Of course it does when it comes to pool pumps. The Summer Escapes 18’ x 48’ easy set pool comes with 1,000 gallon per hour pump for $279.99 but Walmart’s Sun ’N Sand comes with a 1,500 gallon per hour pump for $299. Both pumps are undersized but spend the extra $20 and get the bigger pump.
Why does the size the matter? The bigger the pump the more suction to get out the grass and bugs that choose to die in your pool. Any of these pumps will filter and circulate the water but these small pumps will not get out small floating leafs and bugs. This will cause you to spend more time skimming and less time swimming.
The pump suction will also drive your vacuum that comes with many of the pool kits. Some come with a water hose powered vacuum but many will run off your pump. The bigger the pump the better job the vacuum does and more time you get to play.
Our Intex 18’ x 48’ metal frame pool came with 1,500 gallon per hour pump. It was just okay so when my husband ran over the electric cord with lawn mower, I did not freak out. Instead this May right before I set up the pool, I purchased a 4,000 gallon per hour pump on Ebay. This pump is great. We spend maybe 5 to 10 minutes skimming instead of at least 30 minutes.
More Power, Not Always Better! I have to admit the 4,000 gallon per hour pump was a little overkill. When I hooked up the vacuum to the pump, the vacuum could not get the pump enough water so it sucked close the value on the pool. I am not sure if it was because I used the old intake and outtake hardware instead of switching to the ones that came with the new pump. The design is a little different. We solved the problem by purchasing dust buster stand alone vacuum. That is a whole another story so stay tuned.
