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Pool Pumps and Filters

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A thrilling dive into a placid pool of water can be cut short by the lack of a proper filtration and pump system. No swimmer wants to jump into water whose smooth surface is marred by dead leaves, drowned insects and floating debris. To keep your swimming pool or hot tub as clean as a glass of drinking water, you’ll need a properly sized pool pump and matching filter.

6 key terms you should know when choosing a pool pump.


If you’ve already begun browsing through pool pumps, you may have noticed a few terms that keep reappearing. These terms are important to know and will help you choose the proper pump and filter for your swimming pool or hot tub.

  1. GPM: GPM stands for Gallons Per Minute. This measurement will tell you how many gallons of water per minute your pump can process.

  2. Flow rate: The flow rate is measured in GPM and specifies the number of gallons your pool pump can process in a certain amount of time, usually minutes.

  3. Head: Head is usually measured in “feet of resistance” or “feet of head.” This measurement tells you how much resistance is created by your hot tub or pool’s plumbing system.

  4. Pool capacity: This number identifies the volume of water that can be found in your pool. See the 2nd step in the section below, “6 measurements to determine the right pool pump size,” to determine your hot tub or pool’s capacity.

  5. Resistance: This measurement tells you how much resistance to the water flow your plumbing system will create.

  6. Turnover: The turnover rate will tell you how quickly or slowly the plumbing system will take to cycle all of the water through your filter. In general, most pools require a turnover of 6 to 8 hours. You should aim to meet or exceed the minimum turnover required for your pool while using as little energy as possible.


4 measurements to determine your pool pump size.


Selecting the right size pump is important. If the turnover isn’t right, you may end up straining the system or costing yourself more than necessary when it comes to energy bills. You’ll need a measuring tape and possibly a calculator to determine these measurements.
* All measurements should be made in feet.

  1. Average depth: (Shallow end depth + deep end depth) / 2

  2. Capacity: The proper equation is determined by your pool’s shape.
    Circular: Diameter x diameter x average depth x 5.9 = capacity in gallons
    Oval: Long diameter x short diameter x average depth x 6.7 = capacity in gallons
    Rectangular: Length x width x average depth x 7.5 = capacity in gallons
    Kidney: (Longest width + shortest width) x length x average pool depth x 3.38 = capacity in gallons

  3. Flow rate: (Capacity in gallons / 8) / 60 = flow rate in GPM

  4. Average feet of head: Identify where your suction lines are and determine the average number of feet from each suction line to where the pool pump will be located.
    Total line length / number of lines = average feet of head


3 types of pool pumps and how to choose the right one for you.


Now that you’ve had your math whiz moment, it’s time to decide what type of pool pump works best for you. The three different types of pumps include:
  • 2-speed: This model operates at a low speed for filtration and a high speed for cleaning. You’ll also need an automatic controller.

  • 4-speed: These tend to be programmable, meaning you can alter the pump speed depending on what needs to be done. This adaptability makes a 4-speed pump a great choice for pools that need a variable rate of flow.

  • Variable-speed: These are your most efficient choice but also tend to be the most expensive. They feature more than 4 speeds and can be programmed to run at the ideal speed for each application.


3 steps to finding your pool filter flow rate.


Choosing the right filter is extremely important. With the wrong filter, your pool’s plumbing system could become damaged, resulting in expensive repairs. If you’ve already calculated your pool’s flow rate, you’re well on your way to determining the right type of filter.
  • Step 1. Find the filter manufacturer’s effective filtration area and design flow rate.

  • Step 2. Multiply the effective filtration area by the design flow rate to determine the filter’s flow rate.

  • Step 3. Compare the filter’s flow rate to the flow rate required by your pool. It’s best to choose a flow rate that’s faster than necessary — especially since the filter’s flow rate will slow down as it’s being used.


The 3 types of pool filters and how you can choose the right one.


Once you’ve found the correct flow rate, choosing a pool filter mainly comes down to price and performance over time. Keep an eye out for the following types of filters:

  1. Cartridge: This style uses a pleated, fabric-like material to remove particles as small as 10 to 20 microns. Cartridge filters can simply be removed and sprayed down with water to clean them. They will, however, need to be replaced every 2 to 5 years. This can add up in cost, but no water or chemicals will be wasted during the cleaning process.

  2. Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Though they’re your most expensive choice, a DE filter is highly efficient and can filter out particles as small as 1 to 3 microns. The filter itself is made from grids filled with diatomaceous earth powder. Along with backwashing the filter to clean it, you must also reapply new diatomaceous earth each time the filter is cleaned.

  3. Sand: The most common type, a sand filter is also the least expensive. Though they perform just as well as cartridge or DE filters, they cannot filter on the same microscopic level as these other two styles. Pool filter sand is a special size —.45 mm to.55 mm — and is able to sift particles that are 20 to 40 microns large. Cleaning the filter is simple. All that’s required is reversing the flow of water to backwash the system. This process does, however, waste water and chemicals.