Your pool can keep running for a few days with no problems while without a pump. However, know that a standard pool needs a pool running for at least once in 24 hours, or you might notice an algae bloom. So, it's best to have your pump ready as soon as possible.
So if you have to leave it running for a week it shouldn't make a big dent in the electric bill. Having to spend the money on getting the pool back in shape will probably cost more than leaving it on anyway. I would make sure you fill the pool water as high as you can though since you will be gone for a week.
If you don't, the pool will have decreased water flow which means reduced filtration and ultimately, the dreaded algae bloom. The pump basket should be cleared out weekly and even more frequently during the fall and spring when there is more debris in the pool.
While a typical free available chlorine level is recommended at 1-3 parts per million (ppm), without the pump or filter, you should maintain somewhere in the 3-4 ppm range to prevent debris, algae and other problems from potentially developing.
As long as you can see the bottom of the pool at the deep end and FC is above minimum but below SLAM levels, you're good to go. Sounds like you're watching the chemistry well, so go for it!
Pool pumps typically disperse chlorine into the water for you, but it is possible to add chlorine without a pump. The easiest way to do this is with chlorine tablets. They go in a designated floating container and slowly dissolve while floating around the pool. You can also use inline chlorinators.
If you want to activate the pump once a day, start with six hours, but never go lower than five hours, especially in the summer. If your pool is in constant use, you may need to run the pump for up to eight hours per day, frequently checking the water clarity and chemical balance.
Well maintained pool water can last up to 5, maybe even seven years before you need to replace it. This means weekly cleaning, functional filters, and checking ph levels every day.
How Long Can a Submersible Pump Run without Water? You will not cause any damage to the pump if it runs without water for less than 45 to 60 seconds will not cause any damage. You can run the pump dry for a few seconds if you are using it for tank transfer and you would like to empty the tank.
Keep the pump and filter on while you are away.
Most pumps come have an automatic timer that makes this very easy. Set it before you leave to ensure the pool filter system will run at least 8 to 12 hours per day.
To blow up an inflatable pool without a pump, you either need to use an air compressor, a shop-vac, a blow dryer with water bottle, use the large bag method, or you'll need to inflate manually by blowing into the air inlet on the inflatable pool yourself.
I think the answer to your question is about 3-6 days. The problem is that the chlorine that you need to keep the bacteria in check is used up more quickly as the temperature rises, the activity increases, and as sweat and other body stuff is put into the pool.
Dirty water becomes a breeding ground for parasites, mold, and bacterial. The bacteria keep growing if the water is not wiped. Within 48 hours, you will see that the entire surface of the pool is covered with mold. As mentioned above, stagnant water attracts rodents and insects.
You can reuse pool water for up to 3 days! With an adult, at the end of the day skim the top of the pool to remove any bugs and bits and then top up with some fresh water. Use an old bed sheet to cover the pool overnight to keep the water cleaner, this will help to warm it up in the early morning sun too!
It may be cheaper to run the pump at night, but honestly you should run it 1 hour a day per 10 degrees of temperature at least, and it should be during the day. Running the pump at night should only be when you are doing a major chemical treatment such as algae clean-up.
Every pool must turn over at least once a day, so most pool pumps should run approximately 8 hours a day. But here's the thing: you don't have to run your pool pump consecutively. You can choose to run it for three hours in the morning before you leave for work and another 5 hours in the evening.
BUT, if you have to shock your pool during the day in broad daylight, you can still swim after adding shock. It's recommended that you wait one hour after adding shock with the filter running, and then test the water to confirm the pH and chlorine are in the proper range before letting anyone enter the pool.
It takes a lot of chemicals to make pool water safe for swimming. Untreated water can accumulate harmful Escherichia coli and Salmonella bacteria and protozoans such as Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia.
The Bottom Line about Pools and Chlorine
As mentioned above, you could probably swim in a pool without chlorine without any major health issues. However, long-term use of a pool lacking chlorinated H2O could make you sick or, at the very least, contribute to rashes and other types of skin irritation.
Inflating an inflatable swimming pool requires a device that has a compressor that can blow air into the pool sides. You can use a standard vacuum cleaner as the compressor device. A few household tools and supplies, but no special equipment, will be needed.
Fill with Water
Place a garden hose into the pool and turn it on at full speed. Watch the pool as it fills up, making sure that the walls are not bunched up. The inflatable ring will lift the walls up as the water rises.