or off with cell phone/WiFi.

Oh....I ask cause my single speed waterfall pump is dead. Replace the motor/pump....or just pull a line off of my new VSP which as a ton of excess capacity anyways....

 

[Jimrahbe]

Steven,

It depends a lot on the waterfall.. large waterfalls require a lot of water.. Waterfall pump are designed for that. Regular pool pumps are not.

If you have a dinky waterfall, like I have, then the main pool pump will work fine. But, even so, I have to crank my 3 HP VS pump up to 2800 RPM to make the waterfall work..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[briggss3]

Steven,

It depends a lot on the waterfall.. large waterfalls require a lot of water.. Waterfall pump are designed for that. Regular pool pumps are not.

If you have a dinky waterfall, like I have, then the main pool pump will work fine. But, even so, I have to crank my 3 HP VS pump up to 2800 RPM to make the waterfall work..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Mine is not too big. It's operated by a dedicated 1HP single speed pump. I reckon I could just leave as is and put the new motor on it that I just got from INYO. When it craps out....then tie it to the 3HP discharge.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Steven,

Do you even run the waterfall much?? I ask because once the fun wears out the first year, most water features are never used again,,

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[briggss3]

Steven,

Do you even run the waterfall much?? I ask because once the fun wears out the first year, most water features are never used again,,

Thanks,

Jim R.

Well...its a new to me pool and we never use it since the dedicated pump is bad.