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Your Advice on Pipe, Pump and Filter size

17 years ago

Last week we had a meeting with the PB to address some questions about our up-coming pool. I could not make the meeting so my wife went with our list of questions.

Let me say up front that I donÂt think I know more than the pool builderÂbut being on this list for a few years now, I really respect the advise IÂve read here and I really need to hear your advice on three concerns I have about pipe size and pool pump and filter.

The pool will be a Trilogy Fiberglass, 15x34 x 5Â6" deep, 8900gal.

He said he will use 1 Â½" PVC with a Hayward Power Flo 115V pump with the Pentair Clean & Clear CC 50 cartridge filter. Reading what others have done on this list, it seems that most get 2" PVC. And that pump he suggested is a pump for an above ground pool???Âis not a 220V pump the way to go. I wanted the Pentair WisperFlo 1HP 220V and he told my wife I did not need it for the size pool I was getting.

So, what he recommends:

1- 1 Â½ PVC

2- Hayward Power Flo 1hp 115V Pump

3- Pentair Clean & Clear CC 50 cartridge filter

I was thinking:

1- 2" PVC

2- Pentair WisperFlo 1HP 220V

3- Pentair Clean & Clear Plus CCP 240 cartridge filter

This EQ he spec'ed comes with the price he quoted. If what he is recommending will work...fine, but if it is better to go with the other stuff, please let me know. I'll pay the extra if it's the best way to go. We Need your thoughts and advice,

Regards,

Harry

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Comments (7)

golfgeek
17 years ago
Harryc,
If you are going to use a 1 HP pump you should use 2" plumbing, 220V, and a larger filter. You could use a 1/2 HP pump, 220V, with 1 1/2" plumbing and I would still use a larger filter. Maintenance is much easier with a large capacity filter. I like Sta-rite equipment and I would use their System 3 Mod 300 filter as a comparison.
What type of cleaner are you getting?
harryc
Original Author
17 years ago
Cleaner is a Pentair Legend II
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poolexpert
17 years ago
I agree with Golf Geek.The larger filter is a good idea. The smaller pump is fine. On a pool only the smaller pump is preferrable so you can run it longer and get more time to skimm the surface and circulate chemicals.
caltropic
17 years ago
I wasn't going to say anything because the advice you got is good, BUT.. any builder that would sell you a pool with a 115volt pump is seriously not into doing you anything useful.

You will be paying more to run you 1 1/2 hp pump at 115 volts that you will pay to run the 220 2 hp pump. this is well known in the industry and i would be now wanting to know why the PB doesn't know this (or doesn't care) and what else does he not know? For a pool only with no solar i would think about some 2 1/2" suction and 2" return manifold with a high efficiency 1 hp pump (220 volt only), if you wanted you could go two speed 1 1/2, or even a variable speed for a lot more money. this along with the biggest filter you can get will do you a lot of good in the way of energy conservation and ease of maint. (you wont always be cleaning a filter) I have never built a pool with a 50 foot cartridge filter. heck I wouldn't even put that on a spa only. Mine has a 100 and I am thinking that I will up that eventually too. just my two bits.
Rack Etear
17 years ago
Actually the above information is incorrect.

When talking full rate pumps, none of the major manufacturers have a 1.5 hp 115V pump. 1.0 is the largest full rate that is convertable.

As far as conserving energy goes there is no difference. You pay for your electricity by kilowatts. A SQ1102 1.0hp motor takes 9.6 amps at 230V Which is 2208 watts or 2.2KW. The same motor at 115V consumes 19.2 Amps and consumes the same 2.2 KW. The formula is Amps X Volts = Watts. The advantage of using a 230V motor is that you can use smaller wiring to go into the pump. At 19.2 amps you should have a #10 wire and a 25A or 30A Breaker. At 230V you can use a #14 and a 15 amp, or the more commonly used #12 230V.

There is no need to put a 2 1/2" suction on a 1hp pump, especially not when you have a dedicated main drain and skimmer line.

Getting back the original question, you are on the right path, but there is no reason that you need even a 1hp pump. To get a 6 hour turnover (overkill for residential) you need to move 24GPM. A 1/2 hp whisperflo should almost do double that.

A 220sqft should be seriously overkill as it is for a pool of this size. You can always go larger, but I feel in 8900 gallons of water you would be wasting money.

Godspeed on your new project.

You will really like the whisperflo. I used a be a sta-rite fanatic, untill I started installing them. My only compliant is that they tend to need less service than the sta-rites.
harryc
Original Author
17 years ago
Racket, thanks for the info..So using a Pentair 230V will run cooler than 115V..maybe last longer?? Will it run more quietly?? Also I understand the 1 1/2 PVC will be fine?
Thanks again...Harry
Rack Etear
17 years ago
I woudlnt use 1 1/2" on anything.

The motor should run at the same temperature since it is consuming the same wattage.

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