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How To Select Above Ground Pool Pumps

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The pool pump is the heart of your above ground pool; it ensures your water stays healthy by moving it through your filter and chlorinator. Having the wrong pump can mean your pool water will get cloudy, green, and nasty. In this guide, we'll walk you through on how to size your above ground pool pump.
 



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Above Ground Pool Pump and Filter

Above Ground Pool Pumps

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Step 1

Sizing above ground pool pumps is much simpler than their inground counterparts. Above ground pool pumps are generally below the waterline thereby gravity fed, with minimal plumbing between it and its suction ports. The simplicity the pool’s plumbing allows you to size the pump by pool size alone (most times.)

Click Here to View our Above Ground Pool Pumps

Step 2

Round Pools: The chart shows the normal manufacturer pump sizing recommendations for pool sizes. The horsepower overlaps on the “tweener” sized pools 15’ is a small to medium, and 27’ is medium to large.

Ranges:
  • ¾ Horsepower: 8’ to 15’ Round
  • 1 Horsepower: 15’ to 24’ Round
  • 1-1/2 Horsepower: 24’ to 36’ Round

Step 3

Oval Pools: Similar to the round pools, the horsepower recommendations overlap for some models. If your pool falls in one of these overlap areas, then consider how much swimmer traffic you expect. Light to moderately used pools, choose the lower HP, for higher swimmer loads, choose the step up.

Ranges:
  • ¾ Horsepower: 12’ X 17’ to 12’ X 24’
  • 1 Horsepower: 12’ X 24’ to 15’ X 27’
  • 1-1/2 Horsepower: 15’ X 27’ to 18’ X 33’

Step 4

Reasons to step up horsepower: Longer than standard plumbing lines and/or pool accessories may require you to make the jump to the next highest horsepower to ensure proper flow rates. Common causes for larger pumps
  • Suction line from the skimmer to pump is longer than 15-feet
  • You’re planning to use a suction cleaner, e.g. the Hayward Navigator, The Pool Cleaner, and Kreepy Krauly
  • Adding solar panels, especially ones mounted on roofs or fences increase the strain on the pump, requiring extra HP oomph

Click Here to View our Above Ground Pool Pumps

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Anonymous  Posted: 5/22/2022 

I have a 21x41x54 what size pump and filter ?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/23/2022 

What type of filter do you want? Sand, Cartridge, or DE? How to Size an Above Ground Pool Filter
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/21/2022 

I have a Pentair SD60 paired with a 1.5hp Dynamo. I'm getting dirty, cloudy water returned to the pool. Is the pump too much for the filter?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/23/2022 

That's unlikely to be the issue. You probably have a cracked lateral or standpipe inside the filter. How To Replace a Lateral in a Pool Sand Filter
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/10/2022 

I have a 21ft round pool by 52 inches which pump and filter can i use because i have now a 4/4 hp pump and i was told is not good enough for the pool thank you
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/11/2022 

Referring to Step 2, a 1 HP pump would be enough. I'm not familiar with a "4/4 pump"
 Reply

 Posted: 5/11/2022 

Sorry i meant 3/4 hp. Is 1.5 hp too much? And what kind of sand filter would i need? Thank you
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/23/2022 

1.5 HP would be unnecessary. What is the size of your current filter?
 Reply

 Posted: 3/20/2022 

I have 16×32 ×52rectangle what size would be best
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 3/21/2022 

Since it is a rectangle, I'd use the oval pool charts as a reference. According to the Step 3 chart, your 13'x32' rect should use a 1.5 HP pool pump. We suggest the Pureline Pure Pro XL - 1.5HP.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/2/2021 

Hello, I have a 22x52 above ground Coleman pool. I am looking to get a sand filter pump system this year. Could you point me in the direction of what size I should get? Thank you
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/13/2021 

A 22-foot round above ground pool should have at least a 16" sand filter. A good example is the Waterway Carefree 16" Sand Filter - FS01619.
 Reply

 Posted: 8/18/2020 

bought a bestway steel above ground oval (18Lx9Wx4D/approx. 3548gal) The pump crapped out (bought new, but second hand so, no warranty) Looking to install a decent pump but not extremely pricy. Thank you in advance for any help or direction.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/21/2020 

As the article states, you would need a 1 HP pump. Our most popular pumps at the moment are the Waterway Hi-Flo II Pool Pump - 1 HP, 115V, 1-Speed, 3' STD Cord, Vertical - PH1100-6
 Reply

 Posted: 4/19/2020 

I have a 21’ round pool with 52” inch walls and a 6 foot deep center. I’m switching from a sand filter to a cartridge filter and my new filter came with a 1 1/2 hp pump. Is this new pump going to be too much for my pool? Thanks, Jason
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 4/24/2020 

The worry is overpowering the filter with a pump too that is big. If the pump and filter came in a combo pack, you would not have to worry about it being a bad pairing. As for the size of your pool, I would want to 1.5 HP because you have the extra gallons to filter with having that deep end.
 Reply

 Posted: 4/16/2020 

I have a 16'x32'x4' oval (approx.12,000 gallons) with a 1hp Pentair OptiFlo pump and Hayward S180T filter. The filter is rated for 35gpm. Is that sufficient for both the size of the pool and the flow from the pump? If not, should I downsize the pump or upsize the filter?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 4/17/2020 

If the pump and filter are already installed, my first question would be; is the pool clean and running smoothly? If the pool is clean, there is no need to spend money on changing anything.
 Reply

 Posted: 2/24/2020 

Newly purchased property has 33 ft, 52 inch existing pool with 27, 800 of water in it for over a year. It has a 60 gpm filter and pump is missing. Am I reading the chart correctly, that the 1 1/2 hp pump provides more than my filter can handle/ What size wire would I need to run from breaker, someone took that too? Thank you.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 2/25/2020 

The Pentair pump and filter combo units pair the Sand Dollar SD60 with their 1.5 and 2 horsepower pumps. There shouldn’t be an issue installing a standard 1.5 horsepower a/g pump like the Waterway Hi-Flo II Pool Pump – 1.5 HP, 115V, 1-Speed.REPLY
 Reply

 Posted: 2/26/2020 

Thank you Matt
 Reply

 Posted: 10/1/2019 

I purchased a used above ground pool. 26’ by 52 inches deep (round) It came with a 0.52 hp pump that puts out 2500 gph. Can i get a bigger cartridge pump?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/7/2019 

You can go with a 1HP or 1.5HP pump as long as your filter can handle the increased flow.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/24/2019 

Is it hard to switch from chlorine to salt? Is the sand filter the same or require a different type of sand? Also not sure if 1 or 1 1/2 HP would be better for a 24' x 5' above ground pool.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/26/2019 

Hello Wade - It is not hard to switch to a salt system. It's two steps, install the system and add salt. The sand filter would stay the same. You would not need to change the sand in the filter. 1HP is adequate for a 24' pool. If the 1HP is not providing enough power for vacuuming, bump it up to 1.5HP.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/11/2019 

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT SIZE SAND FILTER PUMP i NEED TO BUY FOR MY COLEMAN 22' X 52' POOL? DOES THAT GO ALONG WITH THE PUMP IT CAME WITH OR USE ONLY ONE AT A TIME? HELP PLEASE
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/12/2019 

If you refer to the chart for round pools, listed as Step 2 of the 4; you would see that a 1 HP pump would be the preferred choice. For the filter, I suggest reviewing the chart on this guide: How to Size an Above Ground Pool Filter
 Reply

 Posted: 8/12/2019 

What size pool filter and pump would I need. 18x9x52 inches. ( Intex pool)
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/14/2019 

Very good question. Take a look at the clear pump horsepower guidelines listed on this article or you can view the clear pump and filter guidelines listed in this article: How To Size an Above Ground Pool Pump and Filter System
 Reply

 Posted: 6/14/2019 

I have a 22 x 12 x 52 rectangle aboveground pool what pump and filter is needed
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/19/2019 

I would refer to the oval sizes listed on this sizing guide: How To Size an Above Ground Pool Pump and Filter System
 Reply

 Posted: 6/3/2019 

I need a pool pump for a 18×48 above ground coleman pool can i use any pump? Will my existing hose work if i do get different pump other then the 90401e model?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/6/2019 

I'm not sure what types of hoses come with those Coleman models, because we do not offer them. But you may want to look into getting stand PVC flex pipe from a local hardware store.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/2/2019 

I have a 17×52 above ground . What size sand & salt water filter do I need?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/6/2019 

Refer to Step 2 on the following guide: How to Size an Above Ground Pool Filter
 Reply

 Posted: 5/29/2019 

We need a pump from the pool to the roof through 200 feet of garden hose what do we need
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/30/2019 

You will need as much HP in an above ground pool pump as you can get, but I couldn't confirm it would work. That is an otherworldly amount of hose, then tack on the fact you are putting it on an incline to reach the roof. I do not know an above ground pool pump suited for that application.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/27/2019 

need new pump and filter for above ground 27' round 52 "depth pool any suggestions
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/30/2019 

Yes, we do. Sizing recommendations are listed here: How To Size an Above Ground Pool Pump and Filter System
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/22/2019 

Can you let pump run 24 ours or 12 ours
 Reply