Whats a recommended schedule for variable speed pump

[carzaddict]

I have a 13k gal in-ground vinyl pool salt water pool with a variable speed pump that hasnt been officially opened and does not have the salt in it yet.

at the moment, the pool installer has scheduled my pump to run at 1800 RPM for 24 hours a day. Im thinking this might be too much, but also should i run it at higher speeds at some point during the day? i have shocked it with a few pounds of chlorine + have chlorine tabs in the skimmer.

question for you:
1) whats an appropriate schedule to run (assuming salt chemicals are in and pool is officially opened)
2) when should i do high speed, low speed, and off?

 

[markayash]

It’s up to you how long you run it. They are not energy hogs like old pumps so going from 1400 to 1800 won’t make a huge cost difference.
If 1800 is too high drop it to around 1200 and then decide if you want to leave it on 24 hours. As long as your skinners are pulling stuff off the top your good.
I run mine 24/7, not required but like the water fall and it helps keep my water clear.

 

[Oly]

List your pool equipment. It appears you will be using a salt water chlorine generator if so then you will need to find the lowest speed that will keep your cell running. Is there a heater if so they need a minimum flow. Watch your skimmer mouth and find the lowest speed that continues to pull debris in. Higher speeds may be needed to prime the pump or polish the surface or run water features or pool cleaning devices.
The tabs in your skimmer can be a problem as they are acidic so be aware. Less of a problem running 24 hours but if the flow stops pull them out.
Do you have a good test kit yet? Test Kits Compared The single best investment for your new pool.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Here's a good article that may help out as well. There's no right answer. I run a total of 8 hours daily, six during the day and two at night. Works for my pool...

Determine Pump Run Time

To figure out how many hours you need to run your pump, you need to know how fast your pump works. You can find this here.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[carzaddict]

List your pool equipment. It appears you will be using a salt water chlorine generator if so then you will need to find the lowest speed that will keep your cell running. Is there a heater if so they need a minimum flow. Watch your skimmer mouth and find the lowest speed that continues to pull debris in. Higher speeds may be needed to prime the pump or polish the surface or run water features or pool cleaning devices.
The tabs in your skimmer can be a problem as they are acidic so be aware. Less of a problem running 24 hours but if the flow stops pull them out.
Do you have a good test kit yet? Test Kits Compared The single best investment for your new pool.

ive got a pentair intellichlor system, with a pentair heater (its all pentair), intelliflo variable speed pump

i have test strips that ive been using at the moment, chlorine is ok, PH and Alkaline are low, added chemicals today

 

[Oly]

Thanks for the info. If you plan on sticking around on TFP plug your pool system info into your signature to assist the volunteers who trouble shoot and provide recommendations.
I recommend you stop using the strips and get a solid titration and turbidity pool water test kit asap. Test Kits Compared Take a look at the ranges provided on the strip color legend and consider the assumptions you are relying on to keep your pool water balanced. There are so many examples here of pool owners who were unaware that their pool and equipment was damaged by mismanagement and neglect. You need a Taylor K-1766 salt test kit also and getting the Speed Stir is smart.

 

[carzaddict]

i think im also wondering if running my pump at low speed for 24/7 is a good idea (to avoid burning the pump out) versus running for a few hours a day at a higher speed?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

i think im also wondering if running my pump at low speed for 24/7 is a good idea (to avoid burning the pump out) versus running for a few hours a day at a higher speed?

Lots of members do this. You may need to ramp up speeds for an hour or two to skim windblown debris.