I am planning on replacing my pump, pretty sure its too big

[leena]

now here are 2 pumps that are 2 speed and only 1hp so would this be better? Would that mean on low it would only be 1/2hp? One is a Hayward for approx. $275 the other is Blue Wave for approx. $175. IS the Hayward better quality or are they practically the same thing?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00212NNU4/...=IPBL5VSUIDVO8

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ITPPS6E/...P8VM63AB&psc=1

[SunnyOptimism]

Hi @leena, glad to hear back from you! Lots of posts to answer, so here's a synopsis -

Posting Pictures

Use a photo sharing service like Photobucket or Picasa. Both of those services are free with lots of upload space. Once you upload a photo, it is assigned an IMG link (which looks a lot like an "http://" link). You can then cut & paste that link in any forum thread and the picture will automatically be displayed in your posts. Trying to attach photos using the Pool Forum's vBulletin software is a waste of time. Since this forum runs on a server with limited storage capacity, users just can't be given a lot of storage space or else the forum will crash.

Sand Filters

I am no expert so all I can offer you is this advice - bigger is ALWAYS better when it comes to sand filters. The last thing you want to do is try to run an undersized sand filter with an overpowered pump. Sand filters are describe either by their full sand weight (pounds of sand) or the diameter of the filters "belly" measured in inches. Either way, the bigger the number, the more water flow you get. So your best best bet is to get the largest size sand filter you can reasonably afford. A bigger sand filter always means longer times between cleaning. So if you don't want to backwash a lot, bigger is better.

Pump

Definitely get a 2-speed pump, 1.5HP sounds like it would be more than enough for your pool. The two speed option is desirable because sand filters actually perform better (finer particulate filtration) at lower speeds. So for everyday water circulation you can use the low speed setting and get good energy savings and great filtration. Then, when you need to vacuum or run a robotic cleaner, you can kick it up to high speed for fast vacuuming.

Vendors

Look, Hayward is the biggest name out there. I don't know of anyone who went with Hayward filtration products and hated it. There are other vendors (Pentair, etc) but if you're happy with Hayward, then stick with it.

Sorry I can't be more specific, but I am a DE filter guy so my knowledge on sand filters is limited. You could always call up the Hayward technical support people (I hear they are very helpful) and give them some pool details. They may be able to give you lots of different combinations and options to work with.

[leena]

thanks for the replies!sorry for so many questions at once:/

So if I have a 1.5hp pump, when Im runnin it on low does that make it the equivalent of a 3/4hp while on low?

If so, Im thinking I need to get a 1hp so that when Im running it on low its the equivalent of 1/2.......

[SunnyOptimism]

thanks for the replies!sorry for so many questions at once:/

So if I have a 1.5hp pump, when Im runnin it on low does that make it the equivalent of a 3/4hp while on low?

If so, Im thinking I need to get a 1hp so that when Im running it on low its the equivalent of 1/2.......

It doesn't quite work that way. For a 2-speed pump, the low speed is typically 1750RPM and the high speed is typically 3450RPM. While those numbers are roughly 1/2 one another, that doesn't necessarily equate to a pumps power consumption (horsepower) being half. For example, I have a variable speed pump and a control system that lets me set the RPM value and then reports back how many watts of power the pump is using. When I set the pump RPM's to half the max speed, it does not use half the amount of power at high speed.

[leena]

hmmm, not sure if I understand that for sure but I think from what I've read that I should go with the 2speed 1hp. Ok, I didn't find a combo set with a 2 speed 1 hp so I guess I will be buying my sand filter separate. So from what you said about a bigger sand filter being good, it should be ok to go back with a 200lb filter even though Im dropping down to a smaller pump?

Ok, that being said, is there such a thing as low quality sand filters? if Im getting a Hayward pump should I go ahead I get a Hayward sand filter?

Im sorry I realize that's 3 questions but they are all pertaining to the sand filter so kinda same subject, lol

[leena]

http://s172.photobucket.com/user/lee...nssji.jpg.html
http://s172.photobucket.com/user/lee...md4oc.jpg.html
http://s172.photobucket.com/user/lee...92py0.jpg.html

[leena]

Well I said I couldnt find a 1hp 2speed combo but here is one:

SD35 SYSTEM 1HP 2 SPEED PUMP PNSD0035DE2160
Pentair sand dollar system. Its a 1hp 2 speed pump but the filter looks really small. 16", 100lbs. It says it will filter 16,800 gallons in 8 hrs and my pool is 12,000 gallons so I guess that would work but it just seems so small compared to everything Ive been looking at. But the name is good(Pentair) and the price is great ($431 for the pump & filter both). Its also a 2 speed.........but that sand filter just looks itty bitty.

I just dont know if I am truly understanding what I need.............?

Am I even in the ball park in the systems I am considering?
If it were you what combination of pump & filter would you use if you were trying to stay less than $700 for both?

[SunnyOptimism]

OK, that's not what I meant by an IMG link. Hard to explain in words, but if you click on any picture in Photobucket you'll see a section off to the side for "sharing". In that area of the screen is a field called "IMG". The text inside that box is the link you copy & paste into a post.

Ok, pumps and filters. There is no hard and fast rule for selecting a pump/filter combo, just some general principles. The main thing you need to size for a pump and filter (and match the filter to the pump) is flow rate (measured in gallons per minute or GPM). So if we want your 12k gallon pool to turn over the water every four hours, then you need a MINIMUM flow rate of 50 GPM. That's the minimum amount of flow through the entire pipe system, pump, filter and returns. Since it looks like your pump/filter pad is closely attached to your above ground pool, then you I would say you want to find the largest 2-speed pump and filter combo that gives you a minimum flow rate of 50GPM. I'd size it a little bigger (1.5 times my need) and look for something that can produce a 75GPM flow rate.

Then, as stated in my previous posts, BIGGER is BETTER for sand filters so get the biggest one you can afford. A 2-speed pump is way more desirable than a single speed pump since your power consumption is dramatically reduced at lower RPM's. And, as I saw in your pictures, you should really consider replumbing everything you can with straight walled PVC and ditch the flex-tube connections. Straight PVC has lower head loss then lots of long flex tube runs.

That's the best advice I can offer. There are other users on the forum way more knowledgeable than me about pumps and filter and I really hope that they will chime in and correct any inadequate advice I might be offering.

[kelemvor]

[leena]