New Pump and Filter

[darkstar32448]

Hello all. First post here. I'm in the process of choosing a new pump and filter for my 16,000 gallon gunite pool with a salt and solar heat system. I'm looking at a VS pump; my electric company is offering a $600 rebate! My old sand filter was leaking so I'll be replacing it as well. I have 1 1/2" PVC plumbing: 1 skimmer, 1 bottom drain and a single pipe feeding 2 returns. Any advice on which VS pump is best suited for me and filter sizing recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[PoolDoc]

I'll ask Mark to look at this.

There's some other information you need to supply, in order for Mark or me to give you the best advice:
+ What is the elevation (ground level, 2nd story roof, what?) of your solar system?
+ What sort of filter (sand, DE, cartridge) do you want or have to use? (If there are water or discharge restrictions, you may have to go with cartridge.)

AND, if you can take and email pictures of your pool, and particularly your piping and solar connection, and email them to poolforum@gmail.com, so I can post them, that would also help a lot.

[mas985]

With a combination of a VS pump, SWG and solar, you might want to think about an all in one automation system. Both Hayward and Pentair make them and can change the pump speed for when solar is on vs off and also for other situations. As for which manufacture is better, there are some trade-offs. I like the Hayward SWG and the EcoStar is a slightly more efficient pump than the Intelliflo. But on the other hand, Pentair seems to have a better reputation and the Intelliflo has a lot more time in the field than the EcoStar. But I think either one would be a good choice. If you get all the equipment from one manufacture, you can usually get a 3-year warranty which is a plus.

As for filter sizing, bigger is usually better and especially for a VS pump where backwashing isn't an issue. But if you are really after efficiency, then consider a cartridge filter. They have the lowest head loss of all filters as shown by the following table:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P_TT_CD1s4Q/T1VyTTugsXI/AAAAAAAAAkM/D2MHpYosSEo/s800/FilterTypes.jpg

But if you prefer sand, then get a large one.

[Watermom]

Hi Darkstar. Just wanted to pop in and say hello and welcome you to the Pool Forum. Also, thanks for the subscription. That is much appreciated!