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How much control do I need for my skimmers?

John Fitzpatrick

13 years ago

New 21,000 gal gunite pool in Boston area. It will have a dual main drain with both drains tÂed to gether with a single run back to the pump. Similarly, both skimmers will be tÂed together with a single run back to the pump. All pipes and valves will be 2.5". ItÂs about 60Â from the main drains to the pump. The equipment pad is about 1Â higher than the pool deck. Pentair VS-3050 variable speed pump. Returns are three in-wall and a PV3 in-floor cleaning system.

I will be able to have separate control over how much water is taken from the main drains versus the skimmers. Do I want to also have individual control over each of my skimmers individually? I can turn each one completely off manually, but IÂm wondering if I should ask the PB to run separate lines so I can adjust them 50-50 of 80-20,etc depending on how the pool circulation works out or wind direction.

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Comments (3)

just-a-pb
13 years ago
Its nice to be able to do that if you want to vac the pool easily, without having to change the valve setting in the skimmer.
John Fitzpatrick
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm not sure I understand. Since they're t'ed together, I can turn them both off together from a valve at the pad. I'm debating whether it's worth it to run them both separately to the pad with individual valves. With our prevailing winds, I expect one to get more stuff than the other. As it stands now, in order to boost the suction from that one, I would have to turn of the other one completely. If I have individual control, I could reduce the flow in the secondary skimmer without shutting it off completely. This should result in higher flow from the main skimmer, but still allow the secondary to get stuff that floats by, correct?
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cascade
13 years ago
Yes, it's worthwhile. I wouldn't do it any other way.

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