Plumbing config

[mmcguire]

Any thoughts on the attached plumbing diagram. I am going the owner/builder route and I want to make sure I communicate with my plumber exactly what I want.

[duraleigh]

How big is your pool? (gallons)

[mmcguire]

23,800 gallons, Also Pump 2 is for the waterfall.

[CarlD]

Why do you need a separate intake for the vac? Most just use the skimmer, and with a skimmer cap you can leave the basket in.

I had wondered about the two extra pumps. Do you REALLY need 2hp for a waterfall??? The electric will KILL you!

[duraleigh]

My initial reaction is that size system would be appropriate for a 60,000 gallon pool but waaay too big for 23,800.

You need to push about 50gpm for a pool your size. A full rated .75hp pump would be fine. 2" intake plumbing and 1.5" pressure side would be adequate as well.

[jabre]

Have you considered using two speed pumps? I have just configured my pool with a similar setup to yours. I have about the same size pool with a 2/0.5 2-speed on the filter and a 1.5/0.33 2-speed on the waterfall/slide. I figure I'll run the pool at low speed through a sand filter almost exclusively. The waterfall will have subtle/sunami selectability with the 2-speed. My pool will be filled at the end of next week. I'll be glad to share how it worked out if you're interested.

[mmcguire]

My initial reaction is that size system would be appropriate for a 60,000 gallon pool but waaay too big for 23,800.

You need to push about 50gpm for a pool your size. A full rated .75hp pump would be fine. 2" intake plumbing and 1.5" pressure side would be adequate as well.

I too thought the pipe sizes are overkill but that is what someone recommended. All of the pipe sizes I have quotes for are 2" and 1.5". So my pumps are too large as well? Am I going to wate electicity, burn out the pumps, and/or waste $$ buying bigger pumpes that I do not need? Just trying to understand. Thanks for the help.

[mmcguire]

Have you considered using two speed pumps? I have just configured my pool with a similar setup to yours. I have about the same size pool with a 2/0.5 2-speed on the filter and a 1.5/0.33 2-speed on the waterfall/slide. I figure I'll run the pool at low speed through a sand filter almost exclusively. The waterfall will have subtle/sunami selectability with the 2-speed. My pool will be filled at the end of next week. I'll be glad to share how it worked out if you're interested.

Yes I would like to see how yours work. Basically I want to be able to run my waterfall, spa jets, and filtering setup all seperatly. I want to be able to control the flow of my waterfall and the speed of my spa jets.

[waterbear]

You can use gate valves or jandy type valves to control the flow to the waterfall. Use a jandy type 3 way to control the return and drain to the pool and spa and you can do it with one pump and filter. You can use a blower to 'supercharge' the spa jets.

[mmcguire]

Okay so I downgraded the pipe and pump sizes. I also added what the equiptment will be. What are the issue you see with this setup?

http://www.howibuiltmypool.com/images/plumbing.jpg

Thanks for the help.

[mmcguire]

I am about to purchase the equiptment in the diagram above (last post on page 1). Are my pump sizes okay?