How To Select Above Ground Pool Pumps

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The pool pump is the heart of your above ground pool; it ensures your water stays healthy by moving it through your filter and chlorinator. Having the wrong pump can mean your pool water will get cloudy, green, and nasty. In this guide, we'll walk you through on how to size your above ground pool pump.
 

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Step 1

Sizing above ground pool pumps is much simpler than their inground counterparts. Above ground pool pumps are generally below the waterline thereby gravity fed, with minimal plumbing between it and its suction ports. The simplicity the pool’s plumbing allows you to size the pump by pool size alone (most times.)

Click Here to View our Above Ground Pool Pumps

Step 2

Round Pools: The chart shows the normal manufacturer pump sizing recommendations for pool sizes. The horsepower overlaps on the “tweener” sized pools 15’ is a small to medium, and 27’ is medium to large.

Ranges:
  • ¾ Horsepower: 8’ to 15’ Round
  • 1 Horsepower: 15’ to 24’ Round
  • 1-1/2 Horsepower: 24’ to 36’ Round

Step 3

Oval Pools: Similar to the round pools, the horsepower recommendations overlap for some models. If your pool falls in one of these overlap areas, then consider how much swimmer traffic you expect. Light to moderately used pools, choose the lower HP, for higher swimmer loads, choose the step up.

Ranges:
  • ¾ Horsepower: 12’ X 17’ to 12’ X 24’
  • 1 Horsepower: 12’ X 24’ to 15’ X 27’
  • 1-1/2 Horsepower: 15’ X 27’ to 18’ X 33’

Step 4

Reasons to step up horsepower: Longer than standard plumbing lines and/or pool accessories may require you to make the jump to the next highest horsepower to ensure proper flow rates. Common causes for larger pumps
  • Suction line from the skimmer to pump is longer than 15-feet
  • You’re planning to use a suction cleaner, e.g. the Hayward Navigator, The Pool Cleaner, and Kreepy Krauly
  • Adding solar panels, especially ones mounted on roofs or fences increase the strain on the pump, requiring extra HP oomph

Click Here to View our Above Ground Pool Pumps

Comments

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(121 to 160 of 630)

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/23/2017 

Anonymous (pool book) - Give us a call at 407-834-2200 and one of our service reps will track that down for you.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 9/22/2017 

Gave you my Email and never got the pool book!!! How to

Thanks!!!
RA

 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/14/2017 

Dozer - For your size pool, I would recommend the Pureline 19" Above Ground Pool Sand Filter System W/ 1 H.P Pump. This pump generally is too large for the standard soft sided pools as indicated in the Q&As, but it should work with the steel framed Coleman pool. You may have to look around for fittings to adapt your input and output tubes to the ports of the pump/filter.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/7/2017 

Hi
We have 22'x 52" Coleman power steel round pool (soft sided)our pump has started leaking, we would like to upgrade to a sand filtration system. Can you make a recommendation for a complete system

Thank you for your time

 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/7/2017 

Kayla - Your pool holds a little less than 8,000 gallons of water. For your size pools, I would suggest replacing it with a small name brand filter/pump system like the Hayward VL Series Sand Filter System or for a few more dollars you could go to a 1 HP pump like the Pureline19" Above Ground Pool Sand Filter System W/ 1 H.P Pump.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/5/2017 

We have a above ground Coleman's power steel 18' × 48' pool and the pump that came with it just isn't doing the job what kind of sand pump do u recommend?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/28/2017 

Nicole - I assume your current pool looks like the one in this link to Coleman pools showing one entry port and two return ports. If so, you could use the existing "T" piping to split the single port on the discharge side of the pump to the two return ports on the pool.
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 Posted: 8/26/2017 

We purchased a 22' Coleman above ground... the filter with the cartridges is now leaking and not working properly, we're in northern Iowa and have decided to look at a sand filter and pump system. All of the filters and pumps only show 2 entry and exit hoses, we have 1 suction hole and 2 jets on our pool. I'm at a loss and I'm desperately in need of some serious help!!!
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/14/2017 

Glenn - Yes, I would recommend upgrading your pump to a 1 1/2 Hp pump. Our 1 HP cutoff point is 24' and below. Note, you may also have to upgrade the filter to handle the increased water flow.
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/14/2017 

Kal - For you size pool, I'd concentrate on getting a better hand vacuum. See our page on "Vacuum Heads". You will need a vacuum head, the pool pole (if you don't have a pool brush) and a vacuum hose that attaches to the bottom of your skimmer. Or if you would like an automatic cleaner, I would suggest something like an "Above Ground Pool Cleaner - PF Vac".
 Reply

 Posted: 8/11/2017 

We have an 28ft above ground with a 1 hp motor. The motor quit working and i need to replace. Should I go to the 1.5 hp recommend in article?
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 Posted: 8/10/2017 

I have 10' easy set pool. The type with the inflateable ring. I believe it holds a little over 1000 gallons. I have been able to maintain the levels fairly well. I can't for the life of me keep the bottom clean though. We have monsoons and the fine dust just settles. I was thinking of getting a better pump/filter. And a better vacuum. Suggestions? There are so many.
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/7/2017 

Free - Pentair sells pumps/filter packages with 2-speed motors. See OptiFlo Pump Clean and Clear Cartridges under Pentair Pump and Filter Systems. You could buy a filter and a 2-speed motor separately but you wouldn't have the common platform to mount them in.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/7/2017 

Solange - For your size pool, I would recommend Waterway's Carefree 16" Sand Filter & 1 HP Single Speed Pump. It is the most economical of the main brand filter/pump systems.
 Reply

 Posted: 8/6/2017 

i have a 12x24 oval above ground pool.approx 10,000 gallons. Currently have a sand filter w/1.5 dual speed pump. Would like to go to a cartridge filter system but not sure which.They all come with single speed pumps.Is that sufficient for vaccuuming? Should I purchase a seperate dual speed? Very confused.Any help is appreciated.
 Reply

 Posted: 8/5/2017 

Looking for s filter pump for a 22000gal pool. Any recommendations?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/27/2017 

sweeten - Unfortunately, if you have one of the pools where the pump hangs off the wall attached to the skimmer, we do not sell a pump that would adapt to that setup. You might try an above ground pool cleaner to clear the debris off the floor better.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/25/2017 

i have an ABOVE GROUND PRO-SERIES POOL 10,000 GALONS . I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO CLEAR UP POOL (LIGHT GREEN WATER). THINKING DO I NEED TO REPLACE THE PUMP? IF SO WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/24/2017 

Dee - Unfortunately, we do not sell motors that attach to the side of the pool. I'd suggest calling the dealer to see if they have replacement motors or maybe a larger replacement motor.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/21/2017 

Chapin - Your 20' x 48" pool contains about 9,000 gallons of water. Most above ground pool packages come with undersized pumps and filters that are inadequate and generally break down in the first season. For your size pool, we would recommend the Pureline PL1511 System with a 19" Above Ground Pool Sand Filter and 1 H.P Pump.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/21/2017 

Dozer - Your 22'x 52" AG pool contains about 12,000 gallons of water. If you are unhappy with the filter results, you probably need to upgrade your pump as well as your filter. For you size pool, we would recommend an economical 1 HP pump system like a Pureline 19" Above Ground Pool Sand Filter System W/ 1 H.P Pump.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/20/2017 

This article was very helpful in understanding the different types of filters!

I have an above ground 14'x42" round pool. Unfortunately some reason storms have left a layer of dirt/dust over the entire bottom of the pool. I have shocked it and spend HOURS vacuuming with the vacuum that came with the pool. But all it does is kick the dust up into the water making it look like lake water, and now it's starting to turn green.

What I have noticed is that the suction in the vacuum seems to be too weak to do much of anything, and personally I think the vacuum head is poorly designed. I went ahead and bought a better cleaning kit on Amazon, but I fear that unless I get better suction that won't do much good.

So I am considering getting a new pump, but have literally NO idea what to even start looking for. My current pump, the one that came with the pool, is attached to the side of the pool (it doesn't sit on the ground). So I would have to find one with the same set up otherwise I will have a gaping hole in the side of the pool. My current pump also doesn't have any kind of waste line or ability to back wash (or if it does I have no idea how to do it). Basically I just remove the cartridge filter every few days or so, or before and after vacuuming and use the hose to clean it out.

Is there any hope for my pool or am I out of luck?

 Reply

 Posted: 7/19/2017 

We have a 20 X 48 above ground pool, it. Amen with a sand pump/filter is big enough that came with it
Can't get the water cleared up. Wondering if the sand pump/filter is big enough. What would you recommend?

 Reply

 Posted: 7/18/2017 

We bought a Coleman 22'x 52" round pool what sand filter do you recommend, what came with the pool seems inadequate
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/18/2017 

Etruhn - Generally, sand filters are not compatible with Bestway pools. However, you should be able to find adaptable fittings in a local hardware store.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/18/2017 

Ida - for your approx 14,000 gallon pool, I'd recommend this 19" Above Ground Pool Sand Filter System W/ 1 H.P Pump.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/17/2017 

TCUYLER - For your size pool, ~7,000 gallons, I would recommend a Hayward VL Series Sand Filter System.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/16/2017 

Are the sand filters compatible with Bestway pools? 22ft round x 52 in. Do they have universal attachments?
 Reply

 Posted: 7/16/2017 

I have a 15x25 above ground pool recommendations for a pump and filter
 Reply

 Posted: 7/13/2017 

I HAVE A SUMMER BREEZE ROUND ABOVE GROUND 17X52. i AM WANTING TO UPGRADE THE PUMP. WHICH DO YOU RECOMMEND?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/7/2017 

Etruhn - Generally, the pumps/filters that come with these pools are too small to handle the volume of water in your pool. They don't circulate or filter the water adequately. For your size pool, we recommend a 1 HP pump/filter set like Waterway's Carefree 16" Sand Filter & 1 HP Single Speed Pump.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/7/2017 

Tracey - Yes, you need a pump/filter to circulate the water and to filter out the contaminates.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/5/2017 

Bought a Bestway 22ft round x 52in deep pool. It came with
a pump but having problems with cloudy green water. I was told
told maybe I need a better pump than what came with pool? I

 Reply

 Posted: 7/4/2017 

Hiya. Habe bought an 8ft Bestway Fastset pool. Have bought a little floating plastic thingy that holds a chlorine tablet — do I even need a pump?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/1/2017 

Adam - Your pools contains about 17,000 gallons of water. For that size pool, I would recommend a Waterway Carefree 19" Sand Filter & 1.5 HP 1Spd Pump.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/1/2017 

Larry - Yes, as long as the sand filter is large enough to handle the pump's 2500 GPH (42 GPM) water flow. Without the cartridge inserted, the cartridge filter will act as a flow through pipe. I’m assuming that you cannot easily redirect the pump output hose to the sand filter and take the cartridge filter out.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/1/2017 

Kazzy - Your pool contains about 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of water depending on pool depth. For you size pool, I would recommend a Hayward VL Series Sand Filter System. To reduce the metal in your pool, you should use something like Natural Chemistry METAL FREE 1L. Be sure to read the comments at the end of the page for tips on use.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/30/2017 

I have a 27' round pool 52 or 54" deep how big of a sand pump would I need
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/30/2017 

Anonymous (16'x32'pool) - Your pools contains 16,000 to 17,000 gallons of water depending on its depth. For that size pool, I would recommend a Carefree 19" Sand Filter & 1.5 HP 1Spd Pump. With a larger upgraded pump, you would have to buy a larger filter to match the capacity of the pump.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/30/2017 

I just bought 26x52 round intex comes with 2500 gph cartridge filter pump I have a sand filter but pump burnt out end of last season can I use this 2500 gph pump without cartridfge in it with my sand filter
 Reply