Equipment, Pumps & Filters
12 answers from technicians who work these pools every day.
Your pump and filter are the heart and lungs of the pool, and in Keys salt air they work hard and corrode faster than most owners expect. Catching the warning signs early is the difference between a part and a whole new pump. These answers cover circulation, filtration and the equipment questions we hear most.
See pool pump repair →- How Long Should I Run My Pool Pump Each Day? Jul 2, 2026 Run your pump long enough to turn over the full pool volume once a day, typically 8 to 12 hours. Here is how to calculate your exact run time.
- Why Is My Pool Pump Not Priming? May 27, 2026 A pool pump that will not prime is almost always losing suction to an air leak, a low water level or a clogged basket. Work through these checks in order.
- What Is My Pool Filter Pressure Gauge Telling Me? Apr 20, 2026 Your filter gauge tracks how loaded the media is. Clean it when pressure rises 8 to 10 psi over the clean baseline. Falling pressure means something else.
- When Should I Replace My Pool Filter? Mar 15, 2026 Cartridges last 2 to 3 years, DE grids 5 to 8, sand 5 to 7. Learn the signs that media is finished rather than just dirty, and when tanks need replacing.
- Should I Run My Pool Pump at Night or During the Day? Mar 7, 2026 Run at least part of your pump time during daylight, when chlorine demand and swimmer load peak. Split the schedule to catch off-peak rates at night.
- Is a Robotic Pool Cleaner Worth It? Feb 9, 2026 For most pool owners, yes. Robots run on their own low-voltage power, filter debris into their own basket, and scrub surfaces suction cleaners skip.
- Sand, Cartridge or DE Filter: Which Is Best? Feb 6, 2026 DE filters the finest, cartridge is the best all around choice for most home pools, and sand is the simplest to run. Here is how to pick the right one.
- Why Is My Pool Pump Making Noise? Jan 1, 2026 Pump noise is diagnostic. Screeching means bearings, rattling means cavitation, and humming without spinning means a failed capacitor. Here is how to tell.
- How Long Does a Pool Pump Last? Nov 25, 2025 Most pool pumps last 8 to 12 years. Learn what shortens that, the warning signs a pump is near the end, and when repair stops making financial sense.
- Are Variable Speed Pool Pumps Worth the Money? Oct 20, 2025 Variable speed pumps cost more upfront but cut energy use substantially, run quieter and filter better. Florida also requires them on most replacements.
- Why Is There Air in My Pool Pump? Sep 13, 2025 Air in the pump basket means a suction side leak or a low water level. Check the water line and pump lid O-ring first, then work down the line to find it.
- What Does a Pool Automation System Actually Do? Aug 8, 2025 Pool automation runs your pump speeds, heater, lights, valves and chlorination on a schedule from your phone. Here is what it will and will not do.