distance from skimmer to pump

[marc_]

I'm currently having an inground pool installed, I wanted to have the pump and filter installed inside my shed (to be built soon). Problem is the installer tells me the distance is too far and will cause problems with the pump. I don't understand what's the difference with the distance, once the hose is primed does it matter how far it is. Would a check valve be necessary or help?

I'm really new to this so here's the info I can provide that I know.

skimmer to shed is 60 feet in line with slight bend
pool is 14x28 approx 45000 litres or 12000 us gallons
pump is hayward 1hp
hose is 1 1/2 inch

Thanks
http://i1336.photobucket.com.KILLED/albums/o645/marc77777/5ed9ba81-ff7e-4f74-aa0d-72a88b2ecf02_zps7c5ef407.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r4gkpN3v3x8/UfHFF59ngZI/AAAAAAAAF6g/MjzQUXWcVRM/s640/5ed9ba81-ff7e-4f74-aa0d-72a88b2ecf02_zps7c5ef407.jpg

[mas985]

Is there an elevation change? If not, 60' is fine but I would increase the pipe size to at least 2".

Is the PB using flex or ridged PVC? Ridged would be my preference.

What is the pump model#?

[marc_]

Thanks for the reply...

The pump is a hayward maxflo sp2807x10w 1hp.
From what I can see lying around the pool, he will be using 1 1/2" flex. I'll suggest he put 2" instead. There is no elevation change, in the picture the shed is where i'm standing to take the picture.

thanks

[marc_]

*update*

Installer will install a 2" flex pipe from the skimmer to the pump but insisted on upgrading the pump to a 1 1/2 hp. I'm hoping this will resolve any possible issues.

[mas985]

Upgrading the pump makes things worse not better. With the larger pump, you need larger pipe. Your PB clearly does not know what he is doing.

[PoolDoc]

Do *NOT* allow him to use flex.

Flex PVC is the worst; after a period of years it begins to sprout pinholes all over. There are probably grades of flex that are OK, but neither you, nor your installer, have any way of finding and determining those grades. And, I know for a fact that much of the flex distributed by the swimming pool wholesale network is NOT an acceptable grade.

Flex polyethylene COULD be OK, but you'd need to use potable water rated line AND fittings. These are NOT what's usually distributed by the pool distribution networks. With poly, the failures are often underground, at the joints

Instead, use pressure rated / potable water rated Schedule 40 PVC pipe (all those ratings should be ON the pipe itself), along with NFS (or Canadian equiv) S-40 rated fittings.

Problems with priming will disappear if your pool guy simply runs the PVC like a plumber, and maintains a steady upward slope from the pool, to the pump pad. That simple, easy, technique will allow the pipe to self-fill from the pool, as soon as you take the lid off the pump. You will need to fill the pipe ditch with a layer of gravel -- NOT sand!! -- so you can create and maintain the grade. If your pool guy says he can't do that, hire a plumber to run the piping -- ANY qualified plumber can do so. (I know: I was a plumber before I was a pool guy; it's how I worked my way through college, and I held a Master Plumber's license for 25+ years!)

"Upgrading" the pump will NOT help with priming issues. What will help is replacing the MaxFlo with the older Super Pump; that is an old design that has the best self-priming characteristics of any pump (Pentair, StaRite, Jandy, Hayward) I've worked with. Installing a 1.5 HP pump on a 12K gallon pool will simply waste electricity for the life of your pool.

On a 12,000 gallon pool, rather than running a single 2" line, you might want to run (2) 1.5" lines, one from the main drain and one from the skimmer, with separate ball valves on each. That will allow you to prime off the main drain, and then gradually cut-in the skimmer line.

This combo will give you excellent water quality and performance:


Hayward Super Pump Max Rated Single Speed (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00198CW7G/poolbooks/) @ Amazon
Hayward S244T Pro Series Top-Mount 24-Inch Sand Filter with 1-1/2-Inch Vari-Flo Valve (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000EY39QY/poolbooks/) @ Amazon

If you replace the pump with this one, you'll more than save back the additional cost, in reduced electrical costs; on low the pump will move 1/2 the water but take less than 1/4 the electricity. PLUS, filter efficiency will actually INCREASE, resulting in clearer water. (You'll have to backwash on high.)

Hayward Super Max Rated Dual Speed Pool Pump (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002GP5W1O/poolbooks/) @ Amazon

[PoolDoc]

membership updated. (Dunno why I didn't do it before - sorry!)