derek 70,
If you use your existing 2hp pump for the jets, I would do the following:
21/2" split suction
21/2" return to jets(5 or 6 depending on size of spa). You will use jets for heating spa.
2" for air line to blower

You might think about using your existing pump as a jet pump and replace the filter pump with a smaller one. A 10,000 gal pool will work fine with a 1/2 hp pump. For a separate jet pump you will need:
2" split suction(plumb to suction side of pump with 3-way valve)
21/2" split suction for jet pump
11/2" heat return(plumb to return side after heater with 3-way valve)
21/2" return for jets
2" for air
Good luck.

(1)2.5" suction from &(1)2" to the spa. I would reccommend adding a second pair of drains in the wall of the pool now while you have the deck removed. they may be valuble now or in the future. No need for a bigger equip. slab, you only need to change plumbing by adding more valves.

Thank you for the responses!

Another question if you would.....I need to replace the skimmer box as I found it had been leaking for quite sometime now. Should I put a single port skimmer and run the main drain line and skimmer line to the equip. pad to a 3 way valve for suction adjustment? Or replace with a 2 port like what is there now. One problem I am having is the pool was built in the late 60's, I'm guessing the prevailing winds blew in the opposite direction then as the skimmer box is at the wrong end of the pool the way the wind blows now.
{{!gwi}}
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Here's my plan.............looking for do's and dont's on this

{{!gwi}}

Run seperate SK and MD lines back to the equip., as more suction,the better. If the new skimmer has a second port cap it off.

Equip. plans look good as it apears you have sidewall suction for the waterfeatures. If not, add a filter.

Thanks for adding pics.. They always help.

Thank you! Yes, sidewall suction for the 3 18" features. Would you recommend putting in a second skimmer on the downwind side of the pool and tying together the 2 suction lines at the pad before entering valves to the pump? If yes, should I run 1.5" from both (skimmers only) and tee to a 2" or 2.5" before the valve?

Again, the more suction the better. I think you've got the idea. You will end up with a cold joint when you pour new concrete arond the skimmer. Clean the existing concrete well and apply a bonding agent first. Despite this, plan on possibly having to patch a leak where the SK meets the concrete annually.

Move the return eyeballs or downjets to help with the circulation also.

derek 70,
Too many 3-way valves. Line up all pool suction lines on one side of the 3-way valve and spa suction on the other side. Use 2-way valves on each of the suction lines from the pool to help adjust flow or vacuum pool(thru skimmer).

On the return side I like to plumb the Salt Gen. after the 3-way on the pool side. I'd also put the return for the spa circulation(Pool mode) after the 3-way as well. On the spa return side you would have the hot water return for heating the spa. Good luck.

Thanks for the help everyone, I finished removing the old skimmer and found there was no slurry/mortar underneath the skimmer throat, was plenty of water deposits from the leaking. To clean the area I was thinking of using muriatic acid, rinse well, then apply w/ bonding agent. As far as repairing annually are we talking about using silicone/rubber around the lip of the skimmer box where plastic meets the tile/grout joints?

golfgeek, thanks for the advise, I will post a new drawing to make sure I'm on the same page.

Here's my new plan with a few questions on this...

1. Will the 1.5" spa return be enough for the spillover?

2. How to terminate 1.5" in spa if using the 2hp for jets?

3. Am I wrong with having 3 M.D. in spa?

4. The 2 ways on the pool side suction...can I use PVC ball valves or are the Jandy type better for flow, they will probably never be adjusted once set.

5. I don't understand why the salt gen. is AFTER the 3-way and not before....will the spa get enough chlorine from the pool water?

I understood the suction side changes with no problem, however the return side was confusing me so my drawing could be way off...please advise! and thanks again.

{{!gwi}}

I think you are starting to overthink this.

Go back to plan A. But on the suction side of the pump you have a valve marked J.V.. Place all spa suction on one side, pool on the other.

As far as the returns we have:

Theory A: You will overchlorinate the spa when in spa mode. Therefore you should relocate the cell to the pool return.

My theory: When using the spa you have more people in less water at high temperature, therefore you need more chlorine. By moving the cell to the pool return the spa will no longer be sanitized except by the chlorine residual. You will be quickly sharing bathwater. This may not be a problem if its just you and your spouse, but, everyone at the party?

Will/do you have a control system?

I assume the spa is to the left, as it is not in the pics..

Plan "A" will heat the spa thru the 1.5" line, if I read this correctly. Does this return thru any of the jets or a just single "eyeball"? I was told on this forum to return everything thru all of my jets.

The experts will let you know how well plan "A" will work.

As Robocop said, "They'll fix you, they fix everything."

Thanks all, the spa is going to be to the right in the picture and will spill into the pool (it is a giant hole at this point).

The control system I have is the Jandy Aqualink RS (PDA).

Most of the time it will be just me and my spouse.

I added a 3 way to the return line before the check valve coming out of the filter (before the heater) so that the main pump can supply the 1.5" to the spa (spillover and chlorinate if I move the salt gen.) while the 2hp pump heats the spa and supplies the jets. I have 2 Hayward pumps, both are "Northstars" 1hp & 2hp.

With the setup this way I should be able to chlorinate the spa while using and if it gets to be too much can divert or just shut off the main pump.

I probably am overthinking this but I don't want to be stuck with what I've got and not be happy with it once the decking is poured.

{{!gwi}}

derek 70,
The jet pump is plumbed directly from the spa to the pump and back to the spa jets. No heating or filtering with this pump.
A spa with a spillway does not require a skimmer in the spa. It's useless. The spillway provides the means to push debris into the pool.
The pool return side(normal filtration mode) should have a return line going to the spa. The heat return can be used for this purpose by adding a tee and a check valve.
Main drain(suction) lines are split at the spa or at the pool for safety. Your spa will most likely have 4 separate drain grates. 2 for the split suction for filtration and 2 for split suction for the jet pump.
Good luck.

Thank you for the clarification golfgeek, it's much appreciated!

OK. I'm looking at derek's diagram and it looks like the spa does not get filtered directly. Only spillover. Unless more drains are added as golfgeek suggests. 4 drain grates in the spa? I have a similar situation (seperate pumps for pool and spa). How would you get dirt out of the spa short of hooking up a vacuum?

Disregard my previous post. I just looked at the diagram again and I was wrong. Sorry.