Skimmers/Main Drains/Pool Vac Settings

[FLOMOPOOL]

I'm learning a lot here already - thank you all very much ! Next question:

How should I set my skimmers, main drains and pool vac ? I have 2 skimmers, 2 main drains, and a Hayward Pool Vac.

Right now I have the skimmer closest to the pump (right side one in pool picture) open, but not all the way (right?) and the other skimmer (left side in pool picture) closed. I use this skimmer setup with either the main drains fully open and the pool vac off, or the main drains off and the pool vac fully opens.

During the summer I run the pump 12 hours each day - 8 am - 8 pm. In the "winter" I run it 8 hours each day - 8 am - 4 pm.

Oh, you know I just thought - when I add DE to skimmer after full clean or backwash, I should probably open that skimmer up full right ?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Flo,

You have two skimmers, but you only have one main drain, it just has two covers...

The Far skimmer should be wide open and the Near skimmer open about 90%. In theory you want both skimmers to have the same suction.. Since the near skimmers will always get more suction than the far skimmer, you should adjust the near skimmer so that both skimmers have about the same suction.. (To be honest, it is not a big deal, one way or the other, but there is just no reason to shut off the far skimmer, as it sounds like you are doing.

You really don't even need a main drain, so I'd open it only about 10%

Your problem is that an idiot plumbed your main Drain/Vac as it is impossible to adjust it correctly.. Sigh.. As you say above, your only real option is to run with the main drain off and the Vac on, or the Vac off and main drain on..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wireform]

If someone stole your main drain one night you wouldn't notice a difference. Keep it as above guidance.

 

[FLOMOPOOL]

Flo,

You have two skimmers, but you only have one main drain, it just has two covers...

The Far skimmer should be wide open and the Near skimmer open about 90%. In theory you want both skimmers to have the same suction.. Since the near skimmers will always get more suction than the far skimmer, you should adjust the near skimmer so that both skimmers have about the same suction.. (To be honest, it is not a big deal, one way or the other, but there is just no reason to shut off the far skimmer, as it sounds like you are doing.

You really don't even need a main drain, so I'd open it only about 10%

Your problem is that an idiot plumbed your main Drain/Vac as it is impossible to adjust it correctly.. Sigh.. As you say above, your only real option is to run with the main drain off and the Vac on, or the Vac off and main drain on..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks so much. So why do pools have a main drain if it's not really needed ? I thought the skimmers moved the water at the top of the pool and the main drain moved the water at the bottom of the pool ???

So I open the far skimmer to 100% and the near skimmer to 90% - got it - will do now. With the skimmers at this config, do I also need either main drain open or pool vac open ? I thought you only run the pool vac as needed or at least one day a week if no dirt, etc. on pool floor.

 

[FLOMOPOOL]

If someone stole your main drain one night you wouldn't notice a difference. Keep it as above guidance.

Why do we have a main drain then ?

 

[FLOMOPOOL]

Are the handles in correct positions now for right (near) skimmer 90% open (right side valve in pic); left (far) skimmer 100% open (middle valve in pic) ?

And now the main and pool vac (left valve in pic) are 100% closed right because the middle valve "CLOSED" tab is facing it?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Flo,

You are correct..

Tell me the name of your pool builder.. I ask, because my pump input valve layout is identical to yours.. I do not like it, but it is not so bad that I have tried to change it...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[FLOMOPOOL]

Flo,

You are correct..

Tell me the name of your pool builder.. I ask, because my pump input valve layout is identical to yours.. I do not like it, but it is not so bad that I have tried to change it...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Claffey Pools - Southlake.

So to use the Pool Vac (or main drain) I will have to fully close the middle valve (far skimmer) by turning its handle so its "CLOSE" tab is facing down toward its pipe (= long part of handle is pointing up to the sky).

And I CANNOT use the Pool Vac (or main drain) with the middle valve in any other position other than fully closed right ?

 

[Jimrahbe]

And I CANNOT use the Pool Vac (or main drain) with the middle valve in any other position other than fully closed right ?

Flo,

Generally, you want as much suction as you can get to run the Vac... But, you can try to open the middle valve a little if the vac is working great. The more you open the middle valve, the less suction you will get on the Vac line..

Also, to use the Vac, your Main Drain/Vac valve would have to be set to close off the Main Drain and open the Vac line... How sure are you which pipe is the Vac and which pipe is the main drain? Have you ever used the Vac before?

I did not use Claffey Pools, as they were too rich for my simple pool, but they are one of the better builders in our area...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[FLOMOPOOL]

Flo,

You are correct..

Tell me the name of your pool builder.. I ask, because my pump input valve layout is identical to yours.. I do not like it, but it is not so bad that I have tried to change it...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Claffey Pool - Southlake.

So to use the Pool Vac (or main drain) I will have to fully close the middle valve (far skimmer) by turning its handle so its "CLOSE" tab is facing down toward its pipe (= long part of handle is pointing up to the sky).

And I CANNOT use the Pool Vac (or main drain) with the middle valve in any other position other than fully closed right ?

Flo,

Generally, you want as much suction as you can get to run the Vac... But, you can try to open the middle valve a little if the vac is working great. The more you open the middle valve, the less suction you will get on the Vac line..

Also, to use the Vac, your Main Drain/Vac valve would have to be set to close off the Main Drain and open the Vac line... How sure are you which pipe is the Vac and which pipe is the main drain? Have you ever used the Vac before?

I did not use Claffey Pools, as they were too rich for my simple pool, but they are one of the better builders in our area...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Yes, I put that together in my mind - you want most suction when using Pool Vac, so I'm learning.

Yes, I know the settings for Pool Vac vs. Main Drain, no problem. On my setup, the pipe coming up out of the ground and directly into the valve is my Main Drain and the Pool Vac is the far left pipe that goes into the 90 elbow and then into the valve.

 

[FLOMOPOOL]

In a post I was just reading ... "to save your pump if the water level falls below the skimmers." got me to thinking.

If I have just my 2 skimmers open (= main drain and pool vac are fully closed - it's one valve) and my water drops below my skimmers, will that kill my pump (Hayward 2 HP Super Pump) ?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Flo,

That is exactly like what I have...

But, I never use the Vac line as I have a low voltage robot cleaner..

I like the idea of having a Vac line, in case I ever need it..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PoolStored]

Depends for how long.

The other thread was talking about using a sump pump to drain, instead of using the pool equipment.

In normal operations, if you are maintaining your pool properly, the risk of water falling below the skimmers is low.

We recommend 90% from the skimmers and 10% from the main drain.

Why are you worried about the water getting below skimmer?

 

[FLOMOPOOL]

Depends for how long.

The other thread was talking about using a sump pump to drain, instead of using the pool equipment.

In normal operations, if you are maintaining your pool properly, the risk of water falling below the skimmers is low.

We recommend 90% from the skimmers and 10% from the main drain.

Why are you worried about the water getting below skimmer?

Here in Texas, between the heat and wind, we have to constantly top off our pool water. We can easily lose 1/4" a day. I literally just added 1/2 hour worth, about 1/4". I try to keep the water level between the bottom of the overflow outlet (it's plugged) and the screws 1/2 way up it. That puts it about 1/2 way up the skimmer opening.

 

[FLOMOPOOL]

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