Aqua Supercenter's Guide to Opening Your Pool Steps 6-7

Step 6- Remove the Pool Cover

Drain as much water off the top of the cover as you can to make removal of your cover easier. This task is made simple with the a winter cover pump.

To avoid yard debris from falling into your pool, exercise patience and remove your cover slowly. Its always a good idea to thoroughly wash and rinse your pool cover afterward. Using regular soap and water will help extend your cover’s lifetime. Drying the cover thoroughly will prevent any unwanted molds to flourish during your cover’s storage.

Step 7 - Connect Your Equipment

Since you already did an inventory of all missing items this will be a breeze. If your filtration system was cleaned before closing your pool in the fall, then attach the hoses and open all valves. If your system needs to be cleaned or the sand needs to be replaced, now is the best opportunity to do so.

We suggest following all manufacturer guidelines to prepare your pool pumps, filters, and pool heaters. Double check that your o-rings are lubricated for use with water-based lubricants. Double check your skimmers and lint pots are free of debris. If you used an anti-freeze for your lines, make sure to vacuum those lines clean.

Next Steps: You Get a Clean Slate.

Aquasupercenter's Guide to Opening Your Swimming Pool Steps 4 & 5

Step 4- Plugs and Valves Inventory

Do an inventory of all plugs that came out of the valves, filters, and pumps. If you check now, this will help alleviate future frustration. Some pool owners charge ahead opening their swimming pools only to discover they do not have everything they need. Sometimes it’s hard for some pool owners to remember where the stashed the plugs, so we suggest putting them in the strainer basket of your pump.

Step 5 - Checking the Guages

Check your Filter Gages. Filter gages are prone to freezing. The best way to test is to look at the gage for a “0” reading. If it reads “0” there are no problems. If not, replace it.

Shameless Plug (And Pun!)

We can help you with all filter parts and accessories that may have gone missing in the off season. Call us or email us and we will be happy to diagnose the problem or part you need and give you the best price, guaranteed. sales@aquasupercenter.com – 941-487-2775

What Size Pool Pump Do I Need?

Determining the proper size pump you need requires a little research . Luckily, you came to the right place.

1. Determine the number of gallons of water in your pool. One way to do this is by multiplying length times width, times average depth, times 7.4.

2. How many hours per day do you intend to run your pump? You should run your pool long enough to turn over all the water through your system at least once per day. Most people will run their pool between 8 & 10 hours per day.

3. Next, check the size of your pool plumbing. Maximum flow rate through 1 ½ “ piping is 44 gallons per minute. Maximum flow rate through 2” plumbing is 73 gallons per minute.

Now that you have this information you can determine the time your need to run your pool in order to circulate all the water correctly. Your can divide the number of gallons by the number of hours you intend to run your pool. Divide that number by 60 (the number of minutes in an hour) and you will know the flow rate you need.

Pool Size - number of gallons of water in the pool
Turnover Time - time to move entire capacity of pool through filter
Flow Rate - desired flow rate in gallons per minute

35,000 divided by 8 hours divided by 60 equals 73 GPM
35,000 divided by 10 hours divided by 60 equals 58 GPM
24,000 divided by 8 hours divided by 60 equals 50 GPM
24,000 divided by 10 hours divided by 60 equals 40 GPM
18,000 divided by 8 hours divided by 60 equals 38 GPM
18,000 divided by 10 hours divided by 60 equals 30 GPM

If you have a 25,000 gallon pool and want a turnover rate of 8 hours, then you will need a pump with a flow rate of 52 gallons per minute.

If you have a 35,000 gallon pool and want a turnover rate of 10 hours, you will need a pump with a flow rate of 56 gallons per minute.

Example: 18,000 gallon pool with a run time of 8 hours needs a minimum flow rate of 38GPM.
A Hayward super pump 3/4hp has an average flow rate of 47gpm so this would work well on this pool.

8,000 – 18,000 gallon pools the following pumps are recommended:
Hayward Super Pump 3/4 HP
Hayward Max-Flo 3/4 HP
Pentair Super Flo 3/4 HP
Sta-Rite Dyna-Glas 3/4 Hp

18,000 – 30,000 Pools the following pumps are recommended:
Hayward Super II 1 Hp
Hayward Super Pump 1 HP
Pentair Pinnacle 1 HP
Pentair WhisperFlo 1 HP
Sta-Rite Duraglas 1HP

30,000 – 40,000 gallon pools the following pumps are recommended:
Hayward MaxFlo 1.5 HP
Hayward Super II 1.5 HP
Pentair WhisperFlo 1.5 HP
Sta-Rite Duraglas 1.5 HP

For larger pools please contact one of our representatives. The Pool RX will continue to update this post, as we receive new information from vendors and other industry professionals. Our goal is to keep our valued customers informed so they can make the best decision. Check back next week when we will cover what swimming pool filter system you might need.