type of sand

[waterbear]

We emptied the old sand out of the filter and there was no pea gravel at the bottom, it's possible the old owners neglected to put it in there. Should we put pea gravel down there, would it help?

unfortunetly all discrimenating labels have long worn off both pump and filter. There is a plate attached to the pump with a number. I am having a problem downloading a picture. The numbers on the pump read COL1081PSC motor RU, I'm sorry I can't give you more info.

all the number you gave means is the motor meets UL 1081 for pool motors and that it is most likely a Marathon PSC series motor, which can be anything from 1/2 HP to 5 HP! Is there no name or numbers visible anywhere on the pump or filter? Even a partial one could help.

Is this a 'skid pack' from an above ground pool or a separate filter and pump? How big a pool was it on?

Not all manufacturers recommend pea gravel on the bottom of the filter but i feel it's a good idea to cover the laterals with pea gravel (and many other people in the biz feel the same).
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...ghlight=gravel
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showpos...55&postcount=5
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showpos...26&postcount=8

[purplegirl]

well after three trips to the dreaded pool store, we completely gave up on this filter and pump. after we replaced one part another broke, literally, this happened three times. (that's what you get for a free filter ) I'm returning all of the parts we bought and looking into a new or like new filter/pump. I just hope this ultimetly helps. the water company told me my main water line is a galvenized pipe and that it would probably cost about a grand to replace. i am at my witts end. but i am determined and stubborn so we'll say where this all goes. thanks waterbear!

[Watermom]

Make sure that your pump and filter size that you buy is a good match size-wise.

[purplegirl]

I don't know anything about buying filters. I have sand so I know I want a sand filter. I am probably going to get a 1 horsepower pump, but the rest I'm not sure about. How important is the "gpm" as well as the size of the filter, the amount of sand it can hold. There are a couple on craigslist I'm thinking about. One is a hayward S166T. It only holds 100lbs of sand and is 35 gpm. The other filter I haven't gotten specs on yet. Please help I'm clueless. and I desperatly want to clear my green pool!

[AnnaK]

I didn't know anything about pumps and filters either when we first planned our pool project. I went to four different pool stores and asked questions. I learned about types of filters: sand, DE, cartridge and how each is cleaned. I learned about pump sizes, 1-speed or 2-speed, HP, GPM, head, turnover . . .

My approach was to request information about a filtration system for a 12,500 gallon AGP. I said I didn't have the pool yet, was just beginning my education, and was starting out with the peripherals, the equipment, could they please help me select something appropriate. Everyone was very helpful and informative. I was, after all, a prospective customer.

This did take a little time and I realize you're under some constraints since your present system isn't working right, but if you can spend three evenings after work at three different pool stores asking questions and looking at systems you'll come away knowing a whole lot.

I selected a 1 1/2 HP 2-speed pump and a 19" sand filter. This has worked out extremely well. The pump runs on low speed for 7 hours during the night when the rates are lower by 45%. The sand in it is now in its 5th season. We replace the spider gasket each year and that's all the maintenance, other than the occasional backwash/rinse, it has ever needed.

IMO, this kind of research needs to be done hands-on in addition to reading about it on Websites and boards.

[Watermom]

Anna,
I'm glad you have been happy with your pump/filter set up. A 1-1/2 hp pump is a BIG pump for a 12,500 gallon pool. Overkill really. My pool is about the same size. I initially had a 1hp pump but it was more than I needed. When I changed it a few years ago, Poconos (our resident pump expert) selected a 1/2 hp inground full-rated pump for my pool and it has been fine. Saves me energy costs and is plenty pump for my pool. I also have a 200# sand filter. I have never had to change anything in my filter. The fact that you are having to change your spider gasket every year makes me wonder if the big 1-1/2 hp pump is damaging your filter. I dunno. I'm not the pump expert around here. Just wondering.

Purplegirl -- with a small 5000 gallon pool, you need a small pump. Anna's suggestion about visiting and talking at various pool places is a good idea except that pool stores are notorious for suggesting people buy pumps that are too big for their pools. Just be aware of this. I don't know my pumps but with that small of a pool, I can't imagine needing more than 1/2 hp. Do they make smaller than that? Your pool won't need too big. This is a case of bigger is NOT better.

[AnnaK]

Anna,
I'm glad you have been happy with your pump/filter set up. A 1-1/2 hp pump is a BIG pump for a 12,500 gallon pool. Overkill really. My pool is about the same size. I initially had a 1hp pump but it was more than I needed. When I changed it a few years ago, Poconos (our resident pump expert) selected a 1/2 hp inground full-rated pump for my pool and it has been fine. Saves me energy costs and is plenty pump for my pool. I also have a 200# sand filter. I have never had to change anything in my filter. The fact that you are having to change your spider gasket every year makes me wonder if the big 1-1/2 hp pump is damaging your filter. I dunno. I'm not the pump expert around here. Just wondering.

The pump runs on the LOW setting nearly all the time except when I vacuum or backwash rinse. LOW settings on a 2-speed pump use 1/4 of the power as do single speed pumps. I'm no math wizard and don't know if the relationship is linear but it's possible that this setup uses less energy than a 1-speed 1/2 hp pump does.

Spider gaskets are inexpensive and we don't mind doing the maintenance. We look at it like we do oil changes on the cars: every 2,500 miles, whether they need it or not

[purplegirl]

The reason I haven't gone to the pool stores by me (there are only 2) is because everyone that works there is totally incompetent, there are no mom and pop pool shops near me so I have to rely on the franchises. If I went in there and said I need something that will be strong enough to clear my green water. They would try selling me an algecide.

Also, I couldn't go in there and ask questions on a hypothetical because they all know I have a pool already. Also I am most likely going to buy a used filter and pump because new they are very expensive and my current pool, filter and pump only cost me a total of $500. So basically I am left with what I can find in my budget and hope that it helps my current situation.

[CarlD]

PG:

The most important thing is to make sure the filter is big enough for the pump.

I cannot imagine you needing anything bigger than 1/2 hp--even a 1/2 hp up-rated (for AG pools) should be EASILY adequate, and a 1/3 hp just as good.

You can call the pool pump companies and ask for their advice on their products. For example, Hayward makes an above-ground 1/2 hp and an above-ground 2 speed 1 hp.

They also make a small sand filter and pump combo (the S144) that sells for about $375. That might be ideal.