No bottom drain cover.

[pabeader]

I don't have a cover on my 'bottom' drain. It looks like a return without an eyeball insert. I'm looking for ideas for a cover that won't restrict the flow. It isn't really in the bottom, it's about 6 inches up in the curve between the bottom and the end.



please excuse the picture quality, IPhone at full zoom. yes the water is BLUE tonight. yes, I have to vacuum again in the morning

 

[Texas Splash]

I wonder if you couldn't buy one of those after-market drain covers and then use an underwater epoxy to "tack" it in place? Something discrete so it doesn't look cheesy or visible.

 

[OldPoolMan]

It looks like it's a 1 1/2 threaded fitting. There are al kinds of threaded grates that can go on it. A good pool store or online will have lots of options for your pool.

 

[pabeader]

No threads. Just a few circles for a press fit something or other.

 

[pooldv]

I don't think that is a bottom drain. It looks like an equalizer tube that goes up to the skimmer. Is it 2-3' or so below the skimmer opening? Shouldn't be any need for a cover on that.

 

[pabeader]

nope, it's a drain. That's where I sweep sand and stuff and it gets sucked into the filter. I'll try to get a better picture. It has it's own PVC line back to pump.

 

[pabeader]

Here we go. Oh and by the way, it IS threaded. I just never looked that close.

 

[Texas Splash]

Then I'd go with what OldPoolMan stated in post #3. Sounds like a good option to try.

 

[pabeader]

First thing I tried. Long before I posted here. I can find bottom drain covers, too big. I can find all kinds of return eyeballs and things like that. Not what I'm looking for. Wife and I have both had a foot sucked onto it. Somebody, more than once or twice.... Makes the pump VERY unhappy when that happens.

 

[Texas Splash]

I wonder if something like this for a spa would work:Jacuzzi Hot Tub Spa Suction Fittings - Waterway Virgina Graeme Baker Compliant

I know this one is about 3: in size. I wasn't sure what size your is.

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Maybe something like this: 4" Round Hockey Puck Sumpless Suction Outlet Covers [4 Round Hockey Puck] - 1 Stop Pool Supply

 

[Qwaxalot]

google spa or hot tub suction fittings.

 

[pabeader]

It's only 1-1/2 like a return. Been googling for the last hour.

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I sure appreciate all the folks looking at his with me!!!

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I think this might work. Sticks out a little farther than I would like but not too many choices.

 

[Texas Splash]

Good luck Bob. Beats getting your foot sucked into that hole and scarring the heck of everyone.

 

[pooldv]

Very interesting.

How about this?
Waterway Ultra Hi-flo Suction Fitting, 1-1/2 Slip (640-3490v) - INYOPools.com


or

http://www.poolspahelp.com/vgb_spa_suction_fittings.htm

 

[OldPoolMan]

I guess I rock? Or whatever it is that young people say these days? LOL?

 

[pooldv]

I guess I rock? Or whatever it is that young people say these days? LOL?

LOL! OMP rocks!

 

[Crackerjack4u]

Yeah that getting your feet sucked into the drain is scary. There's been people who have gotten their hair sucked in the bottom drains, and couldn't get loose causing them to drown.

I read an article one time about someone who went under the water, sat on the drain, and it sucked their intestines out of their body. So yeah, anything like that definitely needs some sort of cover over it. Here is a link from snopes.com verifying that the intestines be sucked out by a pool drain is very possible. At the end of the snopes article it does also say that it is "preventable by installation of semi-permanent, anti-vortex grates"

I wasn't sure what exactly Antivortex grates looked like, I assume they are designed differently to prevent the tornado effect from occurring. I have seen drain covers that are solid on the top and are raised like on a base where everything goes under the cap into the drain and I was wondering if this is the type of cap they are talking about ?

Anyway, I looked it up and here is just one example http://www.epoolshop.com/Hayward_Anti-Vortex_Main_Drain_Cover_WGX1048E.aspx. I didn't see any that screw into the piece that's already there though? But the one you picked out looks like with the holes in it etc. that it very close to this design. I just want to make sure you guys are safe in there once the cover is in place.

Anyway here's the snopes link if you want to see it. http://msgboard.snopes.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=91;t=000063;p=0

Have a nice day.