same old dirt

[CarlD]

I don't know. but if you know the GPM of the pump you can get a rough estimate. I'm guessing you have around 3,300 gallons (assuming 4' deep).

With that, and, for example Hayward's SMALLEST above ground pump (1/2 hp--120volt) you could turn over your pool in as little as 1 hour! Worst case scenario it could take 3 1/2 hours. Considering turnover in a large of 8 hours is consider normal, that's pretty darn good.

So that's where you can start.

[PBLsQuad450]

Hey MJA,
I am also a local. About 10 miles as the crow flies across the bay in NJ. I run a 1hp pump on a 33,000 gallon IG pool. Just replaced my 11 year old Hayward pump motor. That job was hot and heavy, literally. Anyway, you could be pulling it in and blowing it through, over and over. Wait 'till you deal with dead algae with a sand filter. PITA! Easy enough to fix though. Just vac to waste next time. Even with only a few minutes you will be able to get the dirt out and skip the filter altogether. If it re-apears, it is not a pump motor filter ratio issue it is just a "this is what is in the air here" issue. I get that a lot early season and dry weather. Later, for no explainable reason it stops? But the other stuff starts up, helicopters, Wisteria pods, you name it. The folks here are a resource you should appreciate completely, and I do not over-state this. Been care-taker of a pool, on and off for a combined 3 decades. Until PF I still thought pool stores had a use other than parts.

[polyvue]

The advice provided regarding pump size for your ~3400 gallon pool is very good. I would also like to suggest that a 40 sq ft cartridge filter is somewhat small -- not unusual when purchasing standard equipment for a small above-ground pool. If you have opportunity and desire to upgrade your cartridge filter, look for one that is in the neighborhood of 100 sq ft; that's a better match for your gallons/area and you'll find that you don't have to clean it as often. Of course, just replacing the filter media (cartridge) may help with your problem.