Step one is determining the minimum flow rate for your pool pump. Swimming pool professionals recommend that the water in a pool should be replaced every ten hours, or 600 minutes. To obtain a minimum flow rate, which is expressed in gallons per minute (GPM), divide the total gallons in your pool by 600 minutes.

Next, you need a maximum flow rate. To calculate this number you must take into consideration two factors: the plumbing and the filter. The water inside a pipe should not travel faster than seven feet per second, and if your pipes are 1.5" in diameter, water replacement should not exceed 42 GPM. For two-inch, 2.5", and three-inch pipes, the maximum GPM is 73, 120, and 160 respectively. Every filter comes with a manufacturer recommended GPM. Ignoring the recommendation will result in a damaged filter.

The horsepower (HP) you need from a pump is based on your ideal flow range and how much resistance to flow there is. A typical in-ground pool has between 50 and 60 feet of head, a measure of resistance. Most above-ground pools have approximately 30 feet of head. With an above-ground pool, one HP, 1.5 HP, two HP, and 2.5 HP pumps will replace water at respective rates of 77, 97, 140, and 155 GPM. Pool pumps of the same power will replace in-ground pool water at 55, 70, 95, and 115 GPM respectively. These figures are approximations and can vary depending on vacuum pressure at the pump and clean filter pressure.

Top-Quality Pool Pumps for All Size Pools
Here at Poolhub.com, we offer pool pumps for both in-ground and above-ground pools. We are confident that you will not find better value anywhere else on the Internet. If you have further questions pertaining to which pump is right for your pool, feel free to contact us at any time at 1-800-Poolhub.