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Thread: Pump too big for pool, read some posts on reducing flow with ball valve

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    Default Re: Pump too big for pool, read some posts on reducing flow with ball valve

    Nicole,

    Before you go out and spend money on a pump replacement, is your pump and filter a matched unit? Some of Astral pool products are and they do have a matched unit of a 1.5 HP pump and 150 lbs filter so I suspect that it is a matched unit. If so, it would seem unlikely that they would pair a pump with a filter that would cause damage. So you may not need to replace the pump.

    Also, is this for an above ground pool? What is your pressure guage on the filter currently reading? From this you can determine the feet of head your current pump is experiencing and then more accurately calculate the GPM.

    If you do decide on a new pump, with 7500 gallons, you need only need 16 GPM for an 8 hour turnover. Not much at all. You could use the smallest pump available (1/2 HP) or better yet a two speed pump and operate on low speed most of the time. Even most 1/2 HP pumps will provide more than 40 GPM between 45-65 feet of head so it may be better to go with a two speed pump.
    Mark
    Hydraulics 101; Pump Ed 101; Pump/Pool Spreadsheets; Pump Run Time Study; DIY Acid Dosing; DIY Cover Roller
    18'x36' 20k plaster, MaxFlo SP2303VSP, Aqualogic PS8 SWCG, 420 sq-ft Cartridge, Solar, 6 jet spa, 1 HP jet pump, 400k BTU NG Heater

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    Default Re: Pump too big for pool, read some posts on reducing flow with ball valve

    Why don't you just plumb in a by-pass around the filter and heater so you can divert some of the flow? You can use a ball valve to control how much water is diverted. This will allow you to lower the pressure and gpm through the filter for minimum expense while keeping a good supply of water at the pump inlet. Sorry if someone mentioned this already.

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    Default Re: Pump too big for pool, read some posts on reducing flow with ball valve

    We bought our pool package online from a pool place 4 years ago. Just checked the website last night and they are still selling the same pump with filter. From the packaging I think it was a set because everything came in the same box and they sit on the same housing.

    It is an above ground pool. The pressure gauge is reading 16psi.

    Don't have a heater just a filter and pump. Not sure what you mean by a by-pass. Could you clarify more?

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    mas985's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pump too big for pool, read some posts on reducing flow with ball valve

    Niclole, from what you have said, you probably have 45-50 feet of head and with an above ground pool pump, they are usually med-low head pumps, I doubt very much you are moving more than the filter can handle. I cannot find the head curve for your pump but I would be surprised if it exceeded 60 GPM.

    I think you should verify you definitly have a problem before trying to fix it.
    Last edited by mas985; 06-29-2006 at 06:42 PM.
    Mark
    Hydraulics 101; Pump Ed 101; Pump/Pool Spreadsheets; Pump Run Time Study; DIY Acid Dosing; DIY Cover Roller
    18'x36' 20k plaster, MaxFlo SP2303VSP, Aqualogic PS8 SWCG, 420 sq-ft Cartridge, Solar, 6 jet spa, 1 HP jet pump, 400k BTU NG Heater

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