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What Size Filter For My Pool

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Buy The Pump Separately

What Size Pool Filter Do I Need?

You need to buy your pool pump separately from your sand filter if you are going bigger. Most of the times, you can do more damage if the pump has more power than the sand filter. But you might want the sand filter section which comes with a significant and powerful pump. You need to buy them separately and connect through the piping to have the better of the two worlds.

Calculate The Maximum Flow Rate

The maximum flow rate is the highest water flow your pool plumbing system, and other equipment can support. If you bought a pump with a higher GPM than your pool, you risk bursting the system and wasting your electricity.

If you bought an above-ground pool, the maximum flow rates would be in the documentation. The same applies to pool equipment.

But if you built the swimming pool from scratch or if these details arent available, here is how to estimate your systems maximum flow rate:

a) Plumbing

The best place to start is at the pool plumbing and work your way to the pool filter and other equipment you may have along with the pool filtration and circulation.

You want to make sure the pool pump you use doesnt blow out your system. And the maximum flow rate of the pool plumbing will depend on the pipe size used. Thats why its a must that the system be labeled clearly.

If the contractor forgot to label, make a call. You can also the following standard values used in pool plumbing.

Pipe Size
2.5 120

But remember, the plumbing system in your swimming pool might be different in size. Some pipes might be smaller or bigger than your samples. So, while estimating its maximum flow rate, take the smallest value you get. It will help you avoid the risk of damaging the system.

b) Pool Filter

Itd be best to stay under the filters maximum flow rate as going overboard can damage it. Below is a breakdown of the various pool filter flow rates:

Surface Area

Find The Perfect Pump

Youve done the hard part, all the calculations to determine exactly what size pool pump will filter your pools water in a day. But before you run off to the store, lets talk about a couple of other considerations you should think about.

For example, you have three speed choices for your pump. They are:

  • Single-speed pumps. When pool pumps were first invented, they were all single speed. Some states, like California and Arizona, dont allow them anymore because they use so much energy.
  • Dual-speed pumps. These pumps have two speeds: low and high. The high-speed setting is equivalent to a single-speed pump, while the low speed is much less. Depending on the size of your pool, the low speed may not be enough to turn over the water in your pool within a day.
  • Variable speed pumps. These pumps are more energy-efficient because they use a magnet motor as opposed to the induction motors the other two types use. Magnet motors produce less friction, which increases efficiency. Theyre also quieter than the other types. You will pay more for a variable speed pump, but save in the long run.

Did You Know?

You will hear about horsepower when you go to purchase a pump, but just because a pump has more horsepower, that doesnt mean its the right pump for your pool. You need to ensure that the pump will work well with your filter. If the pump is too strong, it can overwhelm the filter, making for an ineffective filtration system.

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Hayward C4001575xes Easyclear Filter

From a trusted name in the pool industry comes the Micro StarClear. This little Hayward filter is just right for above ground pools under 24,000 gallons. It offers easy access to the cartridge for changes, and you can rotate the head so the pressure gauge and manual air relief valve are right where you need them.

Intex 28633eg Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump

How to Size a Pool Filter

If youre an Intex owner looking for a cartridge filter, this is for you. Unlike other options, this filter uses disposable cartridges. Maintenance is as convenient as turning the handy flush valve and popping in a new cartridge.

At the end of the season, dismantle and store it with your pool. If your weather is mild, its double-walled construction means you can just leave it up with no worries.

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How Does Sand Filter Work

Typically, the pool pump pushes water inside the filter tank. The water passes through the tiny sand particles. During the process, the sand filters out the debris in the water up to 20 microns. The water is then returned to the pool while clean. Its that simple.

After some days, the sand in the tank will require backwashing to remove any sand which might have been pushed into the pipes and clean the sand itself.

Sand filters are quite famous and favorite to many since they are affordable, easy to maintain, and durable.

As you might have noticed, choosing the right size sand filter isnt an entirely straightforward task. There are two or three things that will help you determine the size of your above-ground pool sand filter. One is the size of your pool pump, and the next is the capacity of your swimming pool.

Why does the size make a difference? With the wrong sizing, you can end up buying a too big or too small sand filter. A too big sand filter can be an expensive mistake or even worst, over-power your pools filtration system.

A too-small model might, on the other hand, lack the power for optimal filtration. That means a small sand filter wont get the filtration job done. It wont have the ability to handle the amount of unwanted debris and contaminants present in your large pool. With such a sand filter, you will need to backwash it frequently.

Calculate The Flow Rate

Flow rate how many litres the pump moves per minute . This is calculated using both the pools volume and turnover time.

Turnover time is the time it takes for a volume of water equivalent to that of the pool contents to make one pass through the circulation system.

The following turnover time is accepted in the pool industry under residential pools.

– Indoor Pools – 4 hours

– Outdoor Pools – 6 hours

So lets say you have an indoor 56,000 litres pool and a pump that has a turnover time of 4 hours, you can then work out the flow rate of your pump. For example:

Turnover time = 4 hours x 60 minutes = 240 minutes

Flow rate = Divide the volume by the turnover time = 230 litres per minute.

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How To Select The Right Filter Type And Size For Inground And Above Ground Pool

Swimming pool filter cleans your water by removing debris and dead bacteria that might get into your pool and make your water dirty and cloudy.

Wether for residential or commercial pool, inground or above ground pool, there are three types of swimming pool filters and to know which is best for you, you have to know a few things including right size pool filter, how they work, how to maintain each, how efficient they are and their prices.

To set-up a filter in above ground swimming pool, you will use special strong hose pipes to connect filter to the pool to let water in via return jets, and a hose to connect pump to the pool to draw water from the pool.

Backwash Or Bump Cleaning

Choosing The Correct Size Sand Filter For Your Pool, Things To Consider

Like sand filters, a pressure gauge on the tank will let you know when its time to clean your D.E. filter. Typically, D.E. filters are backwashed just like sand filters. Some brands feature a bump handle, which lets you knock the used D.E. off the grids or fingers to clean.

Whether you backwash or bump the filter, youll need to add more D.E. powder after every cleaning. It can be difficult to determine exactly how much to add, so its especially important to disassemble and clean the filter by hand at least once a year.

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Diatomaceous Earth Pool Filter

Diatomaceous earth filters are capable of filtering particles as small as 2 to 3 microns, providing the cleanest, clearest water of all three types of pool filters. However, DE filters are more expensive and require the most maintenance of the three pool filter options.

First and foremost, what is diatomaceous earth? It’s a white powdery substance made from the crushed fossils of aquatic organisms called diatoms, often referred to as “water polishers” because they leave pool water sparkling clean. DE pool filter tanks contain several grids coated with diatomaceous earth. The diatoms act just like a sponge water can pass through, but microscopic impurities like dirt, algae, and some forms of bacteria can’t.

Similar to sand filters, a pressure gauge on the tank lets you know when it’s time to backwash. Be aware, some locations may have regulations that specify how to legally dispose of used DE. Further cleaning of the grids may be necessary each year to help your pool filter operate more efficiently and last longer. In this case, you would remove the grids from the filter tank and hose off excess dirt before soaking them in a filter cleaning solution to remove body oils, suntan lotions, organic materials and minerals. After every cleaning, you’ll need to add more DE powder. Instead of adding the DE powder to the grids, you’ll get better results by adding it through your pool’s skimmer.

Limit The Filter Rate And Adjust The Filter Area

Filter rates on pools are regulated in many locations. The National Sanitation Foundation sets maximum filter rates to ensure effective filtration because the faster the water passes through the medium, the less effectively it is cleaned.

Filter rate ceilings are imposed most often for commercial facilities. If this is the case where you live, you may have to compensate by selecting a model with a larger filter area. By doing so, you can achieve the same flow rate without exceeding the maximum filter rate.

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Video Answer: How Do I Choose The Right Size Pump And Filter For My Above Ground Pool

  • The sand filter is the most common type of filter found on swimming pools. It is usually installed because of the ease of use. Not because it is the best at filtering water. It actually is the worst at filtering particles from your pool water.

50m in length, 25m wide.

How To Select The Best Pool Filter

How to Select The Best Pool Filter

Pool filters are as important to your pool as your kidneys are to your own body. We know that sounds kind of gross, but its true. Though chlorine and other sanitizers work to kill bacteria and other contaminants, the filter is what actually removes them from the water. Without it, your pool water would grow cloudy and fill with debris. Not exactly fun for swimming.

So how do you choose the best one? Its not about which one is the least expensive, though cost is certainly a factor. You want a filter that will trap contaminants, be easy to clean and maintain, and last more than just a few seasons. In order to make the best selection for your pool, first get a handle on your options.

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Cancer Risk With De Filters

Though D.E. is a known carcinogen, it has only proved cancer-causing in mice when inhaled long term.

Important: Safety first. Prevent accidental inhalation by wearing a chemical mask when you handle D.E. powder. Also, keep children and pets away from the area when youre working with D.E. powder, and from the area where its stored. Immediately clean up any spilled powder.

  • Filters contaminants as small as 5 microns
  • D.E. powder can be added through the pool skimmer
  • No caustic chemicals are required for cleaning

Adjust The Filter Area And Rate

Pool Filter Rate may be regulated in certain locations. Maximum filter rates are set by the National Sanitation Foundation to ensure effective and efficient filtration. Filter Rate regulations are typically imposed with commercial pool installations, but you can compensate by selecting a filter with a larger filter area.

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Video Answer: Pool Filter Comparison Filter Types

  • How to replace a swimming pool cartridge filter is very easy. First be sure your filter has about 2000 filter hours on it. Do not count “swimming seasons” or “years”. It must be filter hours. The pleats can get worn down. Filbur & Unicel make great replacement cartridges. This model was Unicel.

No matter what kind of filter you have, it only works if water moves through it. That’s how the filter is able to capture debris and bacteria. To keep all the water in the pool clean and clear, it must run through the filter system at least once a day. This is called the turnover rate.

  • Another rule of thumb is to buy 1.5 sq ft of filter area per 10,000 gallons of pool water. The 3.1 sq ft sand filter is the standard size for most inground pools. Larger pools, , should use a 4.9 sq ft. sand filter .

Selecting The Best Filter For Your Pool Is Found In The Equations

What size of pool filter should I buy?

Upated for 2018. A good filtration system for a pool or spa depends on your ability to properly size and select the filter.

To accomplish that, you must calculate the vessels volume, capacity and flow rates, and some other key factors including the type of pump. After all, the filter fits into the equipment sequence after the pump, so regardless of whether youre replacing an old filter or installing a filter on a brand-new pool or spa, youll need to match the filter to the pump and the size of the vessel. Below is a step-by-step guide that explains how to correctly assess filtration needs.

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How To Choose The Right Size Pool Filter

When choosing a filter, whether it be Sand, D.E. or Cartridge, youll have to decide on the right size pool pump for your pool. Filter size is important and something youll want to consider to avoid potential problems in the future.

A good rule to remember is bigger, in this case, is better. Although larger filters come with a bigger price tag, they provide better filtering and easier maintenance for pool owners.

Benefits of larger filters:
  • Increased time between cleaning and backwashing
  • Increased filtration of small particles
  • Increased longevity of filter media

So when it comes to choosing a filter size, 1st determine the gallons per minute your pump is currently distributing. Then, determine the filter size that makes the most sense to you. If your budget is tight, you may want to go with a filter that has a flow rate just above the GPM rating. However, if you have a bigger budget, a larger pool filter will give you better water with less maintenance.

Picking The Best Filter Size For Your Pool

Ive never understood why people buy the biggest pump they can afford, and then go small on the pool filter. I call it the V-8 mentality. They want the biggest engine, in the smallest car.

To save you time in your valuable day, Ill give you the moral of the story upfront. The main point of this post is to GO BIG.

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What Size Pool Filter Do I Need For My Pool

Filter SizeThe filtertheyourpool filtersthesizetheyourfilterpool

In this manner, how do I know what size pool filter I need?

The equation used in calculating filter sizes is:

  • Pool capacity in gallons divided by the desired turnover rate in hours.
  • This will give you the minimum flow needed in gal/m .
  • Divide this number by 60 to get the gal/m.
  • Find a pump that meets the gal/m you just calculated.
  • Secondly, is a bigger pool filter better? The high amount of pressure pushes debris back in your pool and can crack or damage your pool filter. A good rule to remember is bigger, in this case, is better. Although larger filters come with a bigger price tag, they provide better filtering and easier maintenance for pool owners.

    Also question is, what size pool filter do I need for a 20000 gallon pool?

    Filter Sizing Chart #2

    Cartridge – 300-400 Sq. Ft. Sand – 3.9 Sq. Ft DE – 48 Sq Ft
    25,000
    Cartridge – 400-500 Sq. Ft. Sand – 4.9 Sq. Ft DE – 60 Sq Ft
    35,000 2.0 hp

    What size pump do I need for my above ground pool?

    For round above ground pools up to 24 ft. use a 1 HP pump. For round above ground pools over 24 ft. use a 1.5 HP pump.

    Determine The Gallons Of Water Per Minute

    How to Select the Correct Filter Size for Your Swimming Pool

    The next step in the process is to determine how many Gallons Per Minute the pump needs to pump to turn over the water in your pool at least once a day. To find this number, you need to first figure the Gallons Per Hour . To do that, follow this formula:

    Pool Volume in Gallons ÷ 8 = GPH

    Since most pool pumps come with a Gallons Per Minute rating, you now have to convert the GPH to GPM. Heres the formula you need to do that:

    GPH ÷ 60 = GPM

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