Is there a rule of thumb...

[aylad]

This seems like a good thread to post my question.

I have a 24' x 52" above ground pool with a 1Hp Astral pump and a Hayward 220T filter. The pump will be replaced this fall or winter during the end of season sales and price drops. I want to get the 1/2 Hp Hayword recommended on the Pool Solutions page.

I also have a timer that has seven settings per day. I'd like to minimize the pump time to reduce power consumption (obviously), but I also want to keep my water as pristine as possible (obviously).

As I am new to pool ownership, what would be an ideal schedule for me to start with my timer? Also, what I'm really looking for is why any suggested schedules are ideal as well. I want to make sure I understand why I am doing whatever it is I do.

You are more likely to get more views and more helpful advice if you would start your own thread instead of adding to the middle of another one--and it makes it much easier for those who respond to avoid confusion. Would you please repose your question, as a new thread, in the pool equipment and operations forum--you should get good feeback there.

Thanks..

Janet

[prh129]

A couple of comments - waste mentioned running the pump long enough to move the equivalent of your pool volume through it once - isn't the conventional wisdom 2x that time?

Henrys514 mentioned letting the pump run for 24 hours after adding CYA - it will take longer than that for the CYA to dissolve so I don't think that running it for 24 hours is necessary (providing that you added the CYA to the skimmer or hang it in a sock).

And the "ideal" timer settings probably depend on your individual circumstances - when do you add chomicals to the pool? you probably want the pump running for at least an hour after you do that - when is it likely that the pool will be used the most? how much sun do you get? are you using a solar heater? does the water get too warm? - The answers to these questions should help you decide when to run your pump. I don't think there is any "wrong way" to do it. I run mine from about 9am to 1pm then 5 to 9:30PM.

Peter

[waste]

Peter, sorry for the confusion - I wasn't recommending a daily pump run time but, rather, the rule of thumb to be ~sure that the chems have mixed sufficiently (as in a case where you want to retest the water). You're right about 2 turnovers being the 'standard' daily run time - Waste