Do I need a booster pump for waterfall added to pool?

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I recently added a waterfall which falls into both my pool and my spa. I have a 2 1/2HP circ pump and a 3/4 HP Booster pump for the Polaris, but the flow seems low. When I have the waterfall valve open, the return jets open, and the valve to some fountains open they just don't give alot of flow. I have to partially close off some of the valves to get the waterfall and fountain to give adequate flow. I am wondering if adding a booster pump just for the water fall will help, or do I need to purchase another circ pump to get the flow up?



Comments

  1. Nicko says:
    July 8, 2009 at 6:11 am

    Hard one to answer without being there to look. Im a pool builder and it all depends on how it was plumbed.

    Before the waterfall was added (and subsequent 3 way valve attached to send water to it) did the system run sufficiently?

    If it did then there is not enough supply for all options on your pool and spa.

    Changing your 2.5HP pump out for a bigger one may not solve the problem either – as the suction line may be too small to draw enough volume from the pool.

    If the pool, spa, waterfall is all running from one body of water – you could prioritise your jets and turn off the pool returns – if water is coming back to the pool from the new waterfall then this is as good as the pool return.

    Spa is another thing because you may not want to sacrifice your flow jets as they are the main feature of the spa. BUT if your not having a spa at the time and you wish for it to look good then dont forget that this is the same volume of water returning to the pool/spa just through a different source.

    So in summary – to avoid new pump etc – use flow to waterfall as primary return water to at least the pool – shut off pool returns when running waterfall. If spa jets run with this setup then great if not you may valve them down too – worth doing when not in there wanting the jets. Then it looks good when not swimming.

    Booster pump for waterfall is a good option – for adequate flow and because you can remote switch it so that you can turn on the waterfall from in the house at your leisure. BUT typically you need a dedicated suction point to get the flow. If you had pre plumbing for solar heating and havent used it then great its already there. If not we would sometimes drill in 2 x 52mm holes through the shell and install 2 new 40mm safety suctions which T back to a suction line. This is pretty major work though. And adding a pump to your existing suction line has a very high likelyhood of not working due to too limitations in water supply through a 50mm pipe (if its 40mm pipe there is another reason for poor flow.)

    If your equipment is a long way away from the pool it could be another cause for poor performance – likewise if your equipment is much higher than the pool level.

    Just an example – my spa has 6 jets – all plumbed really well with double loops to maximise even flow – i run a 1.5HP pump located only 1m from the body of water and only 3-4m from the furthest jet – and I do not get a massive amount of flow – i use venturi air to boost my jets which works a treat.

    Hope its not too much babble – just thought i could help.

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