Running pump at night?

[AnnaK]

We get reduced rates between 21:00 and 09:00 and all weekend, from 21:00 Friday to 09:00 Monday. I run my pump for 8 hrs at night. I also turn it on for an hour after the dogs have been swimming to collect the hair off the surface. On weekends I do the vacuuming and backwashing.

My pump is a 2-speed and runs on low at night. I only use the high setting when I do maintenance.

How long to run it? Honest answer? I don't know It depends on so many factors. I once tried to figure out how long it takes for one complete turn-over of water in my pool and it so boggled my mind that I gave up.

I'm very precise in my response to water test results, i.e., adding the appropriate chemicals in proper amounts. As to how long to run the pump I go by how the water and the pool bottom looks. The 8 hours are enough for my system to skim everything off the surface and circulate/filter the water sufficiently to keep algae from growing and dirt from collecting.

I think it's one of those YMMV things.

Anna

[Phillbo]

I'm on the same type plan as mentioned above and have a salt system as well. I run 9PM - 12:30PM and the again from 5AM - 9AM. with good results. If I did not have the salt system and need the time to generate chlorine I would run a couple hours less since I'm currently turning over the pool a lot more than necessary.