Pentair Pump/Filter match for replacing Hayward

[simsjim]

Hello All:

I did a search but couldn’t find any results that answered my question.

I am in the market to replace my old Hayward 3/4 hp Superpump and Hayward SandMaster 18" TopMount sand filter. For performance reasons as well as ease of installation, I am considering the Pentair 1 HP SuperFlo Pump (single speed 115v) matched with a Pentair SandDollar SD40 (19") sand filter with a 40 gpm max rate (150# of sand).

Here are some additional spex:
Pool Basics: 12K gal IG vinyl liner rectangle pool - no spa.
Model: old "Sylvan Vacationer"
Plumbing: 1.5" dia flex pvc
Head: ~ 60 ft (equip pad is on an uphill grade from the pool, and quite a distance away.)
Suction: 2 skimmers on the same wall, and a main drain - the main drain was added last year
Pressure: two outlets at opposite ends of the same wall with the skimmers

With my current config, I get little to no suction at the drain, and the skimmers don’t seem to "pull in" floating surface debris very well. Additionally, when I vacuum, my PSI in the filter goes down to around 5psi, where normally it is operating btn 10-14 PSI. Finally, when priming on start-up, it takes upwards of 7 minutes for water to reach the pump.

My question is, given the high amount of head, excessive priming time, and additional suction inlet (the main drain), do you think the SuperFlo 1 HP is a good choice for the pool? Do you think it's too big for a 19" sand filter? Will it cause channeling? Should I consider the SD60, which is 22.5" and has a 60 gpm max capacity?

I am pretty sure I want to bump up to 1 HP, since I added a main drain, but never changed pumps to compensate for the additional head. Also, the 3/4 hp was barely getting the job done before the addition of the main drain, especially when coupled with that Hayward SandMaster 18" filter, which is really marketed for AG pools.

Am I really off the mark in thinking about a 1 hp pump? Is my coupling a 1 hp pump with a 19" filter an acceptable config, in light of the amount of head?

Would it be better to go with 1 hp pump and a 22.5 " 200# filter? Should I stick with 3/4 HP and go with a smaller filter?

My goals are to decrease my priming time, decrease turnover time, and increase the ability of the skimmers and drian to capture debis (i.e. keep the pool clean).

Its only March, there's snow in my yard.....but the early bird........

Any advice or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks