Valves for Waterfeatures

[Peiloy]

Hi,
I am in the planning stages of a new pool which will be about 15,000 Gallons. I am planning on having one bubbler on a shelf, two laminars and about 36" of sheer. I am also planning on using a Hayward Ecostar. This pump will be for main return jets and waterfeatures. Should I use a three way valve to divert water from the return jets to the sheer and have the laminars and jets on separate valves? Or should I have all water features on separate valves so that they can run together with the return jets when on?

Thanks for the help!

 

[JoyfulNoise]

If any of the features are open-ended, low head type features (your sheer descents are like that), then I would suggest a completely separate plumbing loop with their own wall intakes and returns. You would also want to use an appropriately sized waterfall pump (lower head and high flow rate) to drive them. Open features like those need flow, not pressure. Save your pool pump for the pool returns and bubblers which are higher head. I’d also put everything on adjustable 3-way valves so you can precisely dial in the flow you need to each. Maybe post up a plumbing diagram and others can help.

 

[Peiloy]

If any of the features are open-ended, low head type features (your sheer descents are like that), then I would suggest a completely separate plumbing loop with their own wall intakes and returns. You would also want to use an appropriately sized waterfall pump (lower head and high flow rate) to drive them. Open features like those need flow, not pressure. Save your pool pump for the pool returns and bubblers which are higher head. I’d also put everything on adjustable 3-way valves so you can precisely dial in the flow you need to each. Maybe post up a plumbing diagram and others can help.

Thanks for the help. Ill get a diagram done. Would it be ok for the laminars to be on the pool pump too?

 

[Peiloy]

This is what I have sketched up. If I am thinking of this the wrong way please let me know.

 

[PoolGate]

This is what I have sketched up. If I am thinking of this the wrong way please let me know.View attachment 75935

Looks good but I don't think you need a "dialin" valve for the regular returns. Doesn't hurt though! Also you need a check valve after the heater but before the salt cell.

I am not that familiar with the laminar jets but might be good to think about separate runs for each of them to be able to adjust flow accordingly. That could be a 3 way valve that puts both off, one or the other off, or balances as needed between the 2.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

You don't need the adjustable valves on the returns. Once you figure out the open-position of the automated valve that gets you the best flow, you will simple change the cam-stops inside the valve driver so that the valve is only CLOSED or OPEN to the stop.

Also, how many returns are going to this pool? You really want to have at least 3 or 4 dedicated returns and then put the "features" in. When a pool is not being used or you're not having a party, you simply want to draw water in from your skimmer/MD and then return it to the pool through standard eyeball wall returns. You don't want to have to run bubblers or laminars to return water.

When spec'ing the waterfall pump, you're going to need to know the flow-rate required by each sheer descent and then the size and run length of the plumbing for it so you can make sure the pump is adequately sized. Each sheer should have it's own plumbing run back to the pump and there should be a ball valve there so you can tune the flow. Otherwise, you can have one sheer that's fed too much water and one too little.

 

[Peiloy]

Thanks for the help guys. Yes my returns are going to be four or five. I didn’t realize that about the actuators, so that will help to remove the redundant valves. I was thinking of putting in three sheers at 12” each. I have a question on the sheers though. They will all be on one wall. Can I do one run to the wall and then put a manifold with a gate valve on each run to its sheer? I am working with a limited equipment area so if I can do this it would be preferable so I don’t have as many valves in the pump area. I’ll size the waterfall pump appropriately. I imagine with the gate valves I will be able to balance the flow, and they will be accessible behind the wall to tune.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Thanks for the help guys. Yes my returns are going to be four or five. I didn’t realize that about the actuators, so that will help to remove the redundant valves. I was thinking of putting in three sheers at 12” each. I have a question on the sheers though. They will all be on one wall. Can I do one run to the wall and then put a manifold with a gate valve on each run to its sheer? I am working with a limited equipment area so if I can do this it would be preferable so I don’t have as many valves in the pump area. I’ll size the waterfall pump appropriately. I imagine with the gate valves I will be able to balance the flow, and they will be accessible behind the wall to tune.

One run is ok, just make sure that the feeder line is large enough in diameter and then build the manifold when you get to the wall. You want to keep the head loss to a minimum as water feature pumps are typically lower head. Not everyone that builds in sheers leaves enough room for access behind the wall so that's why individual runs to the pump are needed. If you have the room to hide the valves and manifold, then fine. Normally ball valves are fine for tuning flow but if you want to go with more expensive gate-valves, that's fine too.

 

[Peiloy]

Great! I will use 2” all the way to the wall. I have about three feet behind the wall as there will be a planter running behind it with palms.

 

[PoolGate]

I would use PVC gate valves as well.