I have a 16ftx4ft round pool. The only intake it has is the skimmer. I'm thinking about adding a second suction line lower in the water so that more of the water gets filtered instead of just the top couple of inches from the skimmer. Has anyone done this and if so how difficult is it? I'm new to these forums and not totally sure how to find what i need, so if there is a thread out there talking about this already, could someone please tell me how to get there.
Adding second intake to above ground pool.
- Thread starter TVillien
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,759
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
I would say a more common above ground pool upgrade typically involves a thru-wall wide-mouth skimmer which is usually more than adequate for water movment and surface debris collection. Is that what you have now? If so, owners would them usually focus more on adding return jets to help circulate water around. That seems to provide more overall benefits. However for your question specifically, you can use the search function at the top of the page. When you click on "Search", you can also hit "Advanced" for more options. Hope that helps give you more ideas. Thanks for using the forum.
By the way, don't forget to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. It will come in handy later.
I would say a more common above ground pool upgrade typically involves a thru-wall wide-mouth skimmer which is usually more than adequate for water movment and surface debris collection. Is that what you have now? If so, owners would them usually focus more on adding return jets to help circulate water around. That seems to provide more overall benefits. However for your question specifically, you can use the search function at the top of the page. When you click on "Search", you can also hit "Advanced" for more options. Hope that helps give you more ideas. Thanks for using the forum.By the way, don't forget to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. It will come in handy later.
We have a smaller AGP pool and we just turn the return eye down so that the water is totally circulated we also use a vacuum that pulls the lower water during cleanings.i turn mine down while vacuuming as well, but i still don't find the stuff in the middle gets filtered enough. Only the top couple of inches, and the bottom that gets vaccumed. that still leaves 40 inches or so just suspended, not really getting filtered, unless i use floculant to drop it down to vaccum up
That is what i have. i just find there is still lots of stuff free floating, that don't reach the skimmer, and also don't fall to get vacuumed, unless i use floculant i just feel that if i had a suction line midway up, my water would be filtered more effeciently. I have a 16' round by 48' deep, summer waves pool, with a side skimmer. i upgraded my pump to an intex 2500 gph cartridge filter pump, hooked to a samp filter. I usually only use the cartridge when vacuuming, and let the sand filter do mosdt of the work. (I was given a sand filter set but the pump burned out so thats why i have the catridge filter)Welcome to TFP!
By the way, don't forget to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. It will come in handy later.
(Idea I got from this forum) If you get a weighted vacuum head, you can actually set it in the center of the pool upside down (no kiddos around) and let it act like a main drain for a bit. We do that if there are lots of "floaters" like you are describing (lots of trees, birds & squirrels around/above us). An adult (for responsibility’s sake) can walk/run around the perimeter to "create" a large whirlpool to encourage the stuff in the water to collect in the center mostly.
cfherrman
TFP Guide
Really those suctions don't help me that much at all. A brush will get you father then drains or a second suction port.
They can help with heating if that's your goal.
I will however I be adding one, as a vac fitting and it will be used only for vac as if you open anything else at all your skimmer barley works.
You can lazy vac by stirring up a 2' circle and let the vac sit there 15 mins, that will actually do it. Having people swim in the pool is excellent way to get that stuff to the skimmer.
They can help with heating if that's your goal.
I will however I be adding one, as a vac fitting and it will be used only for vac as if you open anything else at all your skimmer barley works.
You can lazy vac by stirring up a 2' circle and let the vac sit there 15 mins, that will actually do it. Having people swim in the pool is excellent way to get that stuff to the skimmer.
