Skimmer basket not quite skimming

[rj2222]

So had an old Intex skimmer basket that fits on the Coleman/Bestway port, but since this pump splits the inlet into two ports, the skimmer basket doesn't seem to skim as well as it did on the Intex where it was one inlet that was stronger. Or at least that's my theory.

Is a half strength barely skimming skimmer basket even worth it, or better to just switch it back to the lower grated inlet? I do like the idea of it getting stuff off the top of the water but wonder if I'm hurting the proper filtering in the long run.

 

[AUSpool]

If it’s running on half suction it’s only running at half capacity for the skimmer but it’s not going to cause any long term affect to the filtering capacity because that loss is compensated by the second inlet. I think you’ve got an overall improvement to filtering capacity.

We see the same on normal skimmers when using VS pumps on low speed. I’d think that some skimming is better then no skimming and with the second intake you have a fail safe in case the skimmer ever gets blocked.

I would be a little careful to ensure nothing gets stuck in it and keep any children away from it.

 

[kellyfair]

I agree with Steve 100%. Better some skimming than no skimming, and it won’t hurt your pump at all.

With my old Intex, I put a valve on the second intake so I could partially close it when I wanted to boost skimming. I never closed it off completely because I liked the assurance that my pump would get water flow if skimmer was blocked.

 

[rj2222]

Ok thanks. I'm pretty good about keeping it clean and clear, but was just worrisome because on my old pool with only one inlet total that the skimmer was on, it was real noticeable it was skimming.