Pool Spa combo without spillover

[speeled]

Hello,
What are the alternative way to manage the water in the spa (water level, chemistry) if there cannot be a spillover from spa to pool? In the design i want to go with, the spa will not be a raised one, and because of another design requirement, dont have the option for water flowing from spa over the edge of the wall into the pool. The top of the wall between the pool and spa needs to be the same height as the rest of the spa and pool.
Please share any alternative options.

 

[Jimrahbe]

S,

As a general rule, pools with spas spillover because that is how the spa gets fresh water..

The other option is to have two sets of equipment, one for the spa and another set for the pool..

When the spa is higher than the pool, but an actually spillover can't be used, then you can spill 'over' into a hidden pipe that then empties into the pool.

I am not sure how to do it with both the pool and spa at the same height.. Will the water level in the spa be the same as the water level in the pool??

Why does it have to be this way??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Show us drawings of what you have in mind.

 

[speeled]

Hi Jim, thanks for the reply. For the hidden pipe, is it just a a vertical pipe in the spa wall, which then bends 90 degrees and enters the pool wall from the side?

There will be hard cover for the pool that requires that the coping on the wall between the pool and spa be continuous. I can actually have a hidden pipe under the coping. I believe the pipe needs to be higher than pool water line . So that is an option

If i run the pump where it draws from the spa, filters it and then returns it to the spa, and it is done every day for some period of time, will that be another way to supply fresh water? But i suppose the filtering isnt the only thing. With no spillover, it will make be two separate water bodies and have to maintain chemistry separately.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Can the spa be located within the pool?

 

[Jimrahbe]

S,

When in the spa mode, the water in the spa is 'about' 1 or 2 inches below the top of the spa... During this time the pump is sucking water from the spa drain, pushing it through the filter and heater and then back to the spa.. So, the same water coming in as going out, so the spa level stays about the same.

When in the Pool mode, the water is being sucked from the pool and most of it is returned to the pool, but some of it is returned to the spa.. Since no water is being sucked from the spa, it soon fills up until it spills over into the pool.. The same thing would have to happen with a pipe.. The pipe would have to be higher than the normal spa level..

I have seen many pics of spas 'inside' of pools, with the spa being almost at the same level as the pool water. So there must be a way..

Let's see what @JamesW has to say..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JamesW]

You can use a 2" or 3" hole in the spa wall to allow water to flow into the pool with a 2" or 3" plug that you can put in the hole as needed.

 

[JamesW]

Should my spa have an open hole between pool & spa?

My spa has an open hole, kinda like a return opening between the pool and spa. So whatever my water in the pool is it is the same in the spa. Does this make since? Do I screw on something to close the hole so the spa water can be different? First time owner here. The spa also has it's own...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JamesW]

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

My pool and spa are at the same level. This accommodates the auto cover. There is a small return called a "make-up line" which sends water to the spa when in pool mode. A bit of spa water overflows into the pool all the time in pool mode. Works perfectly.

 

[speeled]

You can use a 2" or 3" hole in the spa wall to allow water to flow into the pool with a 2" or 3" plug that you can put in the hole as needed.

Thats a great idea! Is below the waterline preferred instead of above the waterline?

 

[speeled]

Show us drawings of what you have in mind.

Will post one soon

 

[speeled]

Can the spa be located within the pool?View attachment 632182

That would have been ideal, but i dont have a lot of space inside the pool, and dont have room to lengthen the pool.

 

[JamesW]

Is below the waterline preferred instead of above the waterline?

If you want the pool and spa water at the same level, then below the waterline will work best.

You can use a makeup line to provide a slow and continuous amount of flow to the spa and the equalizer line will allow the water to flow to the pool.

When you want to heat the spa, just screw in the plug.

The plug does not even need to be watertight.

 

[speeled]

If you want the pool and spa water at the same level, then below the waterline will work best.

You can use a makeup line to provide a slow and continuous amount of flow to the spa and the equalizer line will allow the water to flow to the pool.

When you want to heat the spa, just screw in the plug.

The plug does not even need to be watertight.

Thank you for the help!

 

[JamesW]

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[JamesW]

Note that the hole needs to be sized according the the desired flow rate and the amount of water level in the spa that is acceptable to be above the pool.

For example, if the flow into the spa is 15 GPM and the hole is 1 foot of 1.5" PVC pipe, then the water level in the spa will be about 0.18" above the pool water level.

1.5 x 12/100 = 0.18" = (about 3/16") (4.572 mm).

For 25 GPM through 1 foot of 2" pipe, you get 1.2 x 12/100 = 0.144" (3.6576 mm).

So, a 2" PVC pipe with an FTA (Female Threaded Adaptor) on both ends will allow the spa to get continuous fresh water and the threads will allow you to plug the hole from either side and heat the spa independently.