When is the best time to run your pump... and for how long

[grangerhj]

My husband and I can not seem to agree as to how long the pump needs to run and what time of the day is best to do it. I have a 12,000 gallon fiberglass pool in South Louisiana temps are mid 90's ervery day-very little rain and pool is in full sun. I switched to bleach this spring when I discovered I had a CYA level over 150- even with partial emptying ( at least 8 times) it is still around 135- this means that I add bleach- a lot at night and some during the day to keep my cl level around 7-10. My pool water is crystal clear- PH 7.4 TA- 150 Cal- 250

Since I am adding the majority of bleach at around 9PM I have been running the pump 24/7. My husband would like to run it 10-12 hr perday. When would be the best time to run pump?

Thanks for any help. I have enjoyed reading all posts- I check in a couple of times a day. You all are great!

[lagtime]

I also have a 12000 gallon FB pool. I run my pump 3 times a day: from 8pm to midnight, then from 5am to 7am, then from noon to 2 pm. 8 hrs total.

I add bleach at 8pm, letting it work without the sun to use it up. I check chemistry in the am before work (thus the early start time), and I run the third cycle from noon to 2pm just to move the water around under the solar cover.

I live in the Mojave Desert, it's been over 110 here lately, the pool is in full sun from 8am to 5pm.

My pool is crystal, liquid glass clear.

Temp = 88
FC = 5
CC = 0
CYA = 60
PH = 7.8 (too high, adding acid tomorrow)
TA = 120

[NWMNMom]

Are you working on an algae kill? Why the 7-10 FC level? Anywho, we run ours on a timer, 11:15am-8pm (sun goes around house at 7 so we add chlorine from 7-8pm)

[mas985]

Most pools require 1 to 2 turnovers per day for proper filtration. Here is a thread on how to calculate turnover.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=3022

[grangerhj]

Not working on an algae kill- My CYA is high (135) so in order to maintain balance I have to run a high chlorine. Based on Bens best calculations I need to keep my Free chlorine between 8-15 ppm. It is working - my pool is crystal clear!