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Started up my 18" x 33" X 54" swimming pool this weekend. Connected my Sparco 2 speed pump with carttridge filter both electrically and plumbing and started flowing water. Pump sounds like a coffee grinder and the cartridge probably needs replacing (3rd season on it). I think I want to and need to replace the pump. I do not care for the cartridge filter so if I have to replace the pump I want to replace the filter as well to a sand filter system. If I change I am going to a Hayward system unless you convince me different. So what size pump and What size filter do I need??
I would be glad to help you size your pool filter and pump for a sand filter. You have approximately 18,444 gallons of water and to turn this over every 12 hours which is the minimum you would require a flow rate of 26 gallons per minute.
A sand filter requires 20 gallons per minute per square foot of filter area to run properly. We add some to accomodate a dirty filter so a 1.8 sq. ft. sand filter would be large enough. A 1.5 HP pump would work for this system. Remember it will not filter down to as low a micron as a cartridge filter.
Oh, and the coffee grinder sound I do believe is your bearings going. You can take to a motor repair shop and they may be able to replace bearings and seal assembly for $100 or so.
I do not know what sq. footage of cartridge filter you have, but a 150 sq. ft. cartridge filter a 1 hp pump would be sufficient as they require less energy to run (.357 per sq. ft. max instead of 20gpm per sq. ft.) properly.
I hope this helps. If so, please accept and leave feedback. I will be happy to answer further questions.
Experience: 40+ yrs, NSPF Instructor, NC Licensed SwimPool Contractor
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OK so a 1.8 sq ft filter + 100 lbs of sand or 200 lbs of sand. The filters come in 16", 18" or 21" I believe that an 18" withh 100 lbs of sand requires 30 GPM to work correctly so that would be a 1 hp pump and 100 lb sand filter. I replaced an old pool that used a Hayward sand filter system, which worked very well I might add and the new pool has a Sparco 1 hp, 2 speed pump,with an extra wide long skimmer, wind sock looking pre filter and an apporxmiately 7" in diameter x 50" longer cartridge filter. Am I thinking correctly??
Yes the 16" filter with the 1 up will be adequate. The 2 speed will save 65% in energy cost even if you run longer.