Skimmer "settings" for vacuuming inground pool?

[VinylDelight]

My pool is brown from a flood and I watched some videos and read a few links on vacuuming, but I am unclear about 2 things:
The skimmers have 2 holes but only one fits a hose, but there is a disc that you can slide to open and close the hole... how should this be set on the skimmer that is not being attached to the vacuum?
Question 2... does it matter which skimmer should you attach the vacuum? In my scenario I have a deep end skimmer and a shallow end skimmer, although the deep end skimmer sits slightly but noticeably lower.

Bonus question... is there a best or very good vacuum head to buy online for a 28k rectangle vinyl pool? My pool/house came with one but it feels of questionable quality and I am achieving no "suction" feeling when I vacuum (to waste at this stage). I did order a vacuum plate in hoping that helps.

Thanks so much!

 

[Texas Splash]

First question - Slide the disc/diverter to close the hole not being used for the vacuum.

Second question - Vacuum from the skimmer closest to the equipment pad. Hose "should" go into the hole closest to the pad and you close-off the other hole that faces the pool or other skimmer.

Bonus question - There are various makes/models, but I use a very basic manual vacuum head that you can see in Post #1 in the thread below.

How Clear is TFP Clear? Let's See (Pics Only Please).

How clear should my water be? A very common question. Here is mine on a calm morning where I could finally vacuum. Yes I know, I'm still manually vacuuming. It took me 7 years to finally get an SWG, I'm working on a robot. :) So now let's see your water clarity.

www.troublefreepool.com

Hope that helps.

 

[Newdude]

is there a best or very good vacuum head to buy online for a 28k rectangle vinyl pool

For a VS pump I find the triangle brush head is best. You can dial the RPMs to the sweet spot where it has plenty of suction without sticking to the floor. It kills two birds with one stone and brushes in the process.

With a SS pump triangle head wants to stick to the floor often and then the rectangle with wheels is the right choice.

 

[wireform]

I just bought THIS only because I was vacuuming a green pool without knowing anything about the pool layout and it was a vinyl pool and didn't want to suck up the liner which is the biggest concern here. Works well as it was was designed for. I still use this NON RRECOMMENDED one in the liners pools but you need to be very experienced and have a very clear view of the floor while using it.

 

[VinylDelight]

So how strong should the suction be? I can freely lift up the vacuum head, and in fact I press downward slightly, and even moreso on the pull back stroke.

Also, that circle plate that can close a hole in the skimmer, how should that be set in the skimmer that is not connected to the vacuum? Currently, it is taking me a long time to vacuum because I am sucking out so much water and 2 garden hoses on full throttle just dont keep up. I get about 30 minutes from water top of skimmer to bottom of skimmer (preventing pump from sucking air).

 

[Newdude]

So how strong should the suction be?

Enough to get the sand and silt with a pass. The angle of the pole really matters and sometimes I have to reposition myself to be reaching for a further area in the deep end than sticking in a closer area. If the pole goes more on the vertical side, it's more apt to stick from the weight of it pushing down.

If I lower the RPMs so that happens less, then it doesn't suck as well, so it's a dance to find the sweet spot of pump speed and technique.

 

[wireform]

You can vac through your filter not to lose water and you'll have to clean it when the filter can't handle it anymore but then you're at your own leisure without worrying about wasting water.