In-wall skimmer - remote basket option?

[Bosun]

I'm going to be doing some major renovations to an existing lined steel-tank pool. The current Hayward in-wall skimmer is a small residential front-access design that isn't meeting expectations.

I'm hoping to install a wide mouth skimmer, but the deck framing in this area doesn't allow me to install a conventional in-wall skimmer with an attached basket - just no room for the install.

Does anyone have a product recommendation or a solution for a remote basket system? This pool isn't in ground - it's in-deck, meaning I've got good access for fun and features hidden underneath, so long as I can have some flexibility with basket placement.

Should I consider running the surface skimmer draw to another initial filtration unit plumbed in-line before my sand filters?

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Show us pictures of what you are working with and your constraints for suggestions.

The weir door energizes the skimmer, which needs to be at the skimmer's mouth. You can fabricate a downhill sloping trough to create a throat from the skimmer's mouth to the basket, but you will need a way to access the trough on occasion to clean it out.

 

[Bosun]

Thanks for your reply.

Here are a couple marked up plans of what I'm working with.


Existing front-access skimmer location noted with yellow highlights.

The problem lies in that everything above the red hash marks on both photos is largely prohibitive to installing a skimmer with an attached basket - the structural framing of the bathing deck surrounding the pool here prohibits installing a typical in-ground style skimmer unless I tear apart and reframe the deck.

Access below the bathing deck a bit further away from the pool edge is available, but tight.

Adding a skimmer below the red hash marks isn't desired as this is a high-traffic walk-through area, with the exterior of the pool tank clad with nice wood finishing.

This is an extremely high use, small surface area pool. During high occupancy, surface water quality becomes an issue quickly, so additional skimmer capacity is desired. I'm wondering if I can remove the existing skimmer, or add a 2nd skimmer, and fit wide mouth design with a remote basket such that I can get better flow.

This system has a dedicated pump and sand filter (it is #4 in my signature) and I'm exploring further options for enhanced filtration also - so please feel free to offer any suggestions you might have in any regard.

 

[Newdude]

This is an extremely high use, small surface area pool. During high occupancy, surface water quality becomes an issue quickly

This may not be fixable. Wind, splashing or physical bodies in the way all negate skimming no matter how good your circulation was.

 

[Bosun]

This may not be fixable. Wind, splashing or physical bodies in the way all negate skimming no matter how good your circulation was.

That's also my fear.

I'm wondering if just removing the existing skimmer, installing a wide-mouth, and rigging up a trough and remote basket cleanout is my only option.

I'm also considering a sort of in-line leaf filter plumbed in downstream further - not finding many options.

Could upgrade sand filters to glass media, but not sure if it'll have appreciable benefits.

Is the only real solution to improving basic filtration to simply add more filters?

 

[Newdude]

Could upgrade sand filters to glass media, but not sure if it'll have appreciable benefits.

How does that solve a big fat guy hanging out between the return and the skimmer? (or many people with high bather load)

Your problem isn't trapping what goes through the filter but getting it into the skimmer in the first place.

And glass media works no better than clean sand so at best it works 'as good'.

 

[Bosun]

How does that solve a big fat guy hanging out between the return and the skimmer? (or many people with high bather load)

Your problem isn't trapping what goes through the filter but getting it into the skimmer in the first place.

And glass media works no better than clean sand so at best it works 'as good'.

So what you're saying is, I need 28 skimmers circling the entire pool... hmm... plumbing is going to be interesting.

Now I'm wondering if I should just be reporting to ownership that we're stuffed either way - more skimmers just don't help if they can't work as designed. This might be a fool's errand and a waste of time/resources that could be better spent elsewhere. Or we somehow build a massive gutter system in.

 

[Newdude]

Now I'm wondering if I should just be reporting to ownership that we're stuffed either way - more skimmers just don't help if they can't work as designed.

If a bunch of people are in a smaller pool, they will all but stop the surface skimming. One person getting a return massage is enough and they might hang out there for 15 mins before someone else wants a massage.

That said, more chances for it to work better doesn't hurt either.

You can google the prevailing winds and see if they are favorable because they may be a big factor already. You'll be able to present that there will be some reasonable* improvement if the winds favor the easier access area, or allow them to decide if form or function is more important if the winds blow towards the deck.

*no miracles happen either way if folks are packed in there like sardines.