Algae and pump run time

[Dodger]

The "Determine Pump Run Time" article in Pool School says that pump run time will not prevent algae. But does this also mean there is not a too-low pump run time that will lead to an algae outbreak? I have good CYA/FC levels for my SWG water (CYA 70 / FC between 5-7ppm), and my overnight chlorine loss test passes (last tested 2 wks ago with a loss of 0.5ppm).

As long as I am able to produce (and circulate) enough chlorine by increasing the SWG output setting and then going to liquid when the water temp drops to the point the SWG doesn't produce, should I be okay as far as algae goes? Is it right that the only other things to worry about would be skimming and floor cleaning? I would plan to manually maintain the necessary level of cleanliness to keep the organics (algae food) to a minimum. I don't get a ton of leaves, so this seems do-able.

Thanks!

 

[jblizzle]

Generally, you only need a couple of hours of circulation to keep the chemistry adequately circulated.
However, other factors may drive your run time up. Examples: running skimmer longer due to debris load, generating adequate FC, solar heating, running pool cleaner to keep debris off floor, etc

You can keep a pool void of algae with 0 pump run time. There are a few members (myself included) who have had our pumps die (for me in the AZ summer) and I did not get any algae by just keeping the FC levels correct and mixing via brushing.

 

[Dodger]

Thanks Jason. So I will slowly drop my run time and keep adjusting my SWG upward to maintain adequate FC. I recently dropped from 10 hrs @ 20% to 9 hrs and then 8 hrs @ 25%, so it seems like there is a lot of room on the Chlorine production side, at least while the temp stays above 55-60. Maybe I'll drop an hour's run time every 4 or 5 days, while keeping an eye on skimming needs and floor cleaning needs. If I could get to 4 hrs run time, I would feel like stealing. The TFP chemistry is awesome!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dodger,

You have a 1.5 HP VS pump... so if electrical costs are an issue for you, you must be running that pump at full rpm...

I can run my 3 HP IntelliFlo at 1,200 rpm, 24/7 for way less than $20 bucks a month, so I can't see how you can save much money by reducing your run time.

I'm not saying you should run your pump 24/7, I'm saying that the numbers do not seem to add up for any great money savings...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Dodger]

Thanks Jim, that is a helpful reference to your usage. My normal pump speed has been 2200-2400rpm, but I ran at almost max speed (3350rpm) a lot of hours this summer while tuning up the in-floor system. Plus, I ran quite a few 24/7 bouts for chemical mixing after our June remodel was completed. So it's likely that this summer's usage was not a typical reference point for the future.

Anyway, fine tuning the pump parameters for both winter and summer is my next project in getting to know my pool better. First step is to lose the pool-store advice about longer pump times for cleaner water!