Sizing a new pump and cartridge filter

[doggonepool]

I'm finally really really ready to refurb all my pool equipment. Sand filter into cartridge filter, single speed pump into variable, add swg ozone uv (my pool is in a dirty environment).

I think I've largely settled on just buying the biggest cartridge filter they make even though it will support a lot more gpm than my plumbing does.

But I'm running into trouble selecting a pump for my 25-30k in ground concrete pool.

My pool, built in the 70s, is Incredibly badly plumbed:
- 3 returns via 3/4" pvc elbows, mudded in, hypothetically 1.5" pvc under the concrete/ground. I'm good enough with concrete I could try to upgrade these to modern outlets.
- Floor drain and 1 skimmer both attached to the same 1.5" pvc line (could possibly separate the skimmer or maybe add a second one but that's a fairly big job)
- Large wide shallow waterfall feature
- All above ground plumbing will be upsized to 2" on refurb but the in ground stuff is hard.
- old dead spa feature

As a bonus, I have no load center and relatively little power at the pad (20 amp, 12-3; separate 15 amp, 12-2 nearby services currently unused pool lights will use after I go to LED). A pump which would leave some power on the table or act as a load center for the SWG/Ozone/UV would help with my power issue.

So I'm struggling. Based on volume and debris, I probably want a bigger pump and filter. But realistically, my system can't handle more than 45 gpm (maybe build for 75 gpm but still). My TDH I don't know but online seems to say 50 TDH. If I look at pump curves, the conclusion seems to be that I need to run pretty high speed at meet 50 TDH but I know lots of people on this forum are running low speed low head low volume.

Help. My wallet is open but I definitely don't want to buy the wrong stuff especially a pump that will be inefficient for my size.


I'm primarily asking about sizing my pump and filter but Rear an aside, I'm currently thinking of:
- Waterway 525 sf 4 cartridge filter
- Waterway 140 or 270 defender variable speed pump
- DEL Ozone/uv
- SWG TBD (suggestions welcomed)
- No heater for now but I'm going to see i I can revive my old solar heating panels.

I know folks here are Pentair fans but I don't like the closed automation eco system so I've been leaning towards other brands. Of course, if I'm just going to run the system 24/7 at low speed maybe it doesn't matter

Thanks a bunch in advance. These questions were too technical for the pool equipment vendor.

 

[mknauss]

If this is an indoor pool or one that is covered all the time with a solid cover, then the UV device may be necessary. Otherwise no need to add UV and Ozone. They simply consume chlorine. Will do nothing for an outdoor pool.

Get a 3 hp VS pump and ignore TDH. Will be of no concern with a typical pool. Get the largest SF filter you can afford and fit on your equipment pad.

If you are not concerned about automation get a Circupool RJ series SWCG. The RJ60 would be good with your system.

Be sure to have a way for the power to be removed from the SWCG system when the pump is not running.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dog,

In the old days of single speed pumps and sand, and DE filters, it was important to try to select the right combination of equipment for your pool.

Today, you just buy a large VS pump, and a large cartridge filter, and a SWCG that is at least 2 x the volume of your pool and you are done.. Pool size, pipe size, just no longer matters...

Instead of matching the equipment to the pool, you just adjust the equipment to match your pool.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[doggonepool]

Okay! Thanks for the pump dynamics advice!