When purchasing a new in-ground swimming pool, you need to determine what size pool pump is required. There is a tendency to purchase a bigger pump than what is necessary because people think bigger is better. However, not only does this lead to higher operating costs, but you may also be overpowering your filter system. As a general rule, you should have a pump that filters all the water in a pool in an eight-hour period. This page will show you how to select a pump that filters all the water in your pool in eight hours.
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gerard esler Posted: 6/29/2019
my pool is 40 x 20 with a L shape step of 5 x 4 the depth is 9 ft. at one end and 3 ft. at the other my best guess on the piping is 12 elbows and 150 ft. run of pipe I need the right size cartridge filter and pump numbers and size for eachReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/9/2019
The Pureline Prime 2.7 HP Variable Speed, and the Star Clear Plus 175 Sq Ft. 2 Inch Ports.Reply
Kirby Posted: 5/27/2019
I have an 18000 gallon kidney shaped pool. With 23 ft of head. What would your recommendation be for the best pump?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/30/2019
As step 10 mentions, the size of the filter is an important thing to know when sizing a pump.Reply
Greg Posted: 5/7/2019
Hello, I have a 22x42 kidney shaped pool, just installed a 72 square DE filter. Have 1.5” lines going to pump what is the best of the best and highest flow variable speed pump i can install ? Can you recommend a top of the line model.?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/8/2019
What is the model number of the pump currently on the pool? This may help us determine if your system is compatible with the higher horsepower variable speeds.Reply
Greg Posted: 5/8/2019
Matt yes it’s a sta rite super max vs 1.5 hpReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/9/2019
In that case, I would go with a similar horsepower variable speed like the PureLine Prime 1.65 HP. The Prime will have enough oomph so that you can run it on lower RPMs for energy savings. If you go with the larger 3-HP variable speeds, there is a danger of cavitation on the higher speeds. So you would basically be paying a bunch of money for speeds you couldn't use.Reply
Ben Posted: 5/7/2019
I have a 27,000 gallon pool with a solar heater. Will I benefit from a VS pump or do I have to run the VS pump on high in order to run water through the solar heater.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/8/2019
The variable speed can still be cost-effective, but just not as much as it would be minus the solar panels. The VS gives you the ability to throttle its motor to the minimal RPMs needed to run your panels. Now, the particular speed required to run your specific pool is not something I could calculate off hand. You may have better luck contacting the manufacturer for that.Reply
Yancy Phillips Posted: 4/25/2019
I have a 1hp single speed pump, 50' of head, 62 GPM sand filter, 27460 gallon pool and 1 1/2" pipes. I want to purchase Pureline variable speed pump. What would you recommend?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/26/2019
Your best pump choice would be the PureLine Prime 2.7 HP Variable Speed Pool Pump - PL2606.Reply
Jerry Posted: 4/25/2019
210000 gals Size of motors 220 volts and pumps needed and have 4 inch piping . 573-883-0859Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/29/2019
It sounds like you have a very large commercial pool. The guidelines mentioned in this article may not all apply to you. I suggest you call our support line 407-834-2200 or email upload@inyopools.com to contact our commercial division.Reply
Jared Posted: 4/24/2019
I have a 16'x32' above ground pool that is 4' deep but does go down to about 6'. I have a 1.5 hp pump now but it seems like it is over powering my pool cleaner. The one it came with was a single hp. Should I go downtown to the single or remain with the 1.5?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/25/2019
Did the cleaner only start to malfunction after installing the new pump? Also, what do you mean it is overpowering the cleaner, can you explain what is happening?Reply
Russell Yarborough Posted: 4/23/2019
Have a 45k pool with a 30 inch sand filter , 2 1/2 piping need to know what size pump there is currently a 1hp on it but there’s no water circulation?????Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 4/24/2019
Hello Russell - We'd recommend the PureLine Prime model PL2606. The PL2606 is a 2.7 variable speed pump.Reply
Carl M Posted: 4/23/2019
I have an in-ground rectangular pool housing approx. between 60,000 - 80,000 litres of water. What size pool pump should I be looking at? Thank you.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/24/2019
Ok, have you read the guide above which covers this topic?Reply
Terin Posted: 4/20/2019
Hello, I have been pouring many hours into trying to determine the best replacement pool pump & motor for my in ground pool. It is a Lazy L estimated at 33,000 Gallons. I calculated my THD a couple different times by utilizing the vacuum and pressure calcs and my THD came out to be between 40.3 and 46. The 2 biggest constraints I see with my system is that I have 120 out at the pool area, and not ready to do an electrical upgrade, and my plumbing is 1.5" PVC. Am I stuck replacing it with the .75 HP Hayward Super Pump that was on it when I bought the house? I am trying to balance turn-over with energy efficiency. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/24/2019
Hello Terin - if you are restricted to 120 volts and 1.5" PVC, you are capped to a 1-1/2 horsepower single speed motors. Dual speed motors above 3/4 HP require 230 volts.A suitable pump would be the Pentair WhisperFlo 1-1/2 HP Energy Efficient.Reply
Jack B. Posted: 4/17/2019
I have a 27' round pool (4' deep) and the filter sits about 3' away on the ground. If I go with a sand filter, what size motor would I need?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 4/17/2019
Hello Jack - We'd recommend a 1.5HP pump and a sand filter that is 19" or larger.Reply
Bob Posted: 3/20/2019
Hello, When running the backwash or waste I need to move water 60 ft from the exit point of the sand filter due to the close proximity of other houses. I have attached piping (I think 2 inch in diameter) that runs from sand filter away from houses at 6 ft. Will the pump burn out faster?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 3/21/2019
No, it will not.Reply
Kevin Posted: 1/30/2019
Hi, possibly a dumb question, but I am unable to find this out using various Google searches or your website. Can you tell me what is the recommended number of pool volumes that should be circulated daily through the filter? I need to start with this volume to figure out pump rates and times of operation. Thanks in advance.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 1/30/2019
Hello Kevin - The goal is to turn the water over once a day. If your pool is 20k gallons, all 20k gallons should run through the filter once a day. In the guide above, steps 1-4 explain how to calculate the water volume of the pool. In step 5 this guide, we have an example of turning over a body of water in 8 hours. The time frame can change but the formula will remain the same.Reply
Hamz Posted: 1/18/2019
I have 20 inch hayward sand filter and 1.5hp pump, each time i try to clean my pool all dirty sand goes back to the pool . Is the pump too powerfull for the filter ? Thank youReply
Linda Sims Posted: 7/8/2019
Make sure after you clean the sand that you turn on the rinse before going back to filterReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 1/21/2019
Hello Hamz - your filter recycling dirty water could be a few things. First, you may have old grimy sand that clumping which causes channels through which dirt can return to your pool. Or there is a broken lateral; these laterals are water collect the water at the bottom of the tank after it filters through the sand.I would try a thorough backwashing and rinse of your filter. Try some clarifier and/or flocculant to help the filter catch the dirt. If the dirt and silt are still present after the treatment, open the filter, remove the sand and check the laterals for cracks.Reply
Robert Posted: 1/10/2019
I am going to build a 10ft.x20ft. pool with a depth of 4ft.what pump and filter would you recommend?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 1/11/2019
Hello Robert - In order to recommend the pump, we'll need to know your total feet of head. Check out our article titled "How Do I Calculate Feet of Head for My Pool".Reply
Doug Posted: 1/3/2019
15000gallons old motor overheating replaced with new still overheating has hot tub that motor is 1.25 old motor and new are . .95 not sure what old motor was . is it possible motor is to smallReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 1/3/2019
Hello Doug - overheating is often a wiring issue, stemming from low voltage. Have you checked the voltage of the pump circuit? For info on how to check the pump motor's voltage: How To Use a Multimeter to Test a Pool Pump Motor - VoltageReply
Gil Posted: 12/10/2018
have 16x32 pool 26,000 gal need to pump..want variable speed what size should i get have 1hp now should i get 1.5 or 3.0 vs no falls or other items on poolReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 12/10/2018
Hello Gil - I'd recommend the PureLine Prime model PL2605. The PL2605 is a 1.65 total HP variable speed pump.Reply
Shawn Posted: 12/9/2018
My father passed away and I'm in charge of getting their old pool running again. It currently has an old Centurion 2HP pump that is leaking on the housing. I was told the pool is a little more than 15,000 and in reading, that seems like too large of a pump. The pool has no water features and does have a spa. I was thinking of stepping down to a 1.5HP pump. What is your opinion?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 12/10/2018
Hello Shawn - It's possible that the pump is oversized. Do you happen to know the total feet of head? We'll need to know that before we can say for sure that you can go with a lower HP. Check out our article titled "How Do I Calculate Feet of Head".Reply
Ken Posted: 11/22/2018
The bearings in my pump are bad. (very loud) when pump is running. The label with all my info on the pump are worn off. I can't tell how many hp this pump is or any other info I need to replace it. My pool is 30'x15' 3' deep in shallow end and 6' deep in the deep end. Any recommendation on what pump I should be looking for. All I know is Marathon is the manufacturer on my pump now. ThanksReply