Replace bottom and side drains with single low wall drain

[DOMO]

Hi. We may be replacing our fiberglass pool (VERY long story for another time) and I would like to get thoughts on a different low drain system. Our current set up today involves a Paramount MDX bottom drain, which is plumbed in conjunction with a Paramount SDX sidewall 'safety' drain, both of which feed into a deck debris canister, before feeding back to the pump/equipment pad. There is also a small (1/5 or 2") 'equalizer' opening high on the pool wall which feeds water into the top of the debris canister.

Our pool is only a 10,000 gallon fiberglass with a 5'9" deep end, and therefore, I think this set-up, and even a bottom drain for that matter, is overkill. The system also does not really draw much debris into the deck canister, and the whole system is a collosal PITA to winterize! Also, for such a small pool, the bottom drain is aesthetically unpleasing and kind of 'in the way' on a 5'+ deep end floor (both for feet and the cleaner robot gets stuck the bottom drain all the time, very frustrating!). That said, I do like the idea of moving low water through the filter system. I am thinking of a single sidewall drain that is low on the deep end wall (but not on the floor) which feeds directly back to the filter (ie no deck canister).

Greatly appreciate any thoughts/suggestions.

 

[DOMO]

hi all, just following up to see if anyone has thoughts on this post? should this be in the construction forum? thanks!

 

[JasonLion]

Sounds good to me.

There are some advantages to a true bottom drain, but they are all minor. A true bottom drain makes it easier to fully drain the pool, and has some (very small) advantages in circulation pattern compared to a low side drain. Of course many people don't have any kind of low drain at all, and they do fine.

A side wall drain will almost certainly need to be a dual drain, not a big deal but likely to have a little more visual impact (depending on placement).

 

[DOMO]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Given that it's a fiberglass pool, we really should never drain it, but in the event we do/need to, I'm ok with using a submersible pump (only 10k gallons).

Is the reason for dual sidewall drains due to safety/redudancy laws? If so, your point about aesthetics may lead me to scrap the idea all together and just go with a skimmer and my robot cleaner!

One additional (stupid) question; should we go with a sidewall drain (or 2), do these need to be mounted on a flat surface of the pool? There are very few flat surfaces of the pool walls due to the small nature and free form shape, so wondering how flat the area needs to be to mount the drain covers, etc. Thanks!

 

[JasonLion]

There are ways around needing dual drains, but they are a bit involved and I don't really recommend them. Using an SVRS eliminates the need for dual drains. However SVRS systems are both mildly expensive and can be trouble prone so I don't really recommend them.

The surface where you mount the drain don't need to be literally flat, but it does need to be fairly low curvature. The fiberglass needs to be able to bend enough to present a flat rim at the point of attachment of the drain fitting. Fiberglass has a fair bit of flex, but pushing it too far creates stress points, which are in effect weak spots. How that works out in practice depends on a number of details difficult to resolve one way or the other here. Your builder should have a much better idea of what is possible in your specific situation.

 

[mas985]

If it were my pool, I wouldn't bother. You are creating another hole in the pool and I doubt you will see any benefit in a 6' deep pool.

 

[DOMO]

hi all, i'm starting to lean towards no bottom drain. jasonlion, thanks for your last reply. i hear you re: low curvature for placement of a drain, and we don't want to bend the fiberglass in any way!

mas985 makes a good point as well (and if you knew our history, we have enough holes in our pool!). it's a small pool, i run a robot, and it will make closing process much easier. also, we have a 6 return Paramount Swingjet system, which helps circulate water top to bottom.

oh, and i would not bet on my builder having any good insight or expertise! story for another time but let's just say that's why we may be replacing the whole thing.