Best pool pump parts & accessories according to redditors

It is to drain the water from a pool cover



Edit: Adding link to same model

This is an up-rated 56J motor that you're replacing it with. The super pump comes with a 48J motor - slight size difference but there is a foot that you can remove.

I suggest replacing all the gaskets and the shaft seal. Here's the kit. Make sure you order it too!

There are youtube videos out there to show you how to replace it.

Good luck!

Had a buddy do one on sand, but it was framed in (think like a sand box with 4x4 lumber) it worked out well. They dont like sand for sliding reasons, but his went through a decent earthquake without issues, also a Softer bottom of the pool. He did it high on the outside and dip down towards the middle, it kept the sides of the pool more vertical than bulbous. And gave a deeper middle by almost 6". That stopped slippage and siliding too I believe.

We have an 15' round by 45" AGP its on soil, I highly advise putting in a center main drain. It makes cleaning so much easier. The circulation is great, drastically reduces the amount of time neded to run the pump/filter to 4 hours daily. And you can get by brushing towards the center for clean up and less vacuuming time. It also pulls the solar blanket heated water down for even mixing and heating. Huge bonus there. It gets too warm at times, kinda like a bath tub, 95 or so for a month, where we leave the blanket off.

I also upgraded to a 1600 GPH sand filter, and separate salt system, they have a combo, it really made it effortless, no chems unless you want or need to shock it from heavy use, only shocked it once after we had 15 kids in it all day. A backwash once a month and cleaning the chlorine generators plates in vinegar and baking soda every other month. I used 2" PVC for everything no intex hoses getting holes. Oh and I added a through wall skimmer, not an over the rail one, 2" shut off valves for pulling stuff apart, and diverting skimmer and main drain and side wall intakes for vacuuming.

Im in Los Angeles and the pool usually stays up year round, but I took it down when we had a new roof put on to avoid accidental liner damage, I left the plumbing in ground and lining it all back up was easy enough with the help of my teen kids.

If you want some pictures let me know and ping me on Saturday. Or if you have questions anytime.

Im actually gonna pull my down and try to sell it, or at least the pump and salt generator, the kids are all teens now and didnt use it at all this year, we got a good 10 years out of it all, so Im happy.

Thats just my advice on it. None is necessary, but makes it easier, the stock pump would kill a filter every week, and vacuuming was slow and crappy. Heating didnt mix well , like a top layer of hot and a cold bottom. Took me 4 years to get all the pieces and figuting out how to cut down all the maintenance time, the last few years have been pretty maintenance free.

If anything, i advise the salt generator the most. Its 90 pounds of pool salt and some generators maintenance. Its not salty water, and it softens the water, its the biggest and best upgrade IMO.

Oh for the main drain, watch youtube videos on how to cut the liner, they lay the plumbing, get a smooth flooring fill it a few inches screw it togher, it helps you find the screw holes for the ring seal. Once thats in, cut the main hole and secure the grate cover, forget the gaskets the vinyl lines and the plastic rings sealed it perfectly.

I know, megans law and using one main drain is bad, But I still used the skimmer and the side wall intakes, so it was safe. And the shutoff vales were only used for vacuuming and maintenance reasons.

Oh i also upgraded the return fitting with a larger adjustable one. If I pointed it wideways it would make the water swirl around the pool, it had great flow.

I think that covers it all.

Links below for guidance/ideas on parts.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Intex-1600-GPH-Saltwater-System-Sand-Filter-Pump-Set-for-Above-Ground-Pools/42560938?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1187&adid=22222222228030424960&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=65033013849&wl4=pla-110635148889&wl5=9031045&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112549749&wl11=online&wl12=42560938&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAjw-vjqBRA6EiwAe8TCkwpc6jqa-os2S9OYmXUmIDOqW_M-g1k6B9REEvt1Ofeyomr8obozPRoCdAsQAvD_BwE

https://www.walmart.com/ip/HAYWARD-SP1091LX-Above-Ground-Swimming-Pool-Dyna-Skimmer-Return-Accessory-Kit/36821335?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1195&adid=22222222228024608265&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=52589369591&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-84470338031&wl5=9031045&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=130258546&wl11=online&wl12=36821335&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAjw-vjqBRA6EiwAe8TCkyjHHU3_wQznrqfnBrcC3ZfVffn40CaEKMdauYlArEDTnCZ6YJuBMRoC-38QAvD_BwE

Hayward WG1154AVPAK2 2-Inch White Deluxe Suction Outlets with Adjustable Plaster Collar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YUPNDI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Bm4xDb847VJ7P

https://www.homedepot.com/p/LEGEND-VALVE-2-in-PVC-Solvent-Socket-Ball-Valve-S-600/203581050?mtc=Shopping-B-FBT-G-Multi-NA-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-Catchall-NA-NA&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-FBT-G-Multi-NA-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-Catchall-NA-NA-71700000014585962-58700001236285396-92700010802552406&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjw-vjqBRA6EiwAe8TCk9ffb-z1qsmUjwcB4u8xxqKRTyRiyOm5QdGGQWacLJAsWcVmI_fLmhoC8YMQAvD_BwE

You are describing an inground pool pump.

In no particular order here are some recommendations:

https://www.amazon.com/Hayward-SP2600X5-Super-Pump-0-50/dp/B000ESOQGM

https://www.amazon.com/Harris-H1572748-ProForce-Inground-Pool/dp/B01BSV5R7A/

https://www.homedepot.com/p/WaterWay-Hi-Flo-1-1-2-HP-Single-Speed-Above-Ground-Pool-Pump-PD11506/305655255


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-1-HP-Thermoplastic-Pool-Pump/4640265

I have a 16 X 32 inground pool and we have a 1 horsepower hayward super pump. I usually run it 24 hours a day. Sometimes I'll run it 12 hours at a time. For an above ground pool a 1/2 hp or 3/4 hp will be sufficient.

2 speed motors aren’t worth the extra money, and will not be operated on both speeds assuming you do not already have a 2 speed timer / controller.

Your pump is circulating fine, it’s just annoyingly loud, so no worries of the pool going south as long as the neighbors aren’t bitching at you.

I would either buy this, and just swap the wet end (leave the housing in place & swap all functional components):
Hayward SP2602VSP Super Pump VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump Energy Star Certified https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OMTESAS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nU97CbVZ80JM6

Or as the other comment said, but a V-Green and retrofit.

BTW, I'm trying to be an informed pool owner and I'm taking what you've said to heart.

>The prospective owner has mentioned the "hydraulics" work up these guys have done for his pool - mentioning 50' (of head, I assume - although where that number comes from, I have no idea), and to think that a 25,000 gallon pool will turnover twice a day...

Can you send me the hydraulic curve chart you're referring to? I got my information from Amazons performance data and I'm assuming on the very high side there'd be about 50' of pvc pipe from the pump to the pool

I use this water pump: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F9TK8VC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 with the pump inside this filter box: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DL0Y2Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and this valve: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752GDY1N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to prevent the water from backflowing during clouds/night time. This is the air pump: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HP28UU8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 that I use but will probably add another for the other end of the tank. The filter box has made the water noticeably better, more translucent than opaque with algae.

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It took a bit of looking to find a pump on amazon that listed the max lift height of the pump pumping up a tube. The circulation is mainly for the sound and so the birds can drink from the old concrete fountain part instead of sitting on the tank edge and risking falling in when the water gets lower.

DON'T EPOXY OR SILICONE IT IF YOU WANT TO BE IN CODE! If you're in the US, the VGB Act is very strict on main drain design and install. Get this and get the right size drill bit with a 1/4" shank for the course-thread screws it comes with (the 'quick attach' style drill bit). Put that drill bit into one of those screwdrivers that lets you change out the tip of it, then drill some pilot holes by hand into the plastic part of the Ring. It'll be pretty easy to drill these holes by hand as the plastic is fairly soft. Once you have those holes, install the SDX retro cover I linked by following the instructions it comes with.

The job is a PITA, bit I've done it quite a few times with only a mask and a weight belt. You'll just bounce up for air every few turns of the screwdriver. Your other option is to hire a pool company to do it, bit it'll cost you hundreds vs $50 for the cover, and $10 for the drill bit if you don't have one already.

Another way I did it with an old employer was to use an air compressor with a cheap drill head from harbor freight. Washing beforehand and later reoiling the drill attachment as well as dragging around an air compressor wasn't worth the effort over just doing it by hand.

So we aren't talking about replacing something like this? When I read keypad failure, I guess this is what comes to mind. I popped this off after making my original post this afternoon and there appeared to be water under the module. I'm wondering if it's possible some got in and shorted out the board. Wishful thinking, but the last thing I need right before Christmas is a major pool repair bill.

Is the error code I'm seeing telling you my pump is shot? I've tried looking it up online and found nothing.

Thanks by the way. I really appreciate it

I am going to call gecko as you suggest, and also get a quote from my local pool/spa company.

But, now that I understand everything... here's what I'm thinking is my game plan.

Replace the control system with the one linked. Hard wire the power to the system with my existing 220v50amp circuit, adjust as needed based on the power requirements of the control system. Keep existing pump with new control system and heater.

So, once installed, the control system will use the watkins pumps to circulate water, heater will heat water if it's less then the set point. System will auto circulate water if heating is needed.

And just like that, with 500 bucks I turn a 1500 dollars spa into a much more capable spa.

Am I missing anything huge? If I'm upgrading the brains should I upgrade the pump to a 2 speed that the controller can control?

edit: such as this pump
https://www.amazon.com/Gecko-Alliance-06115000-1040-Flo-Master-Speed/dp/B006H41ZHU