Can I close my bottom drain?

[dschribs]

I have tons of pollen and little "tree seed helicopters" on the surface of my pool right now. The skimmer isn't able to keep up so I'm manually skimming a few times a day.

Can I shut off my bottom drain completely for a few days to increase the power of my skimmer??

 

[Richard320]

Yes, you can. I throttled mine back just to the point where I can detect a difference in the turbulence in the skimmer from no drain, so it's hardly any flow through the drain at all. Just enough to minimize temperature stratification.

 

[dschribs]

That explains it.

I have my bottom drain opened 100% at the moment. That will change as soon as I get home from work today.

Thanks!!

 

[pooldv]

Yep, I keep mine about 80% skimmer 20% drain. That way if the skimmer clogs up the pump can still get water from the drain. I only switch to 100% drain when I am brushing. I brush to the drain and don't have to vacuum. Handy! Especially since I don't have a vacuum! :-D