Chemicals work in conjunction with water circulation and filtration. Even with a vast and superior understanding of water chemistry, pool water can-and often will-suffer if water circulation is too limited or if filtration is poor. Therefore, allow the equipment to operate for the RECOMMENDED amount of time. Also clean the filter as part of your routine maintenance schedule.

Equipment run time is an issue of constant debate and argument in the pool industry. Many pool professionals demand that the equipment is run continuously-24 hours per day and 7 days per week. Other pool professionals disagree, and argue that the equipment only needs to be run 8-10 hours per day.

Supporters of continuous run time (24/7) provide numerous justifications for their claim. They argue that:

• The electrical charges associated with operating the equipment continuously is a minimal fee.
• There could be a much more significant increase in your electrical bill with the daily start-stop-restart pattern. A substantial amount of electrical energy is used during the initial start-up of the equipment.
• Chemicals rely on circulation and filtration. If water is stagnant, filtration will be by-passed, and water chemistry will suffer.
• If water chemistry is lost, it will cost a lot of money to purchase the additional chemicals that will be required to re-attain water chemistry. Once water chemistry is lost, it will take 2-3 times the amount of chemical to re-attain water chemistry than it would have to simply maintain water chemistry.

Supporters of the 8-10 hour run time offer a rebuttle as well as their own justifications. They argue that:

• Pumps and filters are properly sized by the pool professionals. The equipment that is installed on each pool is done so on a case-by-case basis. The pump will be able to send the entire volume of the pool water through the filter within 8-10 hours.
• Just as you cannot make something that is already wet any wetter, you equally cannot make something that is already clean any cleaner. Therefore, since the equipment can clean the water in 8-10 hours, the additional 14-16 hours of operating the equipment is useless. The only noticeable effect will be an increase in your electrical bill.
• It is best to run the equipment overnight. It is cooler at this time, which will be easier on the equipment. But, if swimming will take place during the day, make sure the equipment is operating just before, during, and for at least an hour after swimming.
• The supporters are actually stating to run the equipment every night and during all encounters in the pool, which totals in the area of 8-10 hours. 8-10 hours, then, is not a mandate. Rather, it is a guideline.

Both sides make a convincing argument. So, who is right? To an extent, both are. The pool professionals that install the equipment on your pool must do so with the correct sizes. They will calculate the gallons of your pool, take the diameter of the plumbing into consideration, see how far your equipment sits from the pool, see how high above the water level or how low below the water level that the equipment sits, and install the correct size pump and filter for your pool. Properly sized, the equipment only needs to run 8-10 hours. But, even with your properly sized equipment, if you use the pool daily, and at times, multiple times per day, then operate the equipment continuously. Also, regardless of use, if you are in a period of hot temperatures, unbearable humidity, and intense sunlight, operate the equipment continuously. Finally, if you traditionally have problems with maintaining water clarity, allow the equipment to operate continuously.

This issue of equipment run time will constantly be a source of debate. Much of the debate also involves the tap water from your particular region. Some water sources are very volatile (unstable) while other sources remain fixed (stable). Therefore, this is a regionalized issue. Poolmanual.com recommends that you consult your local pool professionals for information on equipment run time for your given region. But remember, if it is hot and humid, if you use the pool daily, or if you battle water chemistry, then allow the equipment to operate continuously-24 hours per day and 7 days per week-regardless of your region.