I got a big boy above ground pool installed earlier this year (see signature). For the past few years I was using Intex/Coleman pools, and I had purchased a 12" Intex Sand Filter and Pump to keep those nice and clean. With this new pool, I'd like to utilize that older Intex pump & filter to run accessories for this pool. Primarily a homemade fountain to help cool the water a little, but also potentially hookup my cleaning robot to it so that I could run the robot simultaneously with the big main pump/filter running the skimmer. Currently, I have to choose if I'm using the skimmer or the vacuum.
My main issue is that I do not want to cut a hole in this pool. I did it several times with the soft sided Intex and Coleman, but I don't really want to do it with this metal sided pool. I'm thinking I can just run an intake over the top and down into the water. If I do this, I know I will have to prime the pump when starting it up. I will also need to provide a little protection on the end of the pipe at the intake point. (I don't want an open pipe that could suck in hair or clothing. I'd put some kind of cover/filter/mesh over it for safety, but could be removed to hook up the vacuum hose to it.
I've considered just putting a Tee into the flex PVC tubing my main pump/filter is using, but I hate to split the flow from one 1.5" pipe to two different pumps that both take in 1.5" pipes. I considered trying to attach my new intake to the skimmer box somehow, but the dang thing is curved everywhere below the water line, so I'm just not sure how well I could do that.
Anything else to consider? Any other ideas?
My main issue is that I do not want to cut a hole in this pool. I did it several times with the soft sided Intex and Coleman, but I don't really want to do it with this metal sided pool. I'm thinking I can just run an intake over the top and down into the water. If I do this, I know I will have to prime the pump when starting it up. I will also need to provide a little protection on the end of the pipe at the intake point. (I don't want an open pipe that could suck in hair or clothing. I'd put some kind of cover/filter/mesh over it for safety, but could be removed to hook up the vacuum hose to it.
I've considered just putting a Tee into the flex PVC tubing my main pump/filter is using, but I hate to split the flow from one 1.5" pipe to two different pumps that both take in 1.5" pipes. I considered trying to attach my new intake to the skimmer box somehow, but the dang thing is curved everywhere below the water line, so I'm just not sure how well I could do that.
Anything else to consider? Any other ideas?
For your concern about the open suction line in the pool (safety), perhaps split the suction line with a T under the water. Same concept as with main drains. That way if one port was to get blocked, it's not a 100% vacuum pull because the other line on the other end of the T fitting will continue to pull water. Just a thought.
