Swimming Pool Pumps for Domestic and Commercial Pools

We stock four ranges because, between them, they cover a wide range of pool installations from above ground pools with the Plastica AG, through to larger scale commercial pools with the Plastica Argonaut in 3-phase.

230V single-phase is the standard domestic supply for smaller, typical home pool pumps, while 400V three-phase is used for larger or commercial pumps where higher power, better efficiency, and smoother operation are required.

We don’t stock budget pumps built to fail after a season or two. Every model in our range has been selected for its proven reliability and suitability for real-world pool systems.

Plastica iFlo (entry-level, smaller pools)

The iFlo is the most affordable pump in our range. It is a simple, reliable, cost-effective pool pump designed for smaller residential pools and straightforward circulation loops. British-engineered by Plastica, who have been manufacturing pool equipment in the UK since 1972. Easy to fit, easy to replace, with a 2-year warranty on the electronics. The right starting point for a standard domestic pool when budget is a priority.

Plastica AG Series (quiet, above-ground and ornamental)

Mid-range Plastica pump with ultra-quiet operation at approximately 55 dB. Designed for above-ground pools and ornamental ponds where low noise matters. Built with materials that handle saltwater, so suitable for salt-chlorinated systems as well as standard chlorinated pools. The quietest pump we sell.

Plastica Argonaut AV Series (premium, larger and commercial pools)

Plastica's premium pool pump. Higher flow capacity, heavier-duty build, and capable of handling saltwater. Designed for larger residential pools and commercial systems where the pump is running long hours every day. Choose Argonaut if your pool is over 60,000 litres, runs more than 8 hours a day, or needs a pump built for sustained continuous duty.

For a fuller comparison of how iFlo, AG and Argonaut sit alongside each other in the Plastica range, read our guide: Understanding the Plastica Range of Swimming Pool Pumps.

Speroni SWIMM (high head, continuous duty)

Italian-engineered by Speroni, the SWIMM is a continuous-duty pool pump and one of our most popular models thanks to its high-head performance. It handles systems with long pipe runs, heaters, salt cells and high-resistance filters that would push other pumps off their working curve. The models cover everything from compact pools to larger domestic and commercial systems. Removable filter basket, inspection cover, and both 230V and 400V models available.

The three numbers that matter

Three specifications determine whether a pool pump will perform well in your system. Each of our product pages publishes them clearly.

Flow rate

Flow rate is the volume of water the pump moves per hour. The industry standard is to circulate the entire pool volume once every 8 hours. So if your pool holds 40,000 litres, you need a pump rated to move at least 5,000 litres per hour at your system's working head.

Bigger is not better. Oversized pumps cost more to run, overpower the filter, strain the seals, and fail early. Matching the flow rate is the single most important decision.

Head

Head is the resistance the pump has to push against. It includes the height it has to lift water, plus friction loss from pipework, filters, heaters and fittings. It is measured in metres.

As a working guide, 10 metres of head is roughly equivalent to 1 bar of pressure. The total head for any given pool depends on its size, pipe runs, filtration setup and return height, so it varies significantly from one installation to the next. The pump's published flow rate must be the flow rate at your head, not the headline figure quoted on the box, which is the maximum at zero head.

Long pipe runs, sand filters, heat pumps and salt cells all add to total head. Systems with high total head are where the Speroni SWIMM tends to outperform other pumps in the category.

Voltage

All four of our pool pump have standard 230V single-phase mains supply variants available, with 400V 3 phase options in the Plastica Argonaut and Speroni Swimm ranges.

If you are replacing a like-for-like pump, voltage is rarely an issue, but it is worth checking the existing pump's plate before ordering.

Key considerations when selecting a swimming pool pump

• Flow rate at working head: circulate the pool volume in 8 hours, calculated at your system's actual head, not the pump's maximum.
• Pool type: chlorinated, above-ground, ornamental and saltwater pools all have different requirements. Saltwater specifically demands the Plastica AG or Argonaut series.
• Filter compatibility: the pump must not exceed the filter's maximum flow rating.
• Connection size: most domestic pumps use 1.5" or 2" unions.
• Voltage: 230V or 400V

How a swimming pool pump works

Three components do the work, and understanding them will tell you why a pump fails and how to extend the next one's life.

• Electric motor: spins at high speed on a 230V supply, driving the impeller. This is the part most likely to burn out if the pump is undersized for the system or starved of water through a blocked basket.
• Impeller: creates the pressure that pulls water through the strainer, pushes it through the filter, and returns it to the pool. Our pumps use thermoplastic impellers on stainless-steel shafts, the combination that resists corrosion and fatigue.
• Pump basket: the first line of defence. Catches leaves, hair and grit before they reach the impeller. A clogged basket is a common cause of premature pump failure.

Pool, pond and saltwater uses

Although designed for chlorinated swimming pools, our pumps cover a wider range of applications:

• Domestic chlorinated pools: any of the four ranges, sized to pool volume.
• Commercial and leisure pools: Plastica Argonaut or Speroni SWIMM 300T and 4000T.
• Above-ground pools: Plastica AG (quiet) or iFlo (cost-effective).
• Ornamental ponds: Plastica AG runs continuously and quietly enough for garden installations.
• Saltwater pools: Plastica Argonaut or AG only, built to handle the corrosive nature of salt.

Replacing a broken swimming pool pump

dispatch on a next working day service for orders placed before 4pm.

If your existing pump has run reliably for many years, a like-for-like replacement is often a sensible option. However, if it failed prematurely or struggled to keep the pool clear, it was likely the wrong pump for the system in the first place, so a quick sanity check is worthwhile before replacing.

It’s also worth noting that many pumps have been rebranded or updated over time. A direct equivalent is often available even if the original model is no longer listed.

Why buy your swimming pool pump from us

• Specialist pump supplier since 2012, part of Flood Protection Solutions Ltd, with engineers in the team, not call-centre staff.
• Trusted by the Environment Agency, the NHS and councils nationwide. The same pumps we ship to a domestic customer in Surrey go to public-sector frameworks.
• Next-day delivery from Nottinghamshire. Orders before 4pm dispatched the same working day.

Not sure which pool pump you need? Use our free calculator

Choosing the right swimming pool pump comes down to two things: flow rate and head. Your pump must circulate all the water in your pool through the filtration system within a set period, typically 8 hours for a domestic pool, and it must do so against the resistance of your pipework, filter, and fittings combined. Get either wrong and the pump will either struggle to keep the water clean or wear out prematurely.

We have a step-by-step guide and video on how to choose a swimming pool pump which walks you through the process manually in 5 easy steps. Our calculator below takes this further.

It works through the same flow rate calculation but also factors in an estimated total head based on your suction lift, filtration system resistance, pipework, and return height, then identifies pumps from our range that meet both requirements simultaneously.

Please note: all results are indicative only. The calculator uses simplified assumptions and a linear pump curve approximation. Before purchasing, always verify the pump’s performance against its published curve at your required head, and check that the pump’s inlet and outlet sizes are compatible with your existing pipework and fittings.

We can provide indicative guidance based on the information available, but this does not constitute a design or engineering review. If you require a detailed assessment or formal specification, this can be arranged as a separate paid instruction, typically delivered by the engineers at FPS Environmental Ltd.

Below is a short video, How to Choose a New Swimming Pool Pump in 5 Easy Steps, which explains the basics of pump selection in a simple, practical way, focusing mainly on flow rate. It’s intended as a guide to help you understand the theory, but it is indicative only and does not account for system head or friction losses. We can’t specify a pump remotely without understanding the full site setup, pipework, and system resistance.