Once you have figured out the minimum flow rates necessary for circulating your pool, it is important to consider the other features of the pool that may require more gallons per minute in order to operate properly.

Is your pool pump shared with the spa?

Spa jets require about 15-20 gallons per minute of flow to operate properly.  If you have a spa with 4 jets, then the flow rate needs to be 60-80 gallons per minute for the jets to operate properly.

Example:  If you have a 18,000 gallon pool with a built-in spa with four jets, you might only need 40 gallons per minute to circulate the pool properly, but you would need 60-80 gallons per minute to operate the spa properly.  This would require you to equip the pool with a larger pump in order to accommodate the spa.

Does your pool have an in-floor cleaning system?

In-floor cleaning systems typically require a total flow of 65-70 GPM at a total dynamic head of 70 ft.   See the flow chart section for explanation of total dynamic head.

See Paramount Pool Products for the technical requirements of  in-floor cleaning systems.

Does your pool have an solar heating system?

Solar heating systems increase the total resistance to flow on the system and may increase the size of a pump that is needed to properly circulate the pool.

Does your pool share the pump with a pressure side cleaning system?

Some cleaning systems like the Polaris 360 or the RayVac or the Letro Legend 2 use the pool pump to power the unit (rather than an external booster pump).  The minimum size pump on this type of application is probably 1.5 HP and preferably 2.0 HP.

The pump must be powerful enough to provide adequate flow to the cleaner while also providing enough flow to the filter and heater.  If the cleaner does not have enough flow, it will not work properly.  If the heater does not have enough flow, it will not light.  

Not sure what size pump you need?


Request a FREE PUMP SIZE recommendation specifically for your pool.