New pump for waterfalls

Mr. White

Member
Jun 20, 2022
7
Sacramento, CA
Pool Size
15000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hi All,

I have an old 2hp single speed pump that is only used for the waterfall features in my pool. The pump is very loud and I would like to replace it. Do I need to replace it with another 2hp pump? Is there a way I can determine what pump I should use?

Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20220606_180729404.jpg
    PXL_20220606_180729404.jpg
    353.7 KB · Views: 15
  • PXL_20220606_180742455.jpg
    PXL_20220606_180742455.jpg
    383.2 KB · Views: 14
  • PXL_20220606_180748794.MP.jpg
    PXL_20220606_180748794.MP.jpg
    283.5 KB · Views: 13
According to the DOE regulations that went into effect July 19, 2021, you need to replace it with a VSP. California law was application specific, requiring them on residential circulation/filtration pumps only. Federal law has no such restriction.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mknauss
Hi All,

I have an old 2hp single speed pump that is only used for the waterfall features in my pool. The pump is very loud and I would like to replace it. Do I need to replace it with another 2hp pump? Is there a way I can determine what pump I should use?

Thanks!
Is it the pump or the motor that is loud? It may just be the bearings. You may be able to just replace the motor.

Since this is a water feature pump only, not sure that you need VS pump, but CA laws may be different for those requirements.
 
Typically water falls should have a dedicated pump that is low head high volume. A Water Feature pump I believe is OK as it is half speed of the typical self priming pool pump.

You should research if you can use a feature pump .
 
Typically water falls should have a dedicated pump that is low head high volume. A Water Feature pump I believe is OK as it is half speed of the typical self priming pool pump.

You should research if you can use a feature pump .
A true waterfall pump (1800rpm or less) does not fall under the DOE requirements for variable speeds. Not easy to find.
 
How much flow do you need?

What type of waterfall?

How wide each?

What size is the suction plumbing?

A waterfall can take anywhere from 10 GPM to 1,000 GPM.
I don't know how much flow I need.

They are basically 2" PVC piped into a rock "wall". The wall has 3 small reservoirs where the pipe exits, the reservoirs fill up and overflow down the rocks into the pool.

All pipe is 2"

TY!
 




The Intelliflo is a good choice because you can control the amount of flow.


 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
For a pleasant effect, most waterfalls need about 30 - 50gpm. A true waterfall pump can do that easily for your 3 falls. They are low head/high flow pumps. A VSP will let you dial in just the right amount, depends on what you want to spend. Much more and the sound gets very loud and there is a lot more water waste.

A few years ago I "downsized" a 1.5hp to .5hp. The owner couldn't have a conversation in the spa with the larger pump. He said the sound now almost puts them to sleep.
 
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.